Biodiversity Conservation issues and Achievements
Presented By
Prof. (Dr.) S. L. Kothari,
Director
Amity Institute of Biotechnology
Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur
Biodiversity Act and Convention on
Biological diversity
• India has one of the most extensive networks of
protected areas in the world
• India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity countries of
the world and one among the 192 signatories to the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at Earth
Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992
• And although it is still one of the most biologically
diverse countries in the world, the fight to save animal
species is only becoming more intense as the
population grows
According to Biological Diversity Act 2002, “Biodiversity is defined as the variety and variabilityamong living organisms and the ecological complexes inwhich they occur is measured at three levels viz., genes,
species and ecosystem”.
Convention on Biological Diversity
• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
in the year (1987) recognized the need to streamline
international efforts to protect biodiversity
• The UNEP Secretariat prepared the first draft and the
formal negotiating process was started in 1991
• The Inter-governmental Negotiating Committee for a
Convention on Biological Diversity (INC) was given
the task of ensuring the adoption of the Convention.
• On May 22, 1992 the nations of the world adopted
the CBD in Nairobi
• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was
negotiated and signed by nations at the UNCED Earth
Summit at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in June 1992
• The Convention came into force on December 29,
1993
• India became a Party to the Convention in 1994
• At present, there are 192 Parties to this Convention
The primary objectives
• Conservation of biological diversity
• Sustainable use of the components of biodiversity
• Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out ofthe utilization genetic resources and bio-resources
Taking cognizance of the International Convention onBiodiversity (CBD), and to address the excessivepressure on biodiversity, the Government of India hasenacted Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (BDA 2002)
The legislation aims at regulating access tobiological resources so as to ensure equitablesharing of benefits arising from their use
The Biological Diversity Bill, which wasintroduced in the Parliament in 15th May, 2000,was referred to the Department related to Science,Technology, Environment & Forests forexamination of report
After examination of witnesses and recordingevidences, the Standing Committee approved theBill with some amendments
Cont,,,
The Cabinet approved the proposal for moving theofficial amendments based upon therecommendations of the Committee
The Biological Diversity Bill 2002 has been passedby the Lok Sabha on 2nd December, 2002 and by theRajya Sabha on 11th December, 2002.
(Biological Diversity Bill 2002)
SALIENT FEATURES
• To regulate access to biological resources of thecountry equitable share in benefits arising out ofthe use of biological resources
• To conserve and sustainable use of biologicaldiversity
• Setting up of National Biodiversity Authority(NBA), State Biodiversity Board (SBB) andBiodiversity Management Committee’s. (BMC’s)
• To respect and protect knowledge of localcommunities traditional knowledge related tobiodiversity
• To secure sharing of benefits with local people asconservers of biological resources and holders ofknowledge and information relating to the use ofbiological resources
• Conservation and development of areas ofimportance from the standpoint of biologicaldiversity by declaring them as biological diversityheritage sites
Protection and rehabilitation of threatened species
Involvement of institutions of State Government inthe broad scheme of the implementation of theBiological Diversity Act through constitution ofcommittees
Protect India’s rich biodiversity and associatedknowledge against their use by foreign individualsand organizations without sharing benefits arisingout of such use and check Bio-piracy
Provisions for notifying heritage sites by StateGovernment in consultation with local body
Summary of Biological Diversity Act, 2002
12 Chapters
65 Sections and many subsections
Notified Notifications and Rules
Management structure of Biodiversity Act
A three tiered structure at the national, state and locallevel is envisaged
Chapter – I Preliminary – Terminologies and Definitions
Chapter – II Regulations of access to Biological Diversity
Chapter – III Establishment of National Biodiversity Authority
Chapter – IV Functions and Powers of National Biodiversity Authority
Chapter – V Approval by the National Biodiversity Authority for understanding
certain activities
Chapter – VI Establishment of State Biodiversity Board
Chapter – VI Finance, Accounts and Audit of National Biodiversity Authority
Chapter – VII Finance, Accounts and Audit of State Biodiversity Authority
Chapter – IX Duties of the Central and State Governments
Chapter – X Constitution of State Biodiversity Management Committees
Chapter – XI Local Biodiversity Fund
Chapter – XII Miscellaneous
National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (Sub-Section (1) (4) of
Section 8), the Central Government has established a body
called the National Biodiversity Authority, on 1st
October,
2003.
