By

Swapnil C. Lahane

WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY

the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat, a high level of which is usually considered to be important and desirable.

There are three types of biodiversity

Diversity of Species

Diversity of Ecosystem

Diversity of Genes

Diversity of Species

Species is a basic unit of classification and is defined as a group of similar organisms that mate and produce offspring’s with one another and thus, share a common lineage. The numbers of species of plants and animals that are present in a region constitutes its species diversity.

Genetic Diversity

Each member of any animal or plant species differs widely from other individuals in its genetic makeup because of the large number of combinations possible in the genes that give every individual specific characteristic. Thus, for example, each human being is very different from all others.

Diversity of Ecosystem

Ecosystem diversity deals with the variations in ecosystems within a geographical location and its overall impact on human existence and the environment.

BENEFITS OF BIODIVERSITY

Consumptive value: Food/Drink Fuel Medicine Batter crop varieties Industrial MaterialNon-Consumptive Value: Recreation Education and Research Traditional value

THREATS TO BIODIVERSITYNatural causes: Narrow geographical area Low population Low breeding rate Natural disastersAnthropogenic causes: Habitat modification Overexploitation of selected

species Innovation by exotic species

Pollution Hunting Global warming and climate

change Agriculture Domino effect

• India is the seventh largest country in the world.

• Second largest nation in Asia.• land frontier- 15,200 kms• Coastline of 7,516 km. • One of the top twelve megadiversity

countries

Biodiversity Profile of India

No of plant species- 49,219 (12.5% of the world)

No of animal species- 81,251 (6.6% of world fauna.)

No. Category No of species %

1 Bacteria 850 0 67

2 Algae 2500 2. 00

3 Fungi 23000 18.23

4 Lichens 1600 1.30

5 Bryophytes 2700 2.14

6 Pteridophytes 1022 0.80

7 Gymnosperms 64 0.05

8 Angiosperms 17000 13.50

9 Protozoans 2577 2.04

10 Molluscans 5042 4.00

Biodiversity in India

Species endemism among plants- 33%. Endemism among animals

1. mammals –low, only 44 species.2. Birds-low, only 55.3. Reptile-high,187.4. Amphibia- high,110

National parks-89 & Wild life Sancturies-497} 1.56 lkh sq.km- Tiger reserves-27- 37761 sq.km

Area- 38,863 sq. km, (1.2 % of the total geographical area of India.)

Coast line- 560 km .

Altitudes up to 2694 m above msl.

mountainous upland-75-2,694 m above msl- 48% ( Forest

biodiversity)

Biodiversity Profile of Kerala

• Midlands-8-75 m above msl- 42% (Agrobiodiversity)

• Coastal belt-0 to 7 m above msl-10%(Aquatic biodiversity)

• Among the States located within the Western Ghats region, Kerala is the richest in biodiversity.

• Biological Diversity Act, 2002(Central Act No. 18 of 2003)

• Biological diversity rules, 2004• Chapter VI section 22 to 25 of the Act calls

for the establishment of state biodiversity boards by the state governments

• This act and rules provide guidance to union and state governments for:

CONSERVATION STRATEGY – NATIONAL LEVEL

Some Questions

Why should we care about biodiversity? Human activity is causing the diversity of life on earth to be

lost at an accelerated rate (1000 times its usual rate!)

Biodiversity is essential to sustaining the living networks and systems that provide us with, health, wealth, food and fuel.

Without biodiversity life as we know it today would not exist.

Humans are part of natures Biodiversity, we have the power to protect or destroy it.

What can we do? Spend time outdoors Plant trees Support companies that work in ways to

reduce environmental damage. LEARN MORE about Biodiversity.

What else can YOU think of?

ReflectionLets reflect on what Biodiversity means to us and our community and how it influences the way we live. Why should we care about biodiversity?

Thank You