Biodiversity

What is Biodiversity
▪ The term biodiversity is made up of two words - bio and
diversity.
▪ Variability (including terrestrial, marine and other ecosystems)
▪ Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) in Rio Earth
Summit
▪ India ranks 10th among the plant rich countries of the
world, 11th in terms of number of endemic species of
higher vertebrates and 6th among the centers of diversity
and origin of agricultural crops.
 Levels of Biodiversity
▪ Genetic diversity
▪ different varieties of rice,
mangoes, dogs etc.
Levels of Biodiversity
▪ Species Diversity
▪ Horses and donkeys are distinct
species, as are lions and tigers.
Levels of Biodiversity
▪ Ecosystem Diversity
▪ within a biogeographical political
boundary.
1. Global Biodiversity
Global biodiversity refers to the total variety of life forms across the planet. Some key aspects include:
•Species Diversity: There are approximately 8.7 million estimated species on Earth, but only around 2 million have
been identified.
•Hotspots: Areas like the Amazon Rainforest, Congo Basin, and Coral Triangle are rich in biodiversity.
•Threats: Climate change, habitat destruction, deforestation, invasive species, and pollution are major threats.
•Conservation Efforts: Organizations like IUCN, WWF, and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) work on
conservation policies and initiatives like the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the Kunming-Montreal Global
Biodiversity Framework.
2. National Biodiversity (India’s Biodiversity)
India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries, hosting 7-8% of the world’s biodiversity. Some highlights:
•Species Richness:
• Over 102,000 species of fauna and 49,000 species of flora.
• Includes endemic species like the Indian Lion, Bengal Tiger, and Himalayan Blue Poppy.
•Ecosystem Diversity:
• Himalayan, Indo-Gangetic, Desert, Coastal, and Island ecosystems.
• Mangroves, grasslands, wetlands, and rainforests.
•Conservation Measures:
• Legislation: Wildlife Protection Act (1972), Forest Conservation Act (1980), and Biodiversity Act (2002).
• Protected Areas: 106 National Parks, 573 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 18 Biosphere Reserves.
• Programs: Project Tiger, Project Elephant, National Biodiversity Action Plan.
3. Local Biodiversity
Local biodiversity refers to species and ecosystems found in a specific region, village, city, or community. It includes:
•Flora and Fauna of Local Forests, Lakes, or Grasslands: Example – Medicinal plants in the Western Ghats or mangroves in
coastal regions.
•Agricultural Biodiversity: Traditional crop varieties (e.g., indigenous rice varieties in India).
•Community Conservation Efforts:
• Sacred Groves: Traditional forest patches protected by local communities.
• Community Forest Reserves: Managed by tribes and rural communities for sustainable use.
• Urban Biodiversity: Parks, lakes, and green corridors in cities promoting native species.
 Values of biodiversity
▪ Productive Value
▪ Like silk from silk-worm, wool from sheep, fir of many animals,
▪ lac from lac insects etc.
▪ Ecological Services
▪ Prevention of soil erosion, prevention of floods, maintenance of soil
fertility, cycling of nutrients, fixation of nitrogen, cycling of water, their
role as carbon sinks, pollutant absorption and reduction of the threat of
global warming etc.
 Values of biodiversity
▪ Survival
▪ Food:
▪ Fuel:
▪ Health and Healing
▪ About 75% of the world population depends upon different plants or plant extracts for
medicines.
▪ Ethical and Aesthetic Value
▪ Tulsi, Peepal etc.
▪ Aesthetic value of biodiversity and this type of tourism is now known as eco-tourism.
Hot spots of Biodiversity
▪ A biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of
biodiversity that is under threat from humans
▪ These have been identified based on three criteria:
▪ The number of species present.
▪ Endemism (The number of those species found exclusively in an
ecosystem).
▪ The degree of threat they face.
1.The region should have at least 1500 species of vascular plants i.e., it should have
a high degree of endemism.
2.It must contain 30% (or less) of its original habitat, i.e. it must be threatened.
Hot spots of Biodiversity
▪ Hot Spots of India
▪ The Western Ghats
▪ The Eastern Himalayas
▪ Indo-Burma
▪ Sundaland (Nicobar island)

There are 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world. They

represent just 2.4% of Earth’s land surface, but they
support more than half of the world’s plant species
as endemics – i.e., species found no place else –
and nearly 43% of bird, mammal, reptile and
amphibian species as endemics.
Endangered species
▪ Red panda, Gir lion, Gharial, Great
Indian bustard etc. are some
endangered animal species of India.
Vulnerable species
▪ likely to become endangered unless the
circumstances that are threatening its
survival and reproduction improve.
▪ vulnerable species in India: Sarus crane,
Nilgiri Langur, Barasingha etc.
Rare species
▪ very uncommon, scarce, or infrequently encountered.
▪ They are not endangered, but classified as "at risk".

Rare Plants of India

1.Nepenthes khasiana (Indian Pitcher Plant) – A carnivorous
plant found in Meghalaya, known for its pitcher-shaped leaves
that trap insects.
2.Sapria himalayana – A rare, parasitic flowering plant related
to Rafflesia, found in Northeast India.
3.Cycas beddomei – A critically endangered cycad species
native to the Eastern Ghats.
4.Psilotum nudum (Whisk Fern) – A primitive fern-like plant
with no true leaves, found in moist regions.
5.Saussurea obvallata (Brahma Kamal) – A rare Himalayan
flower that blooms at night and is associated with spirituality.
Rare Animals of India
1.Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania) – The world’s smallest wild pig,
found in Assam’s grasslands.
2.Malabar Civet (Viverra civettina) – A nocturnal, critically
endangered civet native to the Western Ghats.
3.Namdapha Flying Squirrel (Biswamoyopterus biswasi) – A
rare flying squirrel found only in Arunachal Pradesh.
4.Hangul (Cervus hanglu hanglu) – Also called the Kashmir stag,
this deer species is found in Jammu and Kashmir.
5.Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) – A rare primate
endemic to the Western Ghats, known for its distinctive silver
mane.
6.Dugong (Dugong dugon) – A marine herbivorous mammal
found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Gulf of Mannar.
7.Sangai Deer (Rucervus eldii eldii) – A rare brow-antlered deer
endemic to Manipur’s Loktak Lake.
Red Data Book
▪ Red data book is the document established by International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for documenting the rare and endangered
species of plants, animals, fungi and also a few local species that exist
within a state or country.
 Endangered black buck

▪ Restricted in some parts of Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan,