The main functions of the Authority are :
• To lay down procedures and guidelines to govern theactivities provided under Section 3, 4, and 6. (Permissionto foreigners/NRI’s foreign companies)
• For obtaining any biological resource (Section -3)
• For transferring the results of any research (Section -4).
• Certain collaborative research projects exempted (Section 5)
State Biodiversity Boards (SBB)
All matters relating to access by Indians forcommercial purposes will be under the purview ofthe State Biodiversity Boards (SBB)
The Indian industry will be required to provideprior intimation to the concerned SBB about the useof biological resource
The State Board will have the power to restrict anysuch activity, which violates the objectives ofconservation, sustainable use and equitable sharingof benefits
Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs)
Institutions of local state government will berequired to set up biodiversity managementCommittees in their respective areas forconservation, sustainable use, documentation ofbiodiversity and chronicling of knowledge relatingto biodiversity.
NBA and SBBs are required to consult theconcerned BMCs on matters related to use ofbiological resources and associated knowledgewithin their jurisdiction
People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR)
The Register shall contain comprehensive
information on availability and knowledge of local
biological resources, their medicinal or any other use
or any other traditional knowledge associated with
them
The main function of BMC is to prepare Peoples’
Biodiversity Registers (PBR) in consultation with the
local people.
The documentation of PBR by the BMCs includes
information on bio-resources and associated
knowledge gathered from individuals
Establishment of comprehensive PBRs would not
only help to inventories and document the local
biological and genetic resources, but also to
conserve and sustainably use the bio-cultural
diversity for rewarding income generation
(Gadgil 1996, 2006).
Present activities
NBA has, for the first time channelized the
royalty amount of 20,000/- to Amarchinta BMC
in Mahboobnagar district of Andhra Pradesh for
the export of neem leaves to Japan. This is the
first case of benefit sharing in the country
enabled through NBA which has been
accomplished as per the provisions of Biological
Diversity Act
MoEF Report 2009 - 10
Biodiversity in Rajasthan at a Glance
Presented By
Prof. (Dr.) S. L. Kothari,
Director
Amity Institute of Biotechnology
Amity University Rajasthan, Jaipur
Total Area: 342,239 km2
Districts: 33Population: 68,621,012Density: 201/km2
Political Map of Rajasthan
Rajasthan at a Glance
• The northwestern portion -> sandy and dry.
• Covered by the Thar Desert which extends into adjoining
portions of Pakistan.
• The Thar Desert is thinly populated.
• This region receives less than 400 mm of rain in an average year.
• The Aravalli Range does not intercept the moisture-giving southwest monsoon winds off the Arabian Sea, as it lies in a direction parallel to that of the coming monsoon winds, leaving the northwestern region in a rain shadow.
•Temperatures can exceed 45 °C in the summer and below freezing point in the winter.
• The Luni River and its tributaries are the major river system of desert region.
• This system is draining the western slopes of the Aravallis and emptying southwest into the great Rann of Kutch wetland in neighboring Gujarat.
• The Ghaggar River, which originates in Haryana, is an intermittent stream that disappears into the sands of the TharDesert in the northern corner of the state and is seen as a remnant of the primitive Saraswati River.
• The Aravalli Range and the lands to the east and southeast of the range are generally more fertile and better watered
• Eastern and southeastern Rajasthan is drained by the Banas and Chambal rivers, tributaries of the Ganges.
River System of Rajasthan
Economy• Rajasthan's economy is
primarily agricultural and pastoral.
• Wheat, Pearl-millet and Barley are cultivated over large areas, as are pulses, sugarcane, and oil seeds.
