A

PROJECT REPORT
On

“Loss of Biodiversity”

Submitted to:

The Department of Biology

Maria Montessori Senior Secondary School , Koirengei ,Imphal East,Manipur
Affiliated to : Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi

2018-19

Submitted by:

Nelson.Kh
Class XII Sec B Roll No. 34
Maria Montessori Senior Secondary School , Koirengei , Imphal East, Manipur
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my profound gratitude to Sir Oinam Prameshowor

Singh, Miss Bonnie Chanu Thoidingjam and Miss Pukhram Bonita Devi, PGT

Department of Biology, Maria Montessori Sr. Sec. School, Koirengei, Imphal East,

Manipur for their kind guidance rendered to me. Without their help it would have

been difficult on my part to complete and present this Project Report in its present

form.

Nelson.Kh
Class XII Sec B Roll No. 34
 CeRTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project entitled “Structure of
Proteins” is the comprehensive work carried out by
Nelson.Kh of Class-XII section-B Roll No.-34 under the
supervision of Shri Oinam Prameshwor Singh, Bonnie Chanu
Thoidingjam, Pukhram Bonita Devi, PGT Department of
Biology, Maria Montessori Sr. Sec. School, Imphal for the partial
fulfilment of the requirement for the award of XII Examination ,
under CBSE New Delhi for the session 2019-2020.

This project is the bonafide work carried out by him.

It has neither been published in any journal nor submitted in

any academic institution before. The project is truly authentic
and original.

He bears a good moral character and he is not related to me.

 INTRODUCTION
Loss of Biodiversity is
the extinction of species (plant or
animal) worldwide, and also the local
reduction or loss of species in a
certain habitat.

The latter phenomenon can be

temporary or permanent,depending on
whether the environmental
degradation that Leads to the loss is
reversible through ecological
restoration / ecological resilience or
effectively permanent (e.g. through land
loss). Global extinction has so far been
proven to be irreversible.Even though
permanent global species loss is a more dramatic phenomenon than
regional changes in species composition, even minor changes from a
healthy stable state can have dramatic influence on the food web and
the food chain insofar as reductions in only one species can adversely
affect the entire chain (coextinction), leading to an overall reduction
in biodiversity, possible alternative stable states of an ecosystem
notwithstanding. Ecological effects of biodiversity are usually
counteracted by its loss. Reduced biodiversity in particular leads to
reduced ecosystem services and eventually poses an immediate danger
for food security, also for humankind.

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 IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity is indeed, very important to the well-being of Planet Earth.

The importance of healthy ecosystems and rich biodiversity can be
underscored by the following points-

 Increase ecosystem productivity – Each species in an ecosystem has

a specific role to play. Most of these are interdependent on each
other for their survival.

 Support number of plant species – This results in a greater variety of

crops.

 Protect freshwater resources- Biodiversity protects freshwater

resources and keeps them clean.

 Promote soils formation and protection – The greater variety of

plants helps in formation of soil and makes it rich in nutrients.

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 Provide for nutrient storage and recycling – Plants store nutrients,
these are consumed by animals and are finally given back to the
environment when they die.

 Aid in breaking down pollutants – Plants utilise carbon dioxide for

photosynthesis. More the greenery in an area, lesser is the pollution
level in the air.

 Contribute to climate stability- The presence of plant and animal

species provides climate stability as global warming is reduced.

 Provide more food resources – Greater variety of plants and poultry

animals results in more food resources in a nation.

 Provide pharmaceutical drugs – Medicinal property of plants is

important for the pharmaceutical industry.

 Offer environments for recreation and tourism- Places with greenery

and flowing rivers, mountains, beaches offer great recreation
facilities for humans.

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 CONTENT
Serial no. Title Page no.

1 acknowledgement 2

2 Certificate 3

3 introduction 4

4 IMPORTANCE OF 5-6
BIODIVERSITY
5 INCREASING LOSS OF 8
BIODIVERSITY
6 CAUSES OF LOSS OF 9
BIODIVERSITY
7 MAJOR FACTOR 10-13
THAT CONTRIBUTE
TO THE LOSS OF
BIODIVERSITY
8 Effect of loss of 14-15
biodiversity
9 solutions 16-17

10 conclusion 18

11 reference 19

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INCREASING LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY

Loss of biodiversity refers to the extinction of human, plant or animal

species worldwide. It also includes the decrease in the number of a
species in a certain habitat. The environmental degradation that leads to
the loss can be either reversible or effectively permanent. Though, it has
been noticed that global extinction so far is irreversible.

