Presentation on Indian Biodiversity

Submitted by:-Shailja SinghM.Sc 1st SemDeptt of Env. ScBBAU

Submitted to:-Dr. Richa K. TyagiAssistant ProfessorDeptt of Env. Sc.BBAU

Biodiversity - Definition

The variability among living organisms from all sources including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.

Total land area of India - 143 million.ha

India occupies 2.47% of the World’s geographical area and has only 1% of the forest

India has 16.1% of world human population and 15.1% of cattle population

Forest cover in India-23.57%

Biodiversity of India

Continued….

India is sharing 12.53 % of world’s biodiversity

India has 3.9 % of grasslands, 2.0 % of hot deserts, 4.1 m.ha of wetland ecosystems.

India is the 7th largest country in the world and one among the 17 mega diversity centers.

Among 34 globally identified biodiversity hotspots, India harbours 4 hotspots and they are-

Eastern Himalaya Indo-Burma Western Ghats and Sri-Lanka Andaman and Nicobar island

India recorded :

45,000 + species of wild plants

89,000 + species of wild animals

At least 320 species of wild relatives of crops have been originated here.

1,39,000 species of plants, animals

and microbes are recorded

More than 4 lakh species are yet to be identified

There are three mega centers of

endemism and 26 micro centers of endemism.

10 Biogeographic Zones of India

Western Ghats This zone is one of the hotspots of Indianand great natural

resource extends from Kanyakumari in south to the hills of Tapti river in north.

The zone shows exceptionally rich biodiversity. It has 4,000 species of higher plants. There are about 1,800 endemic species. Out of 29 spp of Dipterocarpaceae present in India 13 are found in this region. There are 62 mammal genera. Significant species and species groups restricted to ghats Are as follows:- Primates(Nilgiri langur,Lion Tailed Macaque) Rodents(Platacothomysan endemic monotype genus,the Spiny durmouse) Carnivores(Malabar Civert,rusty spotted cat) It also have large population of tiger,leopard,sloth

bear,Indian elephant and Gaur).

Eastern Himalayas The Eastern Himalayas is the region

encompassing Bhutan, northeastern India and southern central and eastern Nepal.

The Eastern Himalayan hotspot has nearly 163 globally threatened species including the One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), the Wild Asian Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis (Arnee)) and in all 45 mammals, 50 birds, 17 reptiles, 12 amphibians, 3 invertebrate and 36 plant species.

The Relict Dragonfly (Epiophlebia laidlawi) is an endangered species found here with the only other species in the genus being found in Japan.

The region is also home to the Himalayan Newt (Tylototriton verrucosus), the only salamander species found within Indian limits.

Birds• Ardea insignis (White-bellied

Heron)(Imperial• Heron)• Eurynorhynchus pygmeus

(Spoon-billed Sandpiper)• Grus leucogeranus (Siberian

Crane)• Gyps bengalensis (White-

rumped Vulture)• Gyps indicus (Indian Vulture)• Gyps tenuirostris (Slender-billed

Vulture)

Some Endemic species of IndiaPlants• Aralia malabarica• Citrus indica• Cotoneaster

obovatus• Eugenia indica• Gymnostachyum

febrifugum• Hopea parviflora• Euonymus

angulatus

Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fishes• Anoxypristis cuspidata (Knifetooth sawfish)• Batagur baska (Four-toed Terrapin)• Batagur kachuga (Red-crowned Roofed Turtle)• Biswamoyopterus biswasi (Namdapha Flying

Squirrel)• Carcharhinus hemiodon (Pondicherry shark)• Cremnomys elvira (Large Rock-rat)• Crocidura andamanensis (Andaman White-

toothed Shrew)• Crocidura jenkinsi (Jenkin's Shrew), Endemic to

India.• Crocidura nicobarica (Nicobar Shrew)

Thank You All