biodiversity

Training Programme for NGC – Eco Club Teacher CoordinatorsDindigul District – Annamalaiar Hr.Sec.School Dindigul 25-02-2015

BIODIVERSITY - ITS IMPORTANCE AND

ITS CONSERVATIONProf. Dr. Raja Rajeswari

Head of the Department – ZoologyGTN Arts College –

Dindigul

BIODIVERSITY


Index:Biodiversity:Biodiversity meaning.Need of biodiversity.Classification of biodiversity.

Biodiversity at international level.Biodiversity at national level.

Causes of biodiversity:Threats to biodiversity.Effects of biodiversity.

Conservation of biodiversity:Methods to prevent biodiversity Loss.Conservation approaches.Conclusion.


BIODIVERSITY.


Biodiversity

Bio = LifeDiversity = Variety


Why Biodiversity Matters

Definition:

‘Biological diversity’ or biodiversity is that part of nature which includes

the differences in genes among the individuals of a species, the variety and richness of all the plant and animal species at different scales in space, locally, in a region, in the country and the world, and various types of ecosystems, both terrestrial and aquatic, within a defined area.


Why is biodiversity important?

Everything that lives in an ecosystem is part of the web of life, including humans. Each species of vegetation and each creature has a place on the earth and plays a vital role in the circle of life. Plant, animal, and insect species interact and depend upon one another for what each offers, such as food, shelter, oxygen, and soil enrichment.

Maintaining a wide diversity of species in each ecosystem is necessary to preserve the web of life that sustains all living things. In his 1992 best-seller, "The Diversity of Life," famed Harvard University biologist Edward O. Wilson -- known as the "father of biodiversity," -- said, "It is reckless to suppose that biodiversity can be diminished indefinitely without threatening humanity itself."

Biodiversity is Life Biodiversity is Our Life

Species diversity is the effective number of different species that are represented in a collection of individuals

Genetic diversity, the level of biodiversity refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.

Ecosystem diversity refers to the diversity of a place at the level of ecosystems. The term differs from biodiversity, which refers to variation in species rather than ecosystems.


• Includes the differences in DNA composition among individuals within a given species.

Genetic diversity

Includes diversity above the species level.

Ecosystem diversity

species = a particular type of organism; a population or group of populations whose members share certain characteristics and can freely breed with one another and produce fertile offspring

› Species diversity = the number or variety of species in a particular region

SPECIES DIVERSITY

Community diversity Habitat diversity Landscape diversity


• India is one of the 17 mega-diverse countries in the world.

• With only 2.4 % of the world’s area, India accounts for 7–8 % of recorded plant and animal species.• India’s ten biogeographic zones possess an exemplary diversity of ecological habitats like alpine forests, grasslands, wetlands, coastal and marine ecosystems, and desert ecosystems.• Amongst the existing biota, 91,307 species of animals of which 2,557 Protista, 12,470 general invertebrates, 69,903 arthropods, 4,994 vertebrates, and 45,500 species of plants as well as 5,650 microbial species have been documented in its 10 bio-geographic regions.• India has four out of thirty-four global biodiversity hotspots, which is an indicator of high degree of endemism (of species) in India.

• About 5,150 plant species and 1,837 animal species are endemic to India.

•India is known for its rich heritage of biodiversity.

•India’s biodiversity includes wild relatives of agricultural crops and

domesticated animals.


India has 16 major types and 251 subtypes of forests.

Indigenous medicine systems utilize nearly 6,500 native plants for both human and animal healthcare.

India’s diverse preponderance of native tribal and ethnic groups has contributed significantly in the

conservation and diversification of biodiversity. Its cultural and ethnic diversity includes over 550 tribal

communities of 227 ethnic groups spread over 5,000 forested villages. India proudly upholds the tradition

of nature conservation.

In 252 B.C., the Emperor Asoka established protected areas (PAs) for mammals, birds, fish and forests

through a proclamation. Jim Corbett National Park covering an area of 325 sq km came into being as the

India’s first and world’s third National Park in 1936.

