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Unit. 4.biodiversity EVS Lecture

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Unit. 4.biodiversity EVS Lecture

EVs last chapter

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officialaiman2307
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BIODIVERSITY

DR. SHOEB AHMAD


Assistant Professor
Department of Zoology
AKI’s Poona College of Arts, Science & Commerce
Camp, Pune – 411001 (Maharashtra)
BIODIVERSITY DEFINITION

 Biodiversity itself is a combination of two words, Bio (life) and diversity


(variety). In simple terms, biodiversity is the number and variety of organisms
found within a specified geographic region.

 It refers to the varieties of plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they
contain and the ecosystems they form. It relates to the variability among living
organisms on the earth, including the variability within and between the species
and that within and between the ecosystems.
Why is biodiversity important?

 Everything that lives in an ecosystem is part of the network 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 network of life that sustains all living things.

 Edward O. Wilson -- known as the "father of biodiversity"


Biodiversity can be discussed at three levels :

(i) Genetic diversity

(ii) Species diversity;

(iii) Ecosystem diversity


(i) Genetic diversity
 Genetic biodiversity refers to the variation of genes within species.

 Groups of individual organisms having certain similarities in their physical characteristics are
called species.

 Domestic cats genetically belong to the Felis catus group and also differ in their
characteristics such as Height Colour, Physical appearance

 This is due to genetic diversity. This genetic diversity is essential for a healthy breeding of
population of species.
(ii) Species diversity;
A 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.

 This refers to the variety of species.

 It relates to the number of species in a defined area.

 The diversity of species can be measured through its richness, abundance and types.

 Some areas are more rich in species than others. Areas rich in species diversity are called diversity
hotspots .

 Western Ghats is greatest biodiversity hotspot of India.

 Western Ghat is a mointain series that runs paralell western coats of Gujrat, Maharshtra, Goa,
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala,
(ii) Species diversity;
(iii) Ecosystem diversity
Ecosystem refers to the diversity of a place at the level of ecosystems.

The type of Ecosystems that are present in the biosphere (life sphere on earth)

An ecosystem is made up of interacting Biotic (living) and Abiotic (non-living) factors.

Biotic Example: Animal, Plants etc.


Abiotic Examples: Temperature, Water, Soil, Air etc

Includes diversity above the species level.


Biologists have viewed diversity above the species level in various ways. Some alternative
ways to categorize it include:

 Community diversity
 Habitat diversity
 Landscape
 diversity
India has 10 different biogeographic zones and 26 biotic provinces.

S.No. Biogeographic zones Biotic provinces


1. Trans-Himalaya Ladakh mountains, Tibetan plateau
2. Himalaya Northwest, West, Central and East Himalayas
3. Desert Thar, Kutch
4. Semi-arid Punjab plains, Gujarat Rajputana
5. Western Ghats Malabar plains, Western Ghats
6. Deccan Peninsula Central highlands, Chotta-Nagpur, Eastern highlands, Central Plateau, Deccan
South
7. Gangetic plains Upper and Lower Gangetic plains
8. Coast West and East coast, Lakshadweep
9. North-East Brahmaputra valley, Northeast hills
10. Islands Andaman and Nicobar
Source: Wildlife Protected Area Network in India: A Review, Wildlife Institute of India, 2000.
BIODIVERSITY PATTERN
Biodiversity shows a systematic pattern:

Diversity tapers at the poles, either north or south.

The tropics are very rich in species diversity.


Endangered and Endemic Species of India
Endemic Species of India
A list of the endemic species of India is mentioned below:
Asiatic Lion: Gir Forest National Park of Gujarat.

Lion-Tailed Macaque Found in Western Ghats

Purple Frog: Found in Western Ghats


Asiatic Lion
Sangai Deer: Keibul Lamjao National Park of Manipur. lake. Lion-Tailed Macaque

Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Hills of Western Ghats

Purple Frog:
Nilgiri Tahr Sangai Deer
Endangered Species of India
Asiatic Lion: Restricted only in ‘Gir Forest National Park, Gujrat’.
(The total number of Asiatic Lions left in the country are now just 650)
Bengal Tiger: Jim Carbet National Park, Uttrakhand has large number of Bengal Tiger
(Country has only 2000 Bengal Tigers surviving)
Snow Leapard: Can be spotted in only in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand
Nilgiri Tahr: Endangered mountain goat species, can be spotted in Nilgiri Hill of Western Ghats
Blackbuck (Indian antelope): can be spotted at different regions on Indian
One- horned rhinoceros: Conserved in Kajiranga National Park, Assam, Only 2000 are surviving

Asiatic Lion Bengal Tiger


Snow Leopard One- horned rhinoceros
Nilgiri Tahr Blackbuck
Threats to Biodiversity
1. Human Activities
2. Deforestation (Habitat Loss)
3. Desertification
4. Exploitation of Marine Environment
5. Increasing Wildlife Trade Human Activities
Increasing Wildlife Trade
6. Climate Change

Climate Change

Desertification Exploitation of Marine Environment Deforestation


Wildlife Conservation
 In India There are 870 protected areas including
 104 National Parks
 551 Wildlife Sanctuaries
 88 Conservation Reserves
 127 Community Reserves
 A total of 1,65,088.57 km² of geographical area which is approximately 5.02% of the
country
In-situ and Ex-situ Conservation
in situ conservation : The process of protecting an endangered plant or animal
species in its natural habitat is commonly known as in situ conservation.

Ex situ conservation: is the relocation of endangered or rare species from their


natural habitats to protected areas
Ecosystem Services of Biodiversity

1. Consumptive value: Ecological services:


• Food/Drink • Balance of nature
• Fuel • Biological productivity
• Medicine • Regulation of climate
• Batter crop varieties • Degradation of waste
• Industrial Material • Cleaning of air and water
2. Non-Consumptive Value: • Cycling of nutrients
• Recreation • Control of potential pest and disease causing species
• Education and Research • Detoxification of soil and sediments
• Traditional value • Stabilization of land against erosion
• Carbon sequestration and global climate change
• Maintenance of Soil fertility

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