• Cash Crops: Cotton and tobacco are the state's cash crops. Rajasthan is among the largest producers of edible oils in India and the second largest producer of oil seeds.
• Rajasthan is also the biggest wool-producing state in India and the main opium producer and consumer. There are mainly two crop seasons.
Sugarcane
Pearl-millet
Barley
Wheat Cotton
Castor Oil Seeds
• The water for irrigation comes from wells and tanks.
• The Indira Gandhi Canal irrigates northwestern Rajasthan.
• The main industries are mineral based, agriculture based and textiles. Rajasthan is the second largest producer of polyester fiber in India.
• Rajasthan is pre-eminent in quarrying and mining in India.
• The Taj Mahal was built from the white marble which was mined from a town called ‘Makrana’.
• Rajasthan is presently earning rupees 15 Crore per day as revenue from crude oil sector which is presently 1.75 Lakh barrel per day.
Tourism
• Rajasthan is famous for its forts, intricately carved temples, and decorated ‘havelis’, which were built by ‘Rajput’ kings.
• Rajasthan attracts about 14 percent of total foreign visitors which is the fourth highest among Indian states.
• It is fourth also in Domestic tourist visitors. Endowed with natural beauty and a great history, tourism is a flourishing industry in Rajasthan.
• The palaces of Jaipur, Ajmer-Pushkar, the lakes of Udaipur, the desert forts of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer rank among the most preferred destinations in India for many tourists both Indian and foreign.
• Tourism accounts for eight percent of the state's domestic product.
Amber FortChittaurgarh Fort Hawa Mahal (Jaipur)
City Palace (Jaipur) City Palace in Udaipur Jaisalmer Fort
Jaigarh Fort Mehrangarh Fort (Jodhpur)Junagarh Fort (Bikaner)
Plant Biodiversity at Rajasthan
ANGIOSPERMS
Wild SpeciesAgro-horticultural Species
1714320Total 2034
GYMNOSPERMS Wild Species 01
CRYPTOGAMS Liverworts & Hornworts MossesFerns
37
4260
Plants of special interest Red data SpeciesOrchids
0214
TerrestrialEpiphyticParasitic SpeciesCarnivorous SpeciesEndemic SpeciesMedicinal Plant Species
0806100519157+
Largest Tree of State Baniyan (Madri, Udaipur)
Largest Climber of State Joganbel (Bauhinia vahlii), (Pargiapara, Udaipur)
• Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce
• State tree of Rajasthan
• Also called life line of Rajasthan
• It provide food and fodder under extreme drought
• It can thrive well under extreme desert conditions
Interesting Diversity in Angiosperms of Rajasthan
Capparis decidua
• Kair• Fruits used for pickle and vegetable• Fruits can be stored after drying for a long
period
Acacia senegal• Source of economically important Gum
arabic• Used in various folk medicine• As a neutraceuticle• Seeds are used in vegetable
Tecomella undulata
Marwar Teak (Rohida)Famous for durable timberGrow well in drought prone area
Calligonum polygonoides
• Called phog
• It is is a small shrub of about 4 feet to 6 feet high.
• Its charcoal is used to melt iron.
• Its flowers are used to prepare Rayata.
• The plant is fed to cattle.
• It is an important part of the habitat for semi-desert wildlife.
Calotropis procera
• Also called AaK and Madar• Can grow well on wasteland• It has aesthetic value and offered to God Shiva• Flowers are rich in catechin a secondary metabolite
so it has medicinal value
Tribulus terrestris
• Also called Gokharu• Grow during rainy season as weeds• Fruits are used as neutraceuticles
Leptadenia pyrotechnica
• Grow well on sand dunes• Can be used in sand dune stabilization• Branches used in making roof of hut• Also used in making ropes and handicraft items
Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari
• Grow well under drought prone areas• Remain leafless during summer• Leafy during rainy season• Gives oleogum resin, which has steroides –used
in disease and disorders related to heart.• Endangered due to over exploitation
Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.