India has currently 4.79 % of total geographic area under an elaborate network of PAs, which includes 99

National Parks, 513 wildlife sanctuaries, 43 conservation reserves, 4 community reserves and 3

biodiversity heritage sites.

India has a National Wildlife Action Plan, which envisages 10 % of the geographical area of the country

under PA coverage.

Training Programme for NGC – Eco Club Teacher Coordinators

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Causes of BIODIVERSITY


BENEFITS OF BIODIVERSITY

Consumptive value: Food/DrinkFuelMedicineBatter crop varietiesIndustrial MaterialNon-Consumptive Value:RecreationEducation and ResearchTraditional value

Ecological services:

Balance of nature

Biological productivity

Regulation of climate

Degradation of waste

Cleaning of air and water

Cycling of nutrients

Control of potential pest and disease causing species

Detoxification of soil and sediments

Stabilization of land against erosion

Carbon sequestration and global climate change

Maintenance of Soil fertility


Flora and fauna diversity depends on-ClimateAltitudeSoilsPresence of other species Most of the biodiversity concentrated in Tropical region.

BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS: A region with high biodiversity with most of spices being Endemic.India have two Biodiversity Hotspots- East Himalayan Region and Western Ghat


THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY

Natural causes:Narrow geographical areaLow populationLow breeding rateNatural disastersAnthropogenic causes:Habitat modificationOverexploitation of selected speciesInnovation by exotic species.PollutionHuntingGlobal warming and climate changeAgricultureDomino effect


Each species is classified within a hierarchy reflecting evolutionary relationships.

Two related species might be in the same genus; two related genera in the same family, etc.

Species and taxonomy

Training Programme for NGC – Eco Club Teacher Coordinators

Dindigul District – Annamalaiar Hr.Sec.School Dindigul 25-02-2015

Training Programme

for NGC – Eco Club Teacher CoordinatorsDindigul District Annamalaiar

Hr.Sec.School

Dindigul

25-02-2015

Training Programme for NGC – Eco Club Teacher

CoordinatorsDindigul District

Annamalaiar Hr.Sec.School

Dindigul

25-02-2015

Training Programme for NGC – Eco Club

Teacher Coordinato

rsDindigul District

Annamalaiar Hr.Sec.School Dindigul 25-02-

2015

Training Programme for NGC – Eco Club Teacher

CoordinatorsDindigul District

Annamalaiar Hr.Sec.School

Dindigul

25-02-2015

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Hr.Sec.School

Dindigul

25-02-2015

Threatened endangered species In India



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Within species, diversity exists in subspecies, or geographic variations.

The tiger, Panthera tigris, had 8 subspecies.5 persist today, including Panthera tigris altaica, the Siberian tiger.

Diversity of subspecies

Endangered golden lion tamarin, endemic to Brazil’s Atlantic rainforest, which has been almost totally destroyed.

CONSERVATION OF

BIODIVERSIT

Y

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• Various treaties have helped conserve biota.

• A major one is CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, prepared in 1973.

• It bans international trade and transport of body parts of endangered organisms.

Conservation approaches: International treaties

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), from the Rio Conference in 1992, aims to:• Conserve biodiversity

• Use it sustainably

• Ensure fair distribution of its benefits

The CBD has been signed by 188 nations, but not by the United States.

Conservation approaches: International treaties

Biodiversity is the variety of life forms on earth and the essential interdependence of all living things.As defined in convention on Biological diversity singed at Rio De Jenerio (Brazil) in 1992 by 154 countries, the Biodiversity defined as “the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic eco-systems and the ecological complexes of which the area part- this include diversity with in species, between species and of ecosystem.” According to IUCN in 1998, “the variety and variability of species of their population, the variety of species of their life forms, the diversity of the complex association with species with their interaction and their ecological process which influences perform.”