To realise the gravity of the problem, let us have a look on the rate of
biodiversity loss. It is estimated that the current rate of biodiversity loss is
100 to 1000 times higher than the naturally occurring extinction rate and
is still expected to grow in the future. This loss of biodiversity has a

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number of impacts on both human and animal life.

CAUSES OF LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY

Unfortunately, human activities greatly contribute to the loss of

biodiversity. Natural resources like land and water are
indiscriminately exploited by humans. According to the
Convention of Biological Diversity, direct and indirect human
activities have a detrimental effect on biodiversity. Direct
human drivers include changes in local land use, species
introductions or removals, harvesting, air and water pollution,
and climate change. Indirect human drivers include
demographic, economic, technological, and cultural and
religious factors.
The growth in population is a major factor in fuelling the
demand for natural resources. It also leads to greater waste
generation, which is also a major cause of pollution. Human
needs and the increased use of technology to meet them play a
major role in climate change, which continues to be a big threat
to biodiversity.
Increased atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide causes
climate change. Due to large-scale cutting of trees every year,
carbon dioxide cannot be absorbed and its concentration in the
air increases. Climate change has resulted in increased land and
ocean temperature, change in precipitation and rise in the sea
level. The change in climate has an inimical impact on species.

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 THE MAJOR FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO
THE LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY INCLUDE THE
FOLLOWING:

1.The natural habitat of Destruction of Habitat:

Animals is destroyed by
man for the purpose of
settlement, agriculture,
mining, industries,
construction of highways,
and so on.
As a result of this, the
species must either adapt
to the changes in the environment or move to other places. If not, they
become target to predation, starvation, disease and eventually die.

2.Hunting:
Hunting of wild animals is
done for the commercial
utilisation of their
products. These include
hides and skin, fur, meat,
tusk, cosmetics, perfumes,
pharmaceuticals, and
decoration purposes. In
recent years, 95% of the
black rhino population in Africa has been exterminated by poachers for
their horn.
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In addition to this, over one-third of Africa’s elephants have been killed in
the last decade to collect 3,000 tonnes of ivory. Though the formulation of
International laws and Indian regulations has reduced hunting in a large
amount but poaching still continues to be a threat to biodiversity.

3.Exploitation of Selected Species:

Exploitation of medicinally important plants results in their disappearance
from their natural habitat. Examples of the plants which are ruthlessly
collected for laboratory and other works are the pitcher plant, Nepenthes
khasiana, Drosera sp., Psilotum sp. Isoetes sp etc.

4.Habitat Fragmentation:
An “unnatural separation of expansive tracts of habitats into spatially
segregated fragments” that is too limited to maintain their different
species for the future, is known as habitat fragmentation. The landmass is
broken into smaller units which eventually lead to the extinction of
species.

5.Collection for Zoo and Research:

Animals and plants are collected for zoos and biological laboratories. This
is majorly done for research in science and medicine. Primates such as
monkeys and chimpanzees are sacrificed for research because of their
anatomical, genetic and physiological similarities to human beings.

6.Introduction of Exotic Species:

A species which is not a natural inhabitant of the locality but is
deliberately or accidentally introduced into the system is termed as an
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exotic species. Due to the introduction of exotic species, native species
have to compete for food and space.

7.Pollution:
Pollution makes survival
difficult for the species as it
alters their natural habitat.
Water pollution is injurious
to the biotic components of
coastal ecosystems. Toxic
wastes entering the water
bodies disturb the food
chain. In addition, materials
like insecticides, pesticides,
sulphur and nitrogen oxides, and acid rain also adversely affect the plant
and animal species.

8.Control of Pests and Predators:

Generally, non-target species that are a component of balanced
ecosystem may also get killed in the predator and pest control measures.

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9.Natural Calamities:
Floods, draught, forest
fires, earth-quakes and
other natural calamities
sometimes take a heavy
toll of plant and animal
life. These trap a large
number of animals while
frittering away soil
nutrients.

