Biodiversity and Conservation

Biodiversity is the variety and variability of life on Earth. 

Genetic diversity:

The variation in the amount of genetic information within and among individuals of a population, a
species, an assemblage, or a community.

Genetic diversity is the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. Each species
consists of many organisms and virtually no two members of the same species are genetically identical.

Genetic diversity represents the presence of genetic differences between animals

within species, both between and within populations.

Individuals belonging to a species share, by definition, certain characteristics, but genetic variation determines
the particular characteristics of individuals within the species.

Genetic diversity is the difference in the genetic makeup of each individual species, breed or population of a
single variety of species. The genetic variation is caused due to the environmental conditions as well as mating
patterns. The variation un the genes are responsible for the existence of variance in genetic species and a
number of genetic disorders.

Biodiversity which is a significant aspect of an environment is possible only due to genetic variations. The
evolution of variety of plants and animals over centuries have increased the variety of new species, each
playing a vital role in an ecosystem.

The loss of genetic diversity is difficult to see or measure. But the loss of genetic diversity within a
species can result in the loss of useful and desirable traits e.g. resistance to parasites. Reduced
genetic variation may also eliminate options to use untapped resources for food production, industry
and medicines.

What is the significance of genetic diversity?

The huge variety of different gene sets also define an individual or a whole
population's ability to tolerate stress from any given environmental factor. It
also increases the adaptability of organism to particular environment.
While some individuals might be able to tolerate an increased load of pollutants in their
environment, others, carrying different genes, might suffer from infertility or even die
under the exact same environmental conditions. Whilst the former will continue to live
in the environment the latter will either have to leave it or die. This process is called
natural selection and it leads to the loss of genetic diversity in certain habitats.
However, the individuals that are no longer present might have carried genes for faster
growth or for the ability to cope better with other stress factors.

Species diversity :
Species diversity is defined as the number of species and abundance of each species that live in a
particular location. The number of species that live in a certain location is called species richness.

Species diversity refers to the measure of diversity in an ecological community. Species diversity
takes into account species richness, which is total number of different species in a community. It also
considers evenness, which is the variation of abundance in individuals per species in a community.

Species diversity is defined as the number of species and abundance of each species that live in a
particular location. The number of species that live in a certain location is called species richness. If
you were to measure the species richness of a forest, you might find 20 bird species, 50 plant
species, and 10 mammal species.

The physical characteristics of an environment that affect ecosystem diversity are themselves quite
complex (as previously noted for community diversity). These characteristics include, for example,
the temperature, precipitation, and topography of the ecosystem. Therefore, there is a general trend
for warm tropical ecosystems to be richer in species than cold temperate ecosystems (see "Spatial
gradients in biodiversity").

Importance of Species Diversity

There are numerous reasons why species diversity is essential. Each species has a role in the
ecosystem. For example, bees are primary pollinators. Imagine what would happen if bees went
extinct. Fruits and vegetables could be next, and subsequently the animals that feed off them - this
chain links all the way to humans. Various species provide us not only with food but also contribute to
clean water, breathable air, fertile soils, climate stability, pollution absorption, building materials for
our homes, prevention of disease outbreaks, medicinal resources, and more. Let's look at some
examples.
Species diversity contributes to ecosystem health. Each species is like a thread holding together an
ecosystem. If a species disappears, an entire ecosystem can start to unravel.

Ecosystem diversity:

Ecosystem diversity deals with the variations in ecosystems within a geographical location.

Ecological diversity includes the variation in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Ecological
diversity can also take into account the variation in the complexity of a biological community, including
the number of different niches, the number of trophic levels and other ecological processes. An
example of ecological diversity on a global scale would be the variation in ecosystems, such as
deserts, forests, grasslands, wetlands and oceans. Ecological diversity is the largest scale of
biodiversity, and within each ecosystem, there is a great deal of both species and genetic diversity.
An area with four different ecosystems (say boreal, tundra, temperate grasslands, and temperate
forests) has greater ecosystem diversity than the same size area with only two ecosystems (say
temperate grasslands and forests).

Value of Biodiversity:
For example, vegetation cover protects the soil from erosion by binding soil particles and minimizing
the effects of water runoff. Likewise, cultivation of crops is to a large extent dependent on the
availability of pollinating insects.

1. Environmental Value:
The environmental value of biodiversity can be found by examining each ecosystem process and
identifying the ecosystem services that result. For instance, in wetlands the vegetation captures water-
carried sediment and the soil organisms break down a range of nutrients and pollutants washed into
the area.

These processes provide the ecosystem service of purifying water. Wetlands also act as spawning and
nursery grounds for some fish and provide a refuge for animals in times of drought. Some ecosystem
services are easy to overlook until the underlying process is impaired.

2. Social Value:
The social value of biodiversity includes aesthetic, recreational, cultural and spiritual values. To this
can be added health benefits resulting from recreational and other activities. While traditional
societies which had a small population and required less resources had preserved their biodiversity as
a life supporting resource, modern man has rapidly depleted it even to the extent of leading to the
irrecoverable loss due to extinction of several species.