BIODIVERSITY CONVENSIONS

The first convention on biodiversity organized at Rio De Janerio, capital of Brazil from June 5 to 16, 1992 named as United Nation Conference On Environment and Development (UNCED), batter known as Rio Summit to maintain ecological balance and enrich biodiversity. The agreement on biodiversity signed by 150 countries including three programmes- To ensure conservation of biodiversitySustainable use of biodiversityRational and equitable share of profit to accrue from use of genetic resources.The second convention organized at Johannesburg in 2002 called World Summit On Sustainable Development (WSSD) where the Biodiversity and Sustainable Ecosystem Management was the issue.

The International Conference held on Biodiversity in Relation to Food & Human Security in a warming planet 15-17 February, 2010 in Chennai.International Conference on Wildlife & Biodiversity Conservation held on 3 to 5 June, 2010 at Dal lake, Srinagar, Kashmir.Indian Biodiversity Congress (IBC) & Indian Biodiversity Expo(IBE) will be held on 27-31 December at Thriuvananthapuram, Kerala

CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY: INSITU AND EX-SITU

In-situ conservation:Conservation of a species is best done by protectingits habitat along with all the other speciesthat live in it in nature.

Ex-sittu conservation: However, there are situations in which an endangered species is so close to extinction that unless alternatemethods are instituted, the species may be rapidlydriven to extinction.

Biodiversity inventoriesConserving Biodiversity in protected Habitats-In situ conservationEx situ conservationSeed Bank, Gene Bank, Pollen Bank, DNA

Bank

Restoration of BiodiversityImparting Environmental EducationEnacting, strengthening and enforcing Environmental LegislationPopulation ControlReviewing the agriculture practiceControlling Urbanization Conservation through Biotechnology

Biodiversity Conservation

In situ

Sacred groves

and lakes

Biosphere

ReservesTerrestr

ial

Marine

National parks, wildlife

sanctuaries

Ex situ

Sacred plant home garden

Seed Bank, Gene bank, Cryopreservation

Botanical garden, Zoological garden, Aquaria

• Extinction = last member of a species dies and the species vanishes forever from Earth

• Extirpation = disappearance of a particular population, but not the entire species globally

• These are natural processes.On average one species goes extinct naturally every 500–1,000

years—this is the background rate of extinction.

• 99% of all species that ever lived are now extinct.

Biodiversity loss and species extinction

Biophilia = human love for and attachment to other living things; “the connections that human beings subconsciously seek out with the rest of life”:

• Affinity for parks and wildlife• Keeping of pets• Valuing real estate with landscape views• Interest in escaping cities to go hiking, birding, fishing, hunting,

backpacking, etc.

Benefits of biodiversity: Biophilia

Do we have an ethical responsibility to prevent species extinction?

On one hand, as humans we need to use resources and consume other organisms to survive.

On the other hand, we have conscious reasoning ability and are able to make conscious decisions.

Ethics?

• Scientific discipline devoted to understanding the factors, forces, and processes that influence the loss, protection, and restoration of biological diversity within and among ecosystems.

• Applied and goal-oriented: conservation biologists intend to prevent extinction.

• This discipline arose in recent decades as biologists grew alarmed at the degradation of natural systems they had spent their lives studying.

Conservation biology

• Explains how species diversity patterns arise on islands, as a result of:

• Immigration

• Extinction• Island size

• Distance from the mainland

• The theory originally developed as basic science for oceanic islands.

• Then it was found to apply to islands of habitat (fragments) within terrestrial systems, for conservation biology.

Equilibrium theory of island biogeography

• This has worked so far for the California condor (in photo, condor hand puppet feeds chick so it imprints on birds, not humans).

• But this is worthless if there is not adequate habitat left in the wild.

• Many endangered species are being bred in zoos, to boost populations and reintroduce them into the wild.

Conservation approaches: Captive breeding

• When habitat is preserved to meet the needs of an “umbrella species,” it helps preserve habitat for many other species. (Thus, primary species serve as an “umbrella” for others.)

• Large species with large home ranges (like tigers and other top predators) are good umbrella species.

• So are flagship species, or charismatic species that win public affection, like the panda.

