82155304 Bio Diversity

Environmental Studies

Presentation onBIO DIVERSITY

Guided By Presented ByBijoyen Das(2015)

Vasudev Modi Ayaz Patel (2036)KalpeshThakkar(2049)

DEFINITION The term ‘Biodiversity’ refers to the entire

variety of life forms in existence on earth.

It encompasses the entire range ofmammals, birds, reptiles , amphibians ,fish , insects and other invertebrates ,including plants , fungi and other micro-organisms like Bacteria and Viruses.

Biodiversity (or biological diversity) is a

collective term meaning: the totality and

variety of life on Earth.

It includes genetic diversity within

species; the variety among species; and

the range of ecosystems within which life

exists and interacts.

DEFINITION

Diversity

Genetic diversity:- Due to large number of combinations possible in

the genes that give every individual its specific characteristics.

Species diversity:- The number of species of plants and animals that

are present in a region constitutes its species diversity. 1.8 million species have been identified on earth India is among the world’s 15 nations that are

exceptionally rich in species Diversity.

Diversity

Ecosystem diversity:- Specific regions such as Rivers Lakes Seas Grasslands Deserts Mountains Etc.

Diversity

Biodiversity is broadly identified underfollowing types :

Forests biological diversity. The biological diversity of dry and sub-humid lands Agricultural biodiversity. Biodiversity of inland water ecosystem. Marine and coastal biodiversity.

Bio-geographic classifications of India

The cold mountains snow covered Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh

The Himalayan ranges and valleys of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh , Uttarakhand, Assam etc. The Terai, the lowland where the Himalayan rivers

flow into the plains The Bhrahmaputra plains The desert of Rajasthan Grassland region of Gujarat, Maharashtra,Andhra

Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu

The north-eastern states of India The western Ghats in Maharashtra,

Karnataka and Kerala The Andaman and Nicobar Islands The coastal region with sandy beaches,

forests and mangroves.

Bio-geographic classifications of India

Biodiversity at global, nationaland local levels

There are at present 1.8 million species known

and documented by scientists in the world. However, scientists estimate the number to be 1.5-20 billion! Hence, majority of species are yet to be

discovered.

Biodiversity at global, nationaland local levels

Most of the world’s bio-rich nations are in south,

which are developing nations. But, majority of the countries capable of

exploiting biodiversity are northern nations, in the

economically developed world. These nations however have low levels of

biodiversity. Thus developed world has come to support the

concept that biodiversity must be considered to

be a global resource.

Biodiversity at global, nationaland local levels

However if biodiversity should form acommon property resource to be shared byall nations, there is no reason to exclude oilor uranium or even intellectual expertise asglobal assets.

India’s sovereignty over its biologicaldiversity cannot be compromised without arevolutionary change in world thinking aboutsharing of all types of natural resources.

Biodiversity at global, nationaland local levels

The species found in countries with diversities higher than India are different from our own.

This makes it imperative to preserve our own

biodiversity as a major economic resource. While few of the other mega diversity nations

have developed the technology and genetic

engineering, India is capable of doing so.

Biodiversity at global, nationaland local levels

Throughout the world, the value of biologically rich natural areas is now being increasingly appreciated as being of unimaginable value.

International agreements such as the WorldHeritage Convention attempt to protect andsupport such areas.

India is signatory to the convention and hasincluded several protected areas as worldheritage sites.

Biodiversity at global, nationaland local levels

India has also signed the convention in thetrade of endangered species which is intended to reduce the utilization of endangered plants and animals by controlling trade in their products and in the pet trade.

India as a Mega Diversity Nation

Geological events in the landmass of Indiahave provided conditions for high levels ofbiological diversity.

India’s special geographical positionbetween three distinctive centers ofbiological evolution and radiation of speciesis responsible for our rich and variedbiodiversity.

India as a Mega Diversity Nation

It is estimated that 18% of Indian plants areendemic to the country and found nowhere in the world.

Apart from high biodiversity of Indian wild plants and animals there is also a great diversity of cultivated crops and breeds of domestic live stock.

This is the result of several thousand years during which civilizations have grown and flourished in the Indian subcontinent.

Threats to Biodiversity Habitat loss Habitat degradation Water pollution Land pollution Exotic species

Loss of Biodiversity

We can not afford to be careless with our

natural resources. We share the environment

with other organisms in a complex network. If one species disappears from an

ecosystem, the ecosystem changes. To understand the role people are playing in

biodiversity loss, it helps to think of something called the HIPPO dilemma.

