SRI AUROBINDO COLLEGE

Department of Environmental Science

 Biodiversity
What does “Bio” mean?

Bio =
 Biodiversity

What does “Diversity” mean?

Diversity = Variety
 Biodiversity is the variety of life on
Earth and the essential
interdependence of all living things

• Scientists have identified more than 2 million species. Tens

of millions -- remain unknown

•The tremendous variety of life on Earth is made possible by

complex interactions among all living things including
microscopic species like algae and mites.
 There are 3 components of
biodiversity
1. Diversity of genes
Chihuahuas, beagles, and rottweilers are all dogs—but
they're not the same because their genes are different.

Chihuahua Beagle
Rottweilers
 There are 3 components of
biodiversity
Diversity of species
For example, monkeys, dragonflies, and
meadow beauties are all different species.

Saki Monkey Golden Skimmer Meadow Beauty

 There are 3 components of
biodiversity
Variety of ecosystems
Prairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all
ecosystems. Each one is different, with its own set of
species living in it.

Paynes Prairie Florida Sand hill Pond

Hoh Rain Forest

Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Diversity
Whittaker, (1972)

• Alpha diversity: the diversity within a particular area or ecosystem, and is

usually expressed by the number of species (i.e., species richness) in that
ecosystem

• Beta diversity: The degree to which species composition changes along a

environmental gradient

• Gamma diversity: The rate at which additional species are encountered as

geographical replacements with in a habitat type in different localities.
 Biogeographical zones of India :
• India has different types of topography and climate in different parts
of the country and these variations have induced enormous variability in
flora and fauna thus occupies the 10th position among the plant rich
countries of the world.
•India has been divided into 10 biogeographical zones :

1.Transhimalaya
2.Himalayan
3.Desert
4.Semiarid
5.Deccan penninsular
6.Western ghats
7.Gangatic plains
8.North –East
9.Island
10.coast
 Mega diversity Countries:

It refers to the world’s top rich biodiversity countries in the world. At present
there are 17 megadiversity countries in the world.
1.Australia
2.America
3.South africa
4.Brazil
5.Congo
6.Colombia
7.China
8.Ecuador
9.India
10.Indonesia
11.Mexico
12.Madagarcar
13.Malaysia
14.Philippines
15.Peru
16.Papua new guinea
17.Venezuela
 Biodiversity Hotspots ?
(Norman Meyer, 1988)
✔A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant
reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans

✔To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria:
it must contain at least 0.5% or 1,500 species of vascular plants as
endemics, and it has to have lost at least 70% of its primary vegetation.
North & Central South America Europe and Africa Asia-Paciffic
America Central Asia
California Floristic Atlantic Forest Caucasus Cape floristic Region East Melanesian
Province Island
Caribbean Island Cerrado Irano-Antolian Coastal forest of Eastern Himalaya
Africa
Madrean Pine-Oak Chilean Winter Mediterranean Eastern Afromontane Indo-Barma
Woolands Rainfall-Valdivian Basin
Forest
Mesoamerica Tumbes-Chocos Mountain of Guinean forest of West Japan
Magdalena Central Asia africa
Tropical Andes Horn of Africa Mountain of
Southwest China
Madagascar & Indian Ocean New Caledonia
Island
Maputaland-Pondoland-Alb Newzealand
any
Succulent karoo Philippines

Polynesia-Micronesi
a
Southwest Australia

Sundaland

Wallacea

Western Ghats and

 Biodiversity Values
Direct Value = Something that has value
can use directly
❖ Consumptive use value: is the value placed on
nature’s product that are consumed directly,
without passing through a market.
Example: firewood, timber, food, meat.
❖ Productive use: It refers to products which are
commercially harvested or used and sold in
market.
 Indirect Values of biodiversity
provide economic benefits without being harvested

■ Social value-Spiritual and Religious value

■ Psychological and Therapeutical values
■ Socio-cultural and Socio-historical values
■ Research and Educational Values
■ Ecological and Evolutionary Values
■ Recreational and Tourism values
What do we get from
biodiversity?