Conservation approaches: Umbrella species


Biodiversity hotspot = an area that supports an especially high number of species endemic to the area, found nowhere else in the world

Conservation approaches: Biodiversity hotspots


Global map of biodiversity hotspots, as determined by Conservation International.

Conservation approaches: Biodiversity hotspots


• Many environmentalists from developed nations who want to establish reserves in developing nations have been viewed with resentment by local people.

• But today many efforts work with local communities to get them invested in the conservation of their own natural resources.

• This community-based conservation makes efforts more complex, but will probably be more successful in the long run.

Conservation approaches: Community-based conservation

Conservation approaches: Economic incentives

Debt-for-nature swaps = a non-governmental organization (NGO) raises money and offers to pay off debt for a developing country, in exchange for parks, reserves, habitat protectionConservation concession = an NGO offers money to a developing nation’s government for a concession to some of its land—for conservation, rather than for resource extraction

CONCLUSION

Biodiversity is our life. If the Biodiversity got lost at this rate then in near future, the survival of human being will be threatened. So, it is our moral duty to conserve Biodiversity as well our Environment. Long-term maintenance of species and their management requires co-operative efforts across entire landscapes. Biodiversity should be dealt with at scale of habitats or ecosystems rather than at species level.

Key Messages

■ Biodiversity benefits people through more than just its contribution to material welfare and livelihoods.

Biodiversity contributes to security, resiliency, social relations, health, and freedom of choices and actions.

■ Changes in biodiversity due to human activities were more rapid in the past 50 years than at any time in human history, and the drivers of change that cause biodiversity loss and lead to changes in ecosystem services are either steady, show no evidence of declining over time, or are increasing in intensity.

Under the four plausible future scenarios developed by the MA, these rates of change in biodiversity are projected to continue, or to accelerate.■

Key Messages

Many people have benefited over the last century from the conversion of natural ecosystems to human-dominated ecosystems and from the exploitation of biodiversity.

At the same time, however, these gains have been achieved at growing costs in the form of losses in biodiversity, degradation of many ecosystem services, and the exacerbation of poverty for other groups of people.

■ The most important direct drivers of biodiversity loss and ecosystem service changes are habitat change (such as land use changes, physical modification of rivers or water withdrawal from rivers, loss of coral reefs, and damage to sea floors due to trawling), climate change, invasive alien species, overexploitation, and pollution. ■

Key Messages

Improved valuation techniques and information on ecosystem services demonstrate that although many individuals benefit from biodiversity loss and ecosystem change, the costs borne by society of such changes are often higher.

Even in instances where knowledge of benefits and costs is incomplete, the use of the precautionary approach may be warranted when the costs associated with ecosystem changes may be high or the changes irreversible.

■ To achieve greater progress toward biodiversity conservation to improve human well-being and reduce poverty, it will be necessary to strengthen response options that are designed with the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as the primary goal

Key Messages

These responses will not be sufficient, however, unless the indirect and direct drivers of change are addressed and the enabling conditions for implementation of the full suite of responses are established.

■ Trade-offs between achieving the 2015 targets of the Millennium Development Goals and the 2010 target of reducing the rate of biodiversity loss are likely, although there are also many potential synergies between the various internationally agreed targets relating to biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and development.

Coordinated implementation of these goals and targets would facilitate the consideration of trade-offs and synergies.■

Key Messages

An unprecedented effort would be needed to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss at all levels.

■ Short-term goals and targets are not sufficient for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems. Given the characteristic response times for political, socioeconomic, and ecological systems, longer-term goals and targets (such as for 2050) are needed to guide policy and actions.

■ Improved capability to predict the consequences of changes in drivers for biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and ecosystem services, together with improved measures of biodiversity, would aid decision-making at all levels.

■ Science can help ensure that decisions are made with the best available information, but ultimately the future of biodiversity will be determined by society.


On behalf of Director – Department of Environment – NGC District Coordinator –Dindigul Prof. Dr. Rajarajeswari was honoured.

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classification of biodiversity

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