The biodiversity in different parts of the world has been largely preserved by the traditional societies.
Since the indigenous people always protect the forests for their own benefit. In ancient times,
especially in India, the environment in totally i.e., flora, fauna, etc., were held in high esteem.

Trees like Peepal, Banyan and Tulsi are still worshipped. Ladies offering water to Tulsi daily is
considered good and there are festivals when ladies tie sacred threads around Peepal and Banyan
trees and pray for the welfare of their families.

3. Ecosystem Services:
These services also support human needs and activities such as intensely managed production
ecosystems.

Ecosystem service includes:

a. The production of oxygen by land based plants and marine algae;

d. The provision of foods such as fish, pastures for cattle and sheep, timber, fire wood and harvested
wildlife such as kangaroos and native cut flowers;

f. Pollination of agricultural crops, forest trees and native flowering plants by native insects, birds and
other creatures;
g. Pest control in agricultural land by beneficial native predators;

h. Flood mitigation by vegetation slowing run off and trapping sediment;

l. Maintenance of habitats that are attractive to humans for recreation, tourism and cultural activities
and that has spiritual importance.

4. Economic Value:
The economic potential of biodiversity is immense in terms of food, fodder, medicinal, ethical and
social values. Biodiversity forms the major resource for different industries, which govern the world
economy.

4. Diverse group of animals are used for medical research during the testing of new drugs.

3. Many important chemicals have their origin from the diverse flora and fauna, used in various
industries.

1. The major fuel sources of the world including wood and fossil fuels have their origin due to
biodiversity.

5. Consumptive use value:

This is related to natural products that are used directly for food, fodder, timber, fuel wood etc.
Humans use at least 40,000 species of plants and animals on a daily basis. Many people around the
world still depend on wild species for most of their needs like food, shelter and clothing. The tribal
people are completely dependent on the forests for their daily needs.

6. Productive Use Value:

This is assigned to products that are commercially harvested and marketed. Almost all the present
date agricultural crops have originated from wild varieties. The biotechnologists continuously use the
wild species of plants for developing new, better yielding and disease resistant varieties. Biodiversity
represents the original stock from which new varieties are being developed.

7. Aesthetic Value:
The beauty of our planet is because of biodiversity, which otherwise would have resembled other
barren planets dotted around the universe. Biological diversity adds to the quality of life and provides
some of the most beautiful aspects of our existence. Biodiversity is responsible for the beauty of a
landscape.

People go far off places to enjoy the natural surroundings and wildlife. This type of tourism is referred
to as eco-tourism, which has now become a major source of income in many countries. In many
societies, the diversity of flora and fauna has become a part of the traditions and culture of the region
and has added to the aesthetic values of the place.

Bio-indicators:
Biodiversity hot spots:

A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region that is both a significant reservoir

of biodiversity and is threatened with destruction. To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot on Myers 2000
edition of the hotspot-map, a region must meet two strict criteria: it must contain at least 0.5% or
1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics, and it has to have lost at least 70% of its primary
vegetation. Around the world, 36 areas qualify under this definition however there are about 25 areas
declared as hotspots in the world. the area defined as hotspots covers a much larger proportion of the
land. There are four hotspots in India: The Western Ghats, The Himalayas, Indo-Burma Region,
Sundaland.

Threats to biodiversity:
Biodiversity is under serious threat as a result of human activities. The main dangers
worldwide are
Population growth:
Climate change:
Pollution:
Invasive species:
After world war II the accidental introduction of the brown tree snake via aircraft (Figure 4) from the Solomon
Islands to Guam in 1950 has led to the extinction of some species of birds and reptiles endemic to the island. 
Many introductions of aquatic species, both marine and freshwater, have occurred when ships have dumped
ballast water taken on at a port of origin into waters at a destination port. Water from the port of origin is
pumped into tanks on a ship empty of cargo to increase stability. The water is drawn from the ocean or
estuary of the port and typically contains living organisms such as plant parts, microorganisms, eggs, larvae, or
aquatic animals. The water is then pumped out before the ship takes on cargo at the destination port, which
may be on a different continent. 

Overexploitation:
Deforestation and habitat loss:
Poaching:

Biogeography is the study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and

through geological time. Organisms and biological communities often vary in a regular fashion along
geographic gradients of latitude, elevation, isolation and habitat area.[1] Phytogeography is the branch
of biogeography that studies the distribution of plants. Zoogeography is the branch that studies
distribution of animals. Biogeography is an integrative field of inquiry that unites concepts and
information from ecology, evolutionary biology, geology, and physical geography.[2]

Biogeographical classification of India:

Biogeographic classification of India is the division of India according
to biogeographic characteristics. Biogeography is the study of the distribution of species (biology),
organisms, and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time. There are
ten biogeographic zones in India.
 1. Trans Himalayan
2. This is the northern most area of the country around Himalayas. This zone is not related to mountains
but it is the area present surrounding the mountains. This region shows irregular vegetation. It has the
richest wild sheep producing quality wool. Snow leopard is a special animal observable in this zone.
Migratory birds like black neck crane are seen here. The great Indian bustard which is an endangered
species has also been reported in the grasslands west to this zone. Himalayan is a hilly region with
good flora and fauna, exhibiting maximum biodