Unit – 4 Biodiversity and Conservation

Biodiversity

Biodiversity can be defined as the variety and variability among different groups of living
organisms that exists on the earth.
Bio means life, diversity means distribution hence the biodiversity can be simply defined as
the entire living organism from single celled microorganisms to giant’s trees and animals like
blue what which exist on the earth can be referred as biodiversity.

Levels/types of biological diversity

Genetic diversity:

 Gene is the basic fundamental unit of hereditary character which forms the
chromosomes which is found in the nucleus of the cell
 The specific characteristic feature of any individual is derived from their parent
through a material called gene.
 During the course of fertilization the genes of the parent combine together to form a
individual with slight variation in their characters.
 The variation in a group of organisms, which bring variation among the individual are
referred to as genetic diversity.
 The main cause for the genetic diversity is due to the variation in expression of genes
or genetic material during the fertilization Ex: All human beings belongs to the
species called Homosapean, but there are difference races around the world the
difference in the races is due to the genetic diversity Ex: An American when
compared to an African or Chinese differ in their color, size, shape etc.,
 Genetic diversity plays a vital role in maintaining the ecological resources
renewability. The genetic diversity is important with respect to evolution by arise in
individual plants, animals and microorganism through gene and chromosomal
mutation naturally and also by man mad e genetic engineering.
 The genetic diversity plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. The genetic
diversity is brought by natural process but now man has the capacity to manipulate the
genes causing genetic diversity.
 Genetic diversity contributes for economics benefit Ex: As the gene manipulation can
be done to increase agricultural yield, which is essential for ensuring food security for
the massive population.

Species diversity:
Species are the group of organisms which can interbreed to produce fertile offspring and
which are reproductively isolated from other species.
 The variability of the species that is present which is distributed through-out the
biosphere is called species diversity.
 Species diversity refers to the existence of diversified nature of all living organisms
which is distributed throughout the biosphere.
 Genetic diversity is the major root cause for species diversity which is an important
aspect of biodiversity.

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 Today we can see more than 5 million of species of both flora and fauna which are
derived from a single celled organism about 3.5 billion years ago

Ecosystem diversity:
Eco system can be defined as “an integrated functional unit of the biosphere, where all the
living organisms are continuously interacting with the non living component of the
environment”.
 Ecosystem differs from one another by its physical, chemical and biological structure.
We can see the variation in the trophic structure, material or nutrients cycles, energy
flow etc.,
 The variety and variability among different ecosystems in the biosphere is called
ecosystem diversity.
 The ecosystem of one type may be different from another by its biotic components
and abiotic components which are specific for it.
Ex: Forest ecosystem, is having different character than the desert ecosystem in both abiotic
and biotic components
Ecosystem diversity is characterized by different types of ecosystem which represent
different parts of the biosphere. Ex: Forest ecosystem, grassland ecosystem, desert ecosystem
etc.

Terrestrial ecosystem Aquatic ecosystem

Forest Ocean
Grass land Rivers
Desert Pond
Caves Lake
Tundra Aquarium etc.
Cropland
Garden

Bio-geographical zones of India

India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity nation in the world and has different types of
climates and topography in different parts of the country and these variations have induced
enormous variability in flora and fauna. India is classified into ten important bio-
geographical zones in which these zones have their own characteristics climates, soil,
topography, flora and fauna

The bio-geographical classification of India is as given below in the table.

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Bio-geographical Zone Biotic province

1) Trans Himalayans Upper region of the India
2) Himalayans region Himalayans regions
3) Desert region Thar, Kutch and Ladak
4) Semi arid Central India
5) Western ghats Mlabar Coast, Western Ghats, Mountains
6) Deccan peninsula South India excluding Western Ghats
7) Gangetic plain Ganga river basin and its tributaries
8) Coasts West and east coasts
9) Northeast India All the North East parts of India
10)Islands Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Global biodiversity

The estimation of wild life is an unimaginable and difficult task but an effort has been taken
to enlist or describe the species which exist in the planet and has described as below
 About 5 millions of species of both flora and fauna are present in the earth and about
7% of the total organisms have been identified, which adds up to 15,95,225 only
 About 50 to 80% of biodiversity lies in the rainforest and about ¼ th of the world’s
prescription drugs are extracted from plants which are growing in tropical forests.
 There is an estimated of 1,25,000 flowering plant species in tropical forests.
However, till now we have identified 1-3% of these species.
 Temperate forests have much less biodiversity, but there are much better documented
of the species.

Some of the estimated and classified groups of the organisms are as follows:

Lower plants About 1,26,726, species

Flowering plants About 3,00,000 species
Invertebrates About 10,00,000 species
Pisces About 5,00,000 species
Amphibians About 2,400 species
Reptiles About 5,300 species
Aves About 8,400 species
Mammalians About 4,230 species

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India as mega diversity nation:

 India is one among the twelve mega diversity rich countries of the world and is
situated at 8o – 30 N and 60o – 97 5E
 Recent study reveals that about 47,000 species of flora (plant) 81,000 species of fauna
(animals) have been identified and listed in India.
 India is a country of great geographical diversity as with great Himalays in the north,
with extensive northern plains, the sand of Thar on the west, Assam hills on east, and
uneven plateau surface in the central, mountain hills and coastal plains to south.
 The distance from north to south extends and covers to about of 3,214 kms and
2,933km east to west and it has a land area of 32,87,263 sq km and it is the seventh
largest country in the world
 India is also called as subcontinent with variety of flora and fauna
 India has a rich biological diversity of flora and fauna, with overall 6% of global
species are found in India. India ranks 10th among the plant rich countries of the world
and 11th rank in terms of number of endemic species of higher vertebrates and 6 th
among the centers of diversity and center of agricultural crops.
 The total number of living species identified in our country are 1,50,000. Out of a total
of 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world, India posses tow one in north-east region and
one in the South-west (Western Ghats). India is also one among the 12-mega diversity
countries in the world
 Some of the distribution of species in some major groups of flora and fauna in India;

Bacteria 850
Algae 6000
Lichen 1600
Fungi 23000
Bryophytes 2564
Pteridophytes 1022
Flowering plant 15000
Fishes 2546
Amphibians 180
Reptiles 428
Birds 1228
Mammals 372

Hotspots of biodiversity:

Biodiversity is unevenly distributed on the planet. Some areas harbor far greater
concentration of living creatures than others. Scientists had identified those biologically rich
areas under the greatest that of destruction as biodiversity hotspots and are concentrating
conservation in these areas to minimize it. Approximately 36 priority hot sports have been
identified based on three criteria they are
a) On the number of species present

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b) On the number of species found exclusively in an ecosystem.

c) On the degree of threat they face

History of the hotspots;

British ecologist Nor Man Myers created the biodiversity hotspots concept in two scientific
papers published in 1988 and 1990. Myers recognized that a modest number of hotspot
ecosystem covering a small total area, most often in tropical forest areas, accounted for a
high percentage of global biodiversity.
There are 36 hot spots of biodiversity at the global level. India has 2 hotspots and they are:
1) Eastern Himalayan: It occupies the total area of 7298 sqkm which include 4250 plant
species which are endemic. This region shows a varied topography which includes
orchid flowers, bryophytes, and lichens etc., which are endemic to this region. The
endemic animals in Himalayan region are snow leopards yak, birds etc.,
2) Western Ghats and Srilanka: It occupies the total area of the 1,89,611 sq Km
includes the western strip regions of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamilnadu and
Srilanka. This region shows a high endemic in reptilian, amphibians species and has
10 species of endemic threatened birds, 14 species of endemic threatened mammals,
87 species of endemic threatened amphibians and 405 species of endemic plant
species
Some of the other hot spots around the world are:
Upland western Amazon 100sq Kms
Philippines 250 sq Kms
Madagascar 62 sq Kms
Atlantic Costal Brazil 1000 sq Kms

Services/Values of biodiversity

Value can be defined as the worth/ price/ wealth, with respect to human being. The value of
biodiversity is estimated under various concept of consumptive, productive, social,
aesthetical, ethical, optional values, as it not only helps human but also indirectly by
maintaining and balancing of the environment
The following are the some of the values discussed with respect to biodiversity.
Consumptive value:
 The value of the biodiversity that is harvested and consumed is considered as
consumptive value. Ex: Food, fuel drugs etc.,
 Food: The consumptive value of biodiversity was known form the earliest days of the
human life. About 6000 edible plants and animals have been reported and used by the
human population for the consumption.
 Fuel: The fossil fuels like coal, petrol, diesel, kerosene etc., are the derived products
obtained from the fossilized biodiversity. Fuel wood is another product obtained form
the biodiversity which is used today as the major energy source.
 Medicine: Majority of the drugs / medicines are used and derived by the extracts of
plants and animals.
Ex: penicillin the antibiotic is derived from the extract of a fungus called penicillin
notatum.
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Productive Value:
 The biotic resource which is used for commercial purpose which results in obtaining
the products which enhances the economic stability of the society forms the
productive use of biodiversity.
 The commercially harvested biotic resources that are reflected in the national income
from the productive use.
 Majority of the plants and animals and their derivatives are commercially used and the
products are marketed and sold Ex: Timber, medicinal plants, ivory of elephant, skin
of tiger etc.,

Social value:
 These are the values associated with the social life costumes, religions and psycho-
spiritual aspects of the people. Ex: tulsi, peepal, lotus, bael etc the leaves, fruits or
flowers of these plants are used in worship or the plant tree itself is worshipped.
Many animals like cow, snake, bull, peacock etc., also have significance place in our
psycho-spiritual and thus hold special social importance.

Ethical value:
 Ethical value is based on respecting the reverence for the living world and a sense of
intrinsic value in nature land a concept of divine creation.
 This value involves ethical issues like “all life must be preserved”. It is based on the
concept of “live and let live” and also “Live and make them live”. If we want our
human race to survive, than we must protect all biodiversity, because biodiversity is
valuable.

Aesthetical value:
 Biodiversity is also important from the viewpoints of its aesthetic and recreational
value for man. Recreational and enjoyment are essential for human health. Natural
activities of various colorful birds, taste of wild berries, refreshing fragrance of wild
flowers, melodious signing of birds etc, attract people and please the viewers.

Recreation and Ecotourism value:

 The natural environment is used for recreation through activities such as hiking, bird
watching, nature walks and Scuba diving. Ecotourism as an industry is growing
rapidly in many developing countries, earning approximately $12 billion per year
worldwide. An economy of the country will be increased by adopting the ecotourism.

Option value
 These values include the potential of biodiversity that are present unknown and need
to be explored.
 There is a possibility that we may find the medicine which will be derived from the
wild life that has a potential cure for AIDS or cancer existing in the present diversity.

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 Thus the option values of biodiversity suggest that any species may prove to be a
miracle species one day.

Threats to biodiversity:

Extinction is a natural event and from a geological perspective it is routine. We know that
most species that have ever lived have gone extinct. The average rate over the past 200
million years is 1-2 species per year and 3-4 families per million years

In the modern era, due to human actions species and ecosystems are threatened with
destruction to an extent rarely seen in earth history

Some of the important anthropogenic process which are causing threats to biodiversity are

Poaching of wild life: Poaching of wild life is a technique which involves the hunting of
animals for their economical value. As many of wildlife have a greater economical value in
the international market, poaching is conducted worldwide.

Cause for poaching:

 Economic value: The major portion of poaching is done for the economic value as the
value products of wild life like skin fur, wool, tusks, etc., which fetch large amount of
income on foreign trade.
 Aesthetic purpose: Wild life has goes aesthetic use as it shows a wide verity in their
appearance for Ex: The horns, stuffs bodies of wild animals will increase the aesthetic
value and shows the strength and wealth of man in the society.
 Medicinal and drugs: major portion of wild life and its extract have a great medicinal
value hence used in Aurvedic medicines, Chinese medicine and English medicine.
 Recreational purpose: Nowadays poaching of wild life is also done for the
recreational purpose.
 To lab supplies: Majority of the wild life species have been poached to the alb
supplies for experiment, demonstration etc., and supplying of these wild life illegally
fetch more income.

Introduction of non-native species: Introduction of non-native species by man which has

more importance in terms of economic and productive value is an important and often-
overlooked cause of extinctions. The establishment of the non native species has caused the
extinction of most of the native species, by simply eating them all or by occupying the area.
It was pa purposeful introduction for economic, productive and aesthetic value and a great
disaster.

Pollution; Pollution from chemical contaminants certainly poses a further threat to species
and ecosystems. While not commonly a cause of extinction, it likely can be for species
whose range is extremely small and threatened by contamination

Climate change: Changing global climate threatens species and ecosystems. The distribution
of species (biogeography) is largely determined by climate as is the distribution of
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ecosystems and plant vegetation zones (biomes). Climate change many simply shift these
distributions but for number of reasons plants and animals may not be able to adjust

Man wildlife conflicts

In the recent years the man and wild animals conflicts is one of the important threats which is
facing by the wild life. The major reason for the man wildlife conflicts is due to the invasion
of forest area by man. As human populations expand and natural habitats shrink, people and
animals are increasingly coming into conflict over living space and food.
The invasion of forest area is due to
1) Expansion of agricultural fields, urbanisation and industrialization.
2) Construction of roads, tunnels and railway tracks etc.,