Oxygen
Food
Clean Water
Medicine
Aesthetics
Ideas
 Should we be concerned about
biodiversity?
What we know:
The Earth is losing species at an alarming rate

■ Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 species per

hour are going extinct and 20,000 extinctions occur each
year.
■ when species of plants and animals go extinct, many
other species are affected.
Threats to biodiversity

Habitat destruction
Pollution
Poaching
Species Introductions
Global Climate Change
Exploitation
 mining
Burning trees of brazil
 Lantana plant Parthinium Water hyacinth

Snakehead fish Wild boar Indian mongoose

Example of Invasive species

Indian Mynas are one of the most invasive animal
species in the world. Introduced into Australia in the
late 1860s to control insects in market gardens, they
have now spread to most of coastal Australia and New
Zealand. Mynas are a serious environmental threat to
native wildlife, taking over nesting hollows, evicting
birds and small mammals, and preying on nestlings.
Illegal hunting is a severe threat to wildlife in many protected areas. Shown is the skull of
a young forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), leopord, killed in southern Gabon,
overfishing (heart of marine biodiversity).
 Biodiversity Depletion
■ Development Pressure Exploitation
❖ Construction ❖Firewood and food gathering
❖ Forest Based industries ❖Meat loving population
❖Poachers
❖ Irrigation Project
❖Smuggling of wild life
❖ Mining ❖Unregulated trade
❖ Oil drilling
❖ Pollution
❖ Resource extraction Management of Natural Resources
❖ Road & Transport ❖Fire as a management tool
❖Genetic uniformity
❑ Encroachment ❖Inadequate food/water for wild life
❖Agriculture ❖Exotic species
❖Expansion of Forest Village ❖Decrease in pollination/dispersal
❖Grazing/Increased Domestic Animals agent.
❖New Settlements
❖Shifting Cultivation
❖Siltation of river bed
 Biodiversity Depletion
■ Management of Human Resources
❖ Peoples’ life style
❖ Increased demands
❖ Ignorance/Lack of awareness (public awareness)
❖ Inadequate trained human resources
❖ Inappropriate land use
❖ Negative attitude
❖ Tourism development impact
❖ Lack of effective management

Political and Policy Issues

❖Change in tenure/legal status
❖Political movements
❖Armed conflict
❖Lack of clear policy implementation
❖Lack of Interdepartmental coordination
IUCN Red Data Book (1963) 9
categories
 •Critically endangered- 50% probability of extinction in five year

•Endangered- 20% probability in 20 years

•Vulnerable- 10% probability in 100 years

Endangered species- it refers to the species whose number has been

reduced to a critical level if these species not protected are likely to
became extinct in near future.
❖Lion tailed macaque
❖Asiatic elephant
❖Indian rhinoceros
❖ Red panda
Vulnerable species: it refers to the species whose population is facing
continuous decline due to overexploitation but the number is still
abundant.
❖Asiatic black bear
❖Asiatic wild ass
❖Black buck
❖Wild yak
 Biodiversity Conservation
■ In-situ
■ National Parks
■ Sanctuaries
■ Biosphere Reserve

■ Ex-situ
■ Long term captive breeding method
■ Animal translocation
■ Animal reintroduction
■ Gene banks
■ Seed banks
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NP, SAN & BIOSPHERE RESERVES

Characteristics National parks Sanctuaries Biosphere reserves

1. Boundaries Circumscribed by No Yes
legislation

2. Tourism Permissible Yes No

3. Research & No Yes

scientific Lacking
management

4. Conservation of Lacking Lacking Occur

gene pool

5. Biotic interference No except buffer zone No No except buffer zone

6. Number 103 543 18

S.No National state sanctuaries State B/R State
parks
1. Corbett (1936) Uttaranchal Bharatpur Rajasthan Nilgiri 1986 Tamilnadu
first (bird) Ist
2. Gir (Asiatic Gujrat Periyaar kerela Nanda devi U.P
lion, cheetal,
sambhar &
nilgai)
3. Kaziranga Assam Madumali Tamilnadu Ran of kutch Gujrat
(elephant, hog (wild ass, star
deer, wild tortoise, desert
boar, tigers, fox)
leopord)

