ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE

Chapter 4 Biodiversity and its Conservation

INTRODUCTION
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions support fewer species.

INTRODUCTION
Species diversity is the effective number of different species that are represented in a collection of individuals (a dataset). Ecosystem diversity refers to the diversity of a place at the level of ecosystems. Genetic diversity, the level of biodiversity, refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species.

BIO-GEOGRAPHICAL CLASSIFICATION OF INDIA

Bio-geographic classification of India was done by Rodgers and Panwar (1988), describing 10 biogeographic zones in India, further divided into 25 biogeographic provinces. The classification was done using various factors such as altitude, moisture, topography, rainfall, etc. Biogeographic zones were used as a basis for planning wildlife protected areas in India.

BIO-GEOGRAPHICAL CLASSIFICATION OF INDIA

From the stand point of biodiversity, India is given the status of a Mega-diversity zone. There are 10 biogeographic zones witch are distinguished clearly in India. They are as follows
a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i)

Trans Himalayan zone. Himalayan zone. Desert zone. Semiarid zone. Western ghat zone. Deccan plateau zone. Gangetic plain zone. North east zone. Islands present near the shore line.

VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY
Consumptive Value: These are direct use values where biodiversity product can be harvested and consumed directly. Productive Value: These are commercially usable values where product is marketed and sold. Includes lumber, silk and paper Social Value: Associated with social life, customs, religion, and spiritual aspects of the people. Plants such as turmeric and tulsi are used and even worshipped. Ethical Value: also known as existence value. It involves ethical issues like Live and Let Live

LEVELS OF BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity at National Level: Characterized by a countrys biodiversity. 6% of global species are found in India. Biodiversity at regional level: Refers to a richness of species at the regional level. Global biodiversity: About 50-80% of global biodiversity lies in rain forests. There is an estimated 125,000 species of flowering plants are found in rain forests.

HOT SPOTS OF BIODIVERSITY

Areas which exhibit high species richness as well as high species endemism is called as hot spots of biodiversity. There are 35 such hot spots on a global level and only two of which are in India, namely Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats. These hot spots cover less than 2% of the world land area and have about 50% of terrestrial biodiversity.

THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
Loss of Habitat Poaching Man-Wildlife Conflicts

ENDANGERED AND ENDEMIC SPECIES IN INDIA

Group Reptiles Birds Carnivore (Mammals) Species Gharial, Green sea turtle, Star Tortoise Great Indian Bustard, Hornbill Indian Wolf, Red Fox, Sloth Bear, Tiger, Panthers, Asiatic Lion Hoolock Gibbon, Lion Tailed Macaque Orchids, medicinal plants

Primates
Plants

CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
a)

b)

I.

II.

III.

In Situ Conversation: This is done using biosphere reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries Ex Situ Conversation: This is done for plants and crops using facilities like: National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) National Facility for Plant Tissue Culture Repository (NFPTCR)