Invasion of forest areas by man is leading in the destruction of the habitat and scarcity of
food resource for the wildlife. The animals in search of food attack on the agricultural field
and living stock resulting in killing of wild life by man.
People lose their crops, livestock, property and sometimes their lives. The animals many of
which are already threatened or endangered are often killed in retaliation or to prevent future
conflicts.
Human-wildlife conflict is one of the main threats to the continued survival of many species,
in many parts of the world and is also a significant threat to many local human populations.
Human –wildlife conflict is occurring more and more and affecting many different species.
The problem is universal affects a rich and poor and is bad news for all concerned.
Habitat loss / degradation / fragmentation: The important cause for the extinction of wild life
is habitat loss / degradation / fragmentation. As deforestation proceeds in tropical forests, this
promises to become the cause of mass extinctions of biodiversity caused by human activity.
All species have specific food and habitat needs. The more specific these needs and localized
the habitat the greater the vulnerability of species to loss of habitat to agricultural land
livestock, roads and cities.
Habitat damage especially the conversion of forested land to agriculture has a long human
history
Any species that requires a large home range, such as elephants, will not survive if the area is
too small
Endangered and endemic species of India:

Endangered species of India: A species is said to be endangered when its number are
reduced severely and it faces the danger of becoming extinct
In India nearly 450 plant species have been identified in the categories of endangered,
Some of endangered species are given below:
1) Reptiles; Gharial, Green sea turtle, Tortoise, Python etc.,
2) Birds: great India bustard, Peacock, Pelican, Great horn bill, Siberian whit crane etc.,
3) Carnivores; Indian wolf, Red sloth bear, Red panda, Stripped hyena, Indian lion,
Golden cat, Desert cat etc.,
4) Primates; Lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri languor, Golden monkey etc.,

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5) Plants; A large number of species of orchids, Rhododendrons, Medicinal plants,

Sandal wood tree etc.,

Endemic species of India; A species is said to endemic when the species are found
extensively only in the particular area.
 India has two hot spots and thus posses a large number of endemic species. Out of
about 47,000 species of plants in our country 7,000 are endemic.
 Indian subcontinent has about 62% endemic flora restricted mainly to Himalayas and
Western Ghats. Some of the important endemic flora include orchid’s species like
sapris Himalayans, pedicularis perroter and tooth brush orchid.
 A large number out of 81,000 species of animals in our country are endemic.
 The Western Ghats are particularly rich in amphibians (frogs and toads) and reptiles
(lizards, Crocodiles) about 62% of amphibians and 50% of lizard are endemic to
Western Ghats.
 Some of the important endemic species are reticulated python, Indian salamander,
Monitor lizards and Viviparous toad.

Conservation of biodiversity

Conserving wild life is the process of preservation and safeguarding of threatened, vulnerable
rare and endangered species of plants and animals in their natural habitats.
Conservation of biodiversity should consider the following objective:
1) Maintenance of the ecological equilibrium between biotic components of the
ecosystem
2) Preservation of the total gene pools of the different species at the global level.
3) Ensuring the optimum utilization of the present animal and plant species
Methods to save wild life:
1) In situ conservation (within the habitat): This is achieved by protecting the wild flora
and fauna in its natural habitat itself. Ex: Biosphere reserves National parks,
Sanctuaries, Reserve forests etc.,
At present we have 13 Biosphere reserves 87 National parks 485 Sancturaries and 120
botancial gardens in our country covering 4% of the geographic area Ex: Nilgiri
biosphere reserve (Tamilnadu Kerala and Karnata) Nandadevi biosphere reserve
(Uttarpradesh) etc.,
Note:
 A national park is an area dedicated for the conservation of wildlife along with
its environment. It is also meant for enjoyment through tourism, without
impairing the environment E.g. Bandipur national park
 Wildlife sanctuaries are meant for conserving the fauna and in sanctuaries
private ownership are been permitted to an extent that they will not affect the
wildlife. Ex; Ranganatittu bird sanctuaries
2) Ex situ conservation (outside its natural habitat): The process of protecting wild
flora and fauna outside their natural environment. Ex: Breeding captive species in
zoos, conserving plant species in botanical gardens and storing of seeds of genetically
diverse plant species are examples.
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 Zoos: Zoos are set up for conservation, education, research and entertainment.
However zoos do not have the space to save all endangered species. Captured
animals can be bred in zoos.
 Botanical gardens: These are the places where plant species are conserved in
botanical garden when they are believed to be extinct in the wild.
The wild life conservation is also done by following important steps:
 Habitat destruction is avoided by careful planning of urban and other development
activities.
 Special attention is given to conserve the species which fall under the category of
endangered or vulnerable
 Attempts are made at country level to identify natural habitats for specific wildlife to
be preserved.
 Breeding program in capitative to rise endangered species are to be initiated.
 Alternative measures are adopted to allow the survival of species is to be initiated.
 The use of only such species which will not disturb the equilibrium of the ecosystem.

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