4. Sunder van West bengal Sariska Rajasthan Great Andomaan

(mangrove Nicobaar &Nicobaar
delta)
5. Great Himalayan Ranthambore Rajasthan Thar desert Rajasthan
himalayan (snow (tigers) (black buck,
leopord) nilgai &
chinkara, great
indian
busturd)
 Convention on biological diversity:
The convention on biological diversity (CBD), known informally as the biodiversity
convention, is a multilateral treaty. The convention has three main goals including-

In other words, its objective is to develop national strategies for the conservation
and sustainable use of biological diversity. It is often seen as the key document
regarding sustainable development.
The convention was opened for signature at the earth summit in Rio de Janeiro on
5th June 1992 and entered into force on 29 December 1993. CBD has two
supplementary agreements:
 Keystone species: A keystone species is a plant or animal that plays a
crucial and unique role in the way an ecosystem functions. Without these
species the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist
altogether. The concept was introduced by the zoologist Robert T. Paine in
1969.
American alligator: Alligators use their tails to make burrows to stay warm and when they
move on, these burrows fill with water which is used by other species. Alligators are also
predators, keeping the numbers of other species in check.

Bees: By pollinating plants, bees contribute to their survival. The plants are shelter for
insects, which are then eaten by other species, like birds.

Elephants: By eating small trees, elephants preserve the grasslands, because the grasses
need plenty of sunlight to survive. If they were not there, the savanna would convert to a forest
or scrublands.

Hummingbirds: Pollination is the reason hummingbirds are a keystone species. In places

where the numbers of hummingbirds are low, other species of plants will take over the
ecosystem.

Sea otters: Sea otters are a keystone species in the kelp forests. They eat many
invertebrates, but especially sea urchins. If there are too many sea urchins, they will eat too
much of the kelp and destroy it.
Example of Keystone species
Flagship species
These are also known as charismatic species. These are iconic throughout the world
due to their unique appeal. Panda, polar bears, turtles, tigers, rhinoceros, etc. are a
few flagship species that have gained international recognition.
Flagship species are the species that are on the verge of extinction. They are
therefore used as an ambassador to draw society’s attention towards the need to
conserve them. The Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, African Elephant, and Giant Panda
are a few flagship species used by the World Wildlife Fund.
The main objectives of flagship species are:
The unique features of these animals help in attracting society’s attention.
Raising awareness about the protection and conservation of these species.

Benefits of Flagship Species

The flagship species such as pandas and elephants help in generating revenue
through visits to institutions where they are kept. This revenue helps in the protection
and sustainability of species.
The flagship species attract the public due to its unique features. This way the plight of
such creatures can be brought to the notice of the society and strategies can be
implemented to improve their condition. This creates awareness regarding biodiversity
conservation among individuals.
 What are Umbrella Species?
Umbrella Species refer to wildlife species that indirectly protect many other species in
the wild that makes up the ecological community of their habitats. It is a species of
which casts an “umbrella” over other species within the ecosystem. These species do
this by being more sensitive to habitat changes than other species in the ecosystem.
Examples of Umbrella Species:
An example of an umbrella species would be a Tiger!
Efforts have been made to save the populations of wild Tigers in order to save other
species that are present in the same ecosystems such as Leopards, Monkey, Hares,
Boars, etc. When Tigers survive well in the wild, other species along the food chain are
also thriving as a result. For this reason, measuring the health and functionality of
tigers can help conservationists measure the health of the ecosystem they are in.
BIOINDICATOR:
A bioindicator is a living organism that gives us an idea of the health of
an ecosystem. Some organisms are very sensitive to pollution in their environment,
so if pollutants are present, the organism may change its morphology, physiology or
behavior, or it could even die.

Bioindicators can be plants, animals or microorganisms.

If toxins are present, certain plants may not be able to grow in the area affected.
Monitoring population numbers of animals may indicate damage to the ecosystem in
which they live.
Algae blooms are often used to indicate large increases of nitrates and phosphates
in lakes and rivers.

Algal bloom in aquatic ecosystem Frog as bioindicator