HIPPO Dilemma

Habitat lossIntroduced speciesPopulation growthPollutionOver-consumption

Loss of Biodiversity

Habitat loss - the destruction of habitats is the number one cause of species extinction.

Introduced species - Nonnative or Exotic species are species that are not native to a particular region. These species can threaten native species, which have no natural defenses against them. Example: Birds in Guam

Loss of Biodiversity Population growth -There are 6 billion

humans living on Earth Earth’s population of human beings is

increasing at a rate of about 222,000 people each day.

This is changing the environment dramatically and causing other species to become extinct at an accelerated rate.

Humans take up more and more space and deplete more resources than any other species.

Loss of Biodiversity

Pollution:– The more resources our population

consumes, the more pollution we’re likely to create.

Pollution’s effects can be obvious, such as an oil spill, or not so visually obvious, such as insecticides that can cause reproductive failure in fish, birds, and mammals (like DDT).

Loss of Biodiversity

Over-consumption –

Population growth alone doesn’t account

for the increasing consumption of natural resources that is largely responsible for biodiversity's decline.

Common Plant and Animal Species

Several plant and animal species in the

country are now found in only one or a few

parts. Endanger animals are charismatic species

such as the tiger, the elephant etc. The less well known major mammals,

restricted to a single area, include the Indian

wild ass, the Hangul etc.

Common Plant Species

Teak South West Is grown extensively by the Forest Department Highly Priced Wood

Sal North Eastern Madhya Pradesh and Orissa Common species

Common Plant Species

Common Plant Species

Common Plant Species

Common Plant Species

Common Plant Species

Babul Thorny species Western India Long, sharp, straight thorns

Jackfruit Planted around many villages Huge fruit growing directly from its branches Fruit has prickly skin Fruit is cooked like vegetables

Common Plant Species

Orchids

Largest group of flowering plants in the world North eastern states Flower show a range of bright colours and great variations in structure

Common Animal Species

Mammals Sambars

Live in small family Hilly forested areas Feed mainly leaves of low branches Dark brown in colour Large thick antlers

Common Animal Species

Common Animal Species

Birds 1200 bird species found in India Hornbills

Live on fruit Have heavy curved beaks with a projection on top

Bee-eater Bird of pray Paradise flycatcher

Common Animal Species

Reptiles Lizards Snacks Turtles Tortoises

Marine life Fish Crabs Shrimp

Conservation of BIODIVERSITYIn-situ and Ex-situ

In-situ Conservation

In-situ is the protected areas for wildlife

species such as tiger, lion, elephant, deer etc with the object to preserve them

Such as National parks and Sanctuaries Various projects like Project Tiger, Crocodile

Conservation, Project Elephant There are 589 protected areas in India in

which 89 are national parks and 500 are

Sanctuaries

Ex-situ Conservation

Ex-situ conservation is the conservation of

Wildlife species outside its natural habitat

in a carefully controlled situation such as a

botanical garden for a plant or zoological

park for animals where there is expertise to

multiply the species under artificially managed condition.

Value of Biodiversity

Consumptive valueProductive valueSocial valueEthical valueAesthetic valueOption value

Value of biodiversity

Consumptive use value: The value of biodiversity that arises due to

consumption of natural products.

For e.g.: biodiversity provides people from

all their daily needs ranging from building

material to food , medicine, fodder for

animals, etc.

Value of biodiversity

Productive value: This means using the biodiversity for

economical use. For e.g.: Some leading pharmaceutical

companies are now using wide variety of

wild plants for identifying newer types of

chemicals of great economic value, this is

known as bio prospecting.

The maximum benefit of biodiversity can be

obtained through genetic engineering

Value of Biodiversity

Social value: The consumptive and productive value of

biodiversity is closely linked to social concern

in traditional communities . They have cultural

and religious sentiments associated with it.

Hence we can say that there is a definite

social value associated with biodiversity. For e.g.: The banyan tree is preached all over

India.

Value of Biodiversity

Ethical values: The fact is that there are a thousands of

species existing on earth and man is just a small percentage of them.

Thus it is our ethical and moral duty to preserve and protect them.

Value of Biodiversity

Aesthetic values: Knowledge and appreciation of biodiversity

for its own sake is another reason to preserve

biodiversity. The aesthetic appeal of biodiversity can also be used as a tourist attraction.

Plus there is also a certain degree of symbolism associated with biodiversity, like the lion is symbol of Hinduism, elephant is the symbol of Buddhism.

Value of Biodiversity

Option Value:

Keeping the future possibilities open is called

the option value. Greater we preserve the

biodiversity today, greater options we have

for tomorrow

Thank You