• Also called Tumba or Indrayan
• Fruits are dried and used as feed supplement for ruminants
• Seeds are rich in oil
• Seed oil can be used as bio-fuel
• Roots and fruits can be usedin treatments of jaundice,Asthma, cough, cold, skindiseases, wounds, diabetesand urinary tract disorders.
Cucumis melo
Grewia tenax (Forsk.)
• Called Gangeti
• Use in treatment of rheumatism, cough and tuberculosis
• Also used in making agricultural implements
Aegle marmelos
• Called bael• Got aesthetic value leaves “Bilvapatra” offered to God
Shiva• Fruit and pulp are used in treatment of digestive
problems.
Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del.
• It has fruit pulp with great detergent properties• Seed oil is having diosgenin, which can be used
as contraceptive• Seed oil is edible.
Ziziphus nummularia
• Bushy in nature
• Gives fodder, which can be dried and stored
• Gives fruits of economic value
• The leaves are used to treat scabies and other skin diseases
Opuntia dillenii
• Called nagphani or thor• Thrives on rocky and sandy areas• It has got anti fertility potential in male rats so male
contraceptives can be developed using this plant. • It provide habitat to several small plants and
animals.
Withania somnifera• Commonly known as ashwagandha
• It possesses anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antistress, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and rejuvenating properties.
• It also appears to exert a positive influence on the endocrine, cardiopulmonary, and central nervous systems.
• Toxicity studies reveal that ashwagandha appears to be a safe compound.
• Commonly called Miswak/ Jaal• Used as brush teeth• Leaves are used in rheumatism and scurvy. • Stem bark is used as tonic. • Fruits are edible
Salvadora persica
Boswellia serrata
• Called Indian olibanum or Salai• Used in treatment of skin disease• Used as ointment • The resin from this plant has long been used in Ayurvedic
medicine as a remedy for arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, bursitis, diarrhea, dysentery, goiter, liver problems and rheumatism.
• It is used to reduce inflammation, stiffness and joint pain.
Butea monosperma
• Called flame of the forest or palash• It is used as astringent and diuratic• It is also used in treatment of snake bite• Its flowers are source of natural dye
Conservation of biodiversity
Strategies:
In situ: Habitat conservation, national parks and sanctuaries
Ex situ: in vitro cultures, botanical gardens, gene banks, arborata, cryo banks
Micropropagation a way out
• In vitro mass multiplication of endangered plants.
• Getting clonal propagules will lead to farmer friendly approach.
• Developing variation through callus culture will serve the purpose of improvement of plants and increasing tolerance.
• Cryo-preservation
Animal Biodiversity at Rajasthan
Type Number of Species
FISH AMPHIBIANS REPTILES MAMMALS BIRDS
114146787510
Some Interesting Aspects of FaunaEndangered Mammals Endangered ReptilesCrt. Endangered BirdsEndangeredVulnerableConservation dependentThreatenedRed data Bird species
16080302130114
Animals: Schedule IMammalsReptilesBirds
15056 (+ Accipitridae)
National Parks (03)
S.No.
Protected Area
District(s)Area(Sq.
Km.)Main wild life
1. RanthamboreSawaiMadhopur
282.03Tiger, Panther, Bear, Sambhar, Chital
2.Keola-dev (Ghana) Bharatpur 28.73
Resident and migratory Birds, Chital, Python, Blue Bull, Sambhar
3.Mukundrahills (Darrah)
Kota, Chhitorgarh
199.55Panther, Chinkara, Bear, Chital, hyena, wild boar
Blue Bull
Python Chinkara
Chital Tiger Panther
Hyena Wild Boar Sambhar
S. No. Protected Area District(s) Area(Km.2) Main wild life
1. Bandh-baretha Bharatpur 199.24 Resident and migratory Birds
2. Sariska Alwar 492.29Tiger, Panther, Chital, Sambhar, Porcupine
3. Sariska ‘A’ Alwar 3.01 Sambhar, Chital, Panther
4.Desert National Park
Jaisalmer, Barmer
3162Chinkara, Desert Cat, Fox, Great Indian Bustard
5.Ramgarh-Vishdhari
Bundi 307Panther, hyena, Sloth Bear, jackal, Fox, Chital
6. Kesar Bagh Dholpur 14.76 Wolf, hyena, Fox, Chital
7. Ram Sagar Dholpur 34.40 Wolf, hyena, Fox, Chital
8. Van Vihar Dholpur 25.60Bear, Wolf, Chital, hyena, Fox, Wild Cat
9. Kaila-deviKarauli, Sawai madhopur
676.82Panther, Chital, Chinkara, Sambhar, Bear, hyena, Wild Boar, Wolf
10. SitamataChhitorgarh, Udaipur
422.94Flying Squirrel, Panther, Wild Cat, Sambhar, hyena, Civet
Wild Life Sanctuaries in Rajasthan (26)
S. No.
Protected Area
District(s) Area(Sq.Km.) Main wild life
11.Bhainsrod-garh
Chhitorgarh 201.4Panther, Sloth Bear, Four horned antelope, Chinkara, hyena, Fox
12. Sher-garh Baran 81.67 Panther, Chital, Chinkara, Wild Boar
13. DarrahKota, Jhalawar
239.76Panther, Wolf, Jackal, Chital, Fox, Sambhar, Sloth Bear, Porcupine
14.JawaharSagar
Kota, Bundi, Chhitorgarh
220.09Panther, Bear, Wolf, Ghariyal, Crocodile, Chital, Hyena, Fox, Jackal
15.National Chambal Ghariyal
S. madhopur, Bundi, Karauli,
Dholpur, Kota,
280Ghariyal, Crocodile, Tortoise, Dolphin, Bear, Chinkara, Otter
16. Bassi Chhitorgarh 138.69 Chital, Chinkara, Panther, Hyena, Wild Cat
17. Tal-Chhapar Churu 7.19 Black Buck, Resident birds,
18. Nahar-garh Jaipur 52.4 Hyena, Jackal, Fox, Hare
19.Jamwa-Ramgarh
Jaipur 300 Panther, Chital, Wild Boar, Hyena, Jackal
S. No.
Protected Area District(s) Area(Sq.Km.) Main wild life
20. Sajjan-garh Udaipur 5.19Panther, Hyena, Wild Cat, Jackal, Fox
21.Phulwari- ki-naal
Udaipur 511.4Panther, Hyena, Wild Cat, Jackal, Fox
22. Todgarh-RaoliRajsamand, Pali, Ajmer
475.23Panther, Hyena, Wolf, Green Pigeon, Jungle fowl
23. Jaisamand Udaipur 52.34Resident Birds, Hyena, Jackal, Chinkara
24. Kumbhal-garhUdaipur, Pali, Rajsamand
610.528Panther, Sloth Bear, Hyena, wild boar, Four Horned antelope, Sambhar
25. Mount Abu Sirohi 326.1Panther, Bear, Hyena, Wolf, Porcupine
26. Sawai Man SinghSawai madhopur
113.07Tiger, Panther, Hyena, Fox, Bear, Chital, Sambhar
Four-horned antelope African Green Pigeon Desert Cat
Black Buck Indian civet Jackal
Otter Porcupine Indian Sloth Bear
Conservation Reserves (10)S.No.
Protected Area District(s) Area(Sq.Km.) Main wild life
1. Bisalpur Reserve Tonk 48.31 Black Buck, Wolf, jackal, Hyena,
2.Jod Beed Gaadwala
Bikaner 56.46 Black Buck, Wild Cat, wild boar
3. Sundha MataJalore, Sirohi
117.49Panther, Bear, Wolf, Hyena, Chinkara
4.Gudha Vishnoiyan
Jodhpur 2.31 Chinkara, Black Buck, Wild boar
5. Shakambhari Sikar 131Sambhar, Porcupine, Fox, wild Cat, Hyena
6. Gogelao Nagaur 3.58 Chinkara, Hare, Black Buck
7. Bir JhunjhunuJhunjhunu
10.47Hare, Hedge-hog, Resident and Migratory Birds
8. Rotu Nagaur 0.73 Chinkara, Hare, Black Buck
9. Ummed Ganj Kota 2.78 Resident and migratory birds
10. Jawai-bandh Pali 19.78Panther, Crocodile, Four Horned Antelope
Biodiversity
Diversity = Variety
Bio What?