Uttaranchal and Haryana.
Endemic Species
▪ The plant or animal species confined to a particular region and having
originated there or a species which occur continuously in that area are
known as endemic species. Restriction of species or taxa in small
region is known as endemism.
▪ True Cardamoum (Eletaria repens), Peepal (Ficus religiosa), Palash
tree (Butea monosperma), Bargat (Ficus bengalensis), etc. are some
of the endemic plants of India.
▪ One-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis), Tahr (Nilgiritragus
hylocrius), Snow leopard (Panthera uncia), Royal Bengal tiger
(Panthera tigris tigris), Gir lion (Panthera leo persica) etc. are some of
the endemic animals of India.
EDGE species
▪ Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally
Endangered (EDGE) species represent a
disproportionate amount of unique
evolutionary history. They have few close
relatives, are often the only surviving
member of their genus, and sometimes the
last surviving genus of their evolutionary
family.
▪ Some EDGE species, such as elephants
and pandas, are well known.
Threats to biodiversity
1. Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
Definition: The destruction or alteration of natural habitats due to human activities such as deforestation, urbanization,
and agriculture.
Causes:
•Deforestation: Large-scale clearing of forests for agriculture, infrastructure, and settlements.
•Urbanization: Expanding cities encroach upon forests, wetlands, and grasslands.
•Agricultural Expansion: Monoculture farming and overgrazing reduce biodiversity.
•Infrastructure Development: Roads, dams, and mining disrupt ecosystems.
Impact:
•Species lose their natural habitat and face extinction.
•Fragmentation isolates animal populations, leading to genetic decline.
•Disrupts food chains and ecosystem services like pollination and water regulation.
Examples:
•The Amazon Rainforest is shrinking due to logging and agriculture.
•India’s Western Ghats face habitat destruction from plantations and human encroachments.
2. Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade
Definition: The illegal hunting, capturing, and trade of wildlife for commercial benefits.
Causes:
•High demand for animal products: Skins, horns, bones, and body parts are used for luxury goods, traditional medicine, and
ornaments.
•Weak law enforcement: Lack of strict penalties encourages poaching.
•Poverty and lack of alternatives: Local communities may engage in poaching for livelihood.
Impact:
•Decline of key species like tigers, rhinos, and elephants.
•Disruption of food chains and ecosystems.
•Encourages organized crime and illegal trade networks.
Examples:
•Tigers in India are poached for their bones and skin, despite conservation efforts like Project Tiger.
•One-horned Rhinos in Assam are targeted for their horns, believed to have medicinal properties.
•Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals due to high demand for their scales.
Conservation Efforts:
•Stronger laws: The Wildlife Protection Act (1972) in India.
•Anti-poaching squads and stricter enforcement.
•International cooperation: CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
Conservation of Biodiversity
▪ Wildlife conservation is the practice of
protecting animal species and their habitats.
▪ There are two approaches of biodiversity
conservation:
▪ In situ Conservation: Protection of species in
their natural habitat.
▪ Ex situ Conservation: Protection in a place
away from their natural habitat.
In-situ Conservation
▪ National Parks
▪ A national park conserves the environment
and natural objects and wildlife therein.
National parks are areas dedicated to
conserve wild animals and natural scenery
of the environment. All private rights are
non existent and all forestry operations and
other activities such as grazing of domestic
animals is prohibited. No human
inhabitation is allowed in the park apart
from on duty public servants and people
allowed by chief wildlife warden. It
comprises the core zone.
In-situ Conservation
▪ Wildlife sanctuaries
▪ A wildlife sanctuary is an area specially
designated where it is illegal to interfere in
anyway with the natural life there. Hunting,
shooting and fishing would be prohibited.
▪ Wildlife sanctuary is a place where killing or
capturing of any animal is prohibited except
under orders of the authorities concerned. they
provide protection and optimum living
conditions to wild animals.
▪ A wildlife sanctuary is dedicated the wildlife but
it considers the conservation of species only in
addition , its boundary is not limited by state
legislation.
In-situ Conservation
▪ Biosphere reserves
▪ Biosphere reserves are areas of
terrestrial and coastal
ecosystems promoting solutions
to reconcile the conservation of
biodiversity with its sustainable
use. They are internationally
recognized, nominated by
national governments and remain
under sovereign jurisdiction of
the states where they are
located.
As of November 2023, India has designated a total of 1,022 protected areas, encompassing approximately 178,640.69
square kilometers, which is about 5.43% of the country's geographical area.
These protected areas include:
•106 National Parks
•573 Wildlife Sanctuaries
•18 Biosphere Reserves
In-situ Conservation
▪ Advantages
▪ Ecological integrity is maintained and managed
▪ Better opportunity for conservation as well as evolution
▪ Cheaper way of conservation.
▪ Disadvantages
▪ Less protection against pollution
▪ Poachers and Eco tourists may cause damage
In-situ Conservation
▪ Zones of a biosphere reserve
▪ Core zone
▪ In core or natural zone human activity is not allowed. This
area is legally protected and undisturbed ecosystem.
▪ Buffer zone
▪ The immediate surrounding area of core zone is buffer
zone. Here limited human activities live like research,
education and research strategy is permitted.
▪ Transition zone
▪ transition zone is the outermost or peripheral area of
biosphere reserve. With the cooperation of reserve
management and local people several human activities like
settlements, cropping, recreation, and forestry are carried
out without disturbing the environment.
▪ Restoration zone
▪ Through the restoration activities selected degraded area
called restoration region is restored to natural form. This is
a part of Buffer zone.
In-situ Conservation
Objectives Features Zone

National Parks Conservation of species of a No person resides in the park Core

habitat with minimal or very other than public servants on duty
low intensity of human and persons permitted by the
activities chief wildlife warden

Wildlife Conservation of species and No person resides in the park Core, Buffer and
Sanctuary habitats by manipulative other than public servants on duty Restoration
management and persons permitted by the
chief wildlife warden