Other Factors:
Other Ecological Factors that contribute to the loss of biodiversity include:
(a) Distribution range – The threat of extinction increases as the size of
distribution range becomes smaller.
(b) Degree of specialization – specialized organisms are more vulnerable to
extinction as compared to the non-specialized ones.
(c) Position of the organism in the food chain – the higher the position of
the organism in the food chain, the more susceptible it is.

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EFFECTS OF LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY
The negative effects of the loss in biodiversity from a healthy stable state
include dramatic influence on the food web and chain. Even reductions in
only one species can adversely affect the entire food chain which further
leads to an overall reduction in biodiversity. Reduced biodiversity leads to
immediate danger for food security by reducing ecosystem services and
for humankind also.
The effects of extinction of animal and plant species are widespread. Here
are six significant problems caused by loss of biodiversity:

Monetary Implication of Lost Biodiversity

The economic cost of biodiversity around the world tops the list. We will
have to pay for costs of pollination, irrigation, soil reclamation and other
functions if nature is unable to take care of them. The estimated value of
global biodiversity is in the trillions. Deforestation costs around $2-5
trillion annually worldwide.

Threat to existing species

The introduction of new species is happening on farms, too, where natives
are pushed out because of imported foreign breeds of cattle. The effect of
this is the narrowing of the world’s livestock population. They are also
becoming more susceptible to disease, drought, and changes in climate.

Increased Contact with Diseases

The loss of biodiversity has two major effects on human health and the
spread of disease. Firstly, it increases the count of animals carrying disease
in local populations. As habitats reduce in size, these animals become
common, winning out the species that do not generally transmit disease.

More Unpredictable Weather

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Indeed, unseasonable weather and extreme weather is a huge problem
which leads to destruction and displacement. Research has shown that
loss of species causes more unpredictable weather.

Loss of Livelihoods
Biodiversity is essential for maintaining livelihoods. Taking an example,
when ocean ecosystems collapse, entire communities built on the plenty
they provide lose their means of employment as well. The cause can be
pollution, overfishing, or a combination of these. Humans are always
affected by the downfall of the ecosystem surrounding them.

Losing Sight of Nature

The worth of nature to humanity is far beyond the utility of it. The physical
deflation of nature certainly does affect humans. People always tend to
find solace in nature. It also provides a recreation spots for us to take a
break from our busy lives. But loss of biodiversity threatens to take away
the value that man finds in nature.

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SOLUTIONS TO STOP LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY
(How to Prevent Loss of Biodiversity)
The reduction in land and soil degradation and formation of regulated
protected areas and national parks, in addition, are among important
solutions to the loss of biodiversity. However, these have limitations in
tackling the biodiversity crisis to the full extent.
What is required is to place greater emphasis on sustainable practices in
agriculture, which is the most significant cause of biodiversity loss.
Thousands of traditional crops have become threatened species as they
have been discarded for food production, a concept called mono
production.
An alternative
approach that can be
introduced here is
“agro-ecology” or “eco-
farming”. It seeks
higher yields achieved
through intense
cultivation on small
farms. It is a low input
model that requires
skills in processes like
soil regeneration,
nitrogen fixation and natural pest control. Reconciliation of these changes
in agriculture is critical for both food security and biodiversity.
Along with the proposed changes in agriculture, there are other solutions
to the biodiversity loss too. Some of them are simple changes we need to
bring in our daily lives.
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Since over-consumption of resources is the root cause of biodiversity loss,
we can consume less and be more mindful about what we consume.
Energy must be saved too by using energy efficient appliances in our
homes.
Maintaining wetlands by conserving water.
Managing livestock grazing.
Consider donating property to land trusts.
Encourage and support global environmental initiatives.

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 CONCLUSION

Biodiversity or the variety of plants and animals in the

environment plays an important role in maintaining
balance in the ecosystem. The loss of biodiversity gives
rise to a lot of problems like decreased food security,
disruptions in the food chain, climate change, loss of
livelihoods etc. This has a huge impact on humans as
there will longer be food to eat, prices of commodities
will rise and the beautiful sight of nature will be lost.
Moreover, ecosystem balance gets disturbed. The
problem is indeed a very grave one, and it’s time
humans realize what impact their actions have on the
environment. Proposed solutions like alternate
approaches in agriculture, consuming less and
generating lesser waste should be adopted. Only then
the biodiversity loss rates can be reduced and humans
can live in harmony with Mother Earth.

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 REFRENCE

• NCERT Text Book

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiversity_loss

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