•Biodiversity is the variety of all life forms: the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, their genes and the ecosystems of which they are a part.
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.
The word BIODIVERSITY
originates from the Greek word BIOS = LIFE and Latin word DIVERSITAS = VARIETY or DIFFERENCE.The whole word BIO DIVERSITY generally therefore means: VARIETY OF
LIFE.
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."
Speciesdiversity 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.
Genetic diversity
• Includes the differences in DNA composition among individuals within a given species.
• Adaptation to particular environmental conditions may weed out genetic variants that are not successful.
• But populations benefit from some genetic diversity, so as to avoid inbreeding or disease epidemics.
Includes diversity above the species level.Biologists have viewed diversity above the species level in various ways. Some alternative ways to categorize it include:
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 richness = number of species
› Evenness, or relative abundance = extent to which numbers of different species are equal or skewed
SPECIES DIVERSITY
Community diversity
Habitat diversity
Landscape diversity
• India is known for its rich heritage of biodiversity.• 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 the world’s 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’s biodiversity includes wild relatives of agricultural crops and domesticated animals.
Causes of BIODIVERSITY
BENEFITS OF BIODIVERSITY
Consumptive value:
Food/Drink
Fuel
Medicine
Batter crop varieties
Industrial Material
Non-Consumptive Value:
Recreation
Education and Research
Traditional 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-
Climate
Altitude
Soils
Presence 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 area
Low population
Low breeding rate
Natural disasters
Anthropogenic causes:
Habitat modification
Overexploitation of selected species
Innovation by exotic species.
Pollution
Hunting
Global warming and climate change
Agriculture
Domino effect
Species and taxonomy
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.
Threatened endangered species In India
Diversity of subspecies
Within species, diversity exists in subspecies, or geographic variations.
The tiger, Pantheratigris, had 8 subspecies.5 persist today, including Pantheratigris altaica, the Siberian tiger.
Endangered golden lion tamarin, endemic to Brazil’s Atlantic rainforest, which has been almost totally destroyed.
CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
CONSERVATION OF
BIODIVERSITY
CONSERVATION OF
BIODIVERSITY
Conservation of Biodiversity
Conservation approaches: International treaties
• 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.
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 biodiversity
Sustainable use of biodiversity
Rational 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 protecting its habitat along with all the other species that live in it in nature.
Ex-situ conservation:However, there are situations in which an endangered species is so close to extinction that unless alternate methods are instituted, the species may be rapidly driven to extinction.
Biodiversity inventories
Conserving Biodiversity in protected
Habitats-
In situ conservation
Ex situ conservation
Seed Bank, Gene Bank, Pollen Bank,
DNA Bank
Restoration of Biodiversity
Imparting Environmental Education
Enacting, strengthening and enforcing
Environmental Legislation
Population Control
Reviewing the agriculture practice
Controlling Urbanization
Conservation through Biotechnology
Biodiversity Conservation
In situ
Sacred groves
and lakes
Biosphere Reserves
Terrestrial
Marine
National parks, wildlife
sanctuaries
Ex situ
Sacred plant home garden
Seed Bank, Gene bank,
Cryopreservation
Botanical garden, Zoological
garden, Aquaria
Biodiversity loss and species extinction
• 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.
Benefits of biodiversity: Biophilia
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.
Ethics?
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.
Conservation biology
• 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.
Equilibrium theory of island biogeography
• 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.
Conservation approaches: Captive breeding
• Many endangered species are being bred in zoos, to boost populations and reintroduce them into the wild.
• 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.
Conservation approaches: Umbrella species
• 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: Biodiversity hotspots
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: Community-based conservation
• 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: 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.