Biosphere Conservation of natural Both natural and human- Core, Buffer,

Reserves resources and the influenced ecosystems; substantial Restoration and
improvement of the human settlement Transition
relationship between humans
and the environment
Ex-situ Conservation
Aquaria:
▪ The aquaria are mainly used for the
threatened and endangered fresh
water species.
Zoo:
▪ In the past, zoos were mainly display
facilities for the purpose of public
enjoyment and education. As large
numbers of the species traditionally
on display have become rarer in the
wild, many zoos have taken on the
additional role of building up
numbers through captive breeding
programmes.
Ex-situ Conservation
Botanical Gardens:
▪ Botanical gardens are used for the
conservation of rare and endangered
plant species for study and research
of specific plant characters and for
disseminating scientific information
and experiences to promote
sustainable development.
Gene Bank:
Seed Bank
▪ Pollen Bank
▪ Sperm Bank
▪ Ova Bank
Ex-situ Conservation
▪ Tissue Culture Technique:
▪ Tissue culture refers to a special technique
used for asexual propagation in plants a very
small piece of shoot apex ,leaf section or even
an individual cell is cut and placed in a sterile
culture in a test tube, petri dish.
▪ DNA technology:
▪ DNA of plant or animal cell or a part of it to be
conserved. DNA technology can provide an
innovative and effective approach for
biodiversity conservation
Ex-situ Conservation
▪ Advantages
▪ Organisms are completely protected from predation and poaching
▪ The species survive longer and may breed more offspring than
usual
▪ The quality of offspring may be improved by genetic techniques
▪ Breeding of hybrid species is possible.
▪ Disadvantages
▪ Animals may not behave as normal making reproduction difficult
▪ Animals may not survive reintroduction into the wild
▪ Overprotection may result in loss of natural occurrence.
Man-wildlife conflict
▪ Sometimes we come across conflicting situations when wildlife starts causing
immense damage and danger to man and under such conditions it becomes very
difficult for the forest department to pacify the affected villagers and gain local
support for wild-life conservation.
▪ Elephant is one of the holy animal in India, especially in Kerala but due to
elephant attack some 500 people are killed by each year.
▪ The Corbett National Park of Uttarakhand is famous for notable man-eaters
leopard, responsible for at least 400 attacks on humans.
▪ The largest Swamp and mangroves forest of India is also home to over 500
Bengal tigers, who killed from 50-250 people per year in India and Bangladesh.
Causes of Man-animal conflicts
▪ shrinkage of habitat
▪ Man-eating tendency
▪ Food scarcity
▪ Electric wiring
▪ Lack of corridors
▪ Inadequate compensation to the farmers.
 Major biogeographic habitats of India
Biogeographic zone Biotic province
1 Trans-Himalayan Upper region
2 Himalayan North-west Himalayas, West Himalayas, Central Himalayas, East Himalayas

3 Desert Kutch, Thar, Ladakh

4 Semi-Arid Central India, Gujrat-Rajwara
5 Western Ghats Malabar coast, Western Ghat mountains
6 Deccan Peninsula Deccan plateau, Chhota Nagpur, Central highlands
7 Gangetic plain Upper Gangetic plain, Lower Gangetic plain
8 North-east India Brahmaputra Valley, North-eastern hills
9 Islands Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands
10 Coasts West coasts, East coasts
Phyto-geographical regions of India
▪ On the type of flora, India has been divided into following
phytogeographical regions:
▪ The Western Himalayas
▪ The Eastern Himalayas
▪ Western Deserts
▪ Gangetic Plains
▪ Central India
▪ Western Coast
▪ Deccan Plateau
▪ North-East India
▪ Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Zoo-geographical regions of India
▪ On the type of fauna, India has been divided into following
zoogeographical regions:
▪ Himalayan Region
▪ Malabar Region
▪ Nilgiri Region
▪ Northern Plains
▪ Desert Lands
▪ Deccan Plateau Region
India: A Mega-diversity nation
▪ Conservation International identified
18 mega-diverse countries in 1998.
India is one of them.
▪ Few of the fields of diversity of India
are:
▪ Geographical diversity
▪ Climatic diversity
▪ Biodiversity
▪ Habitat diversity
▪ Cultural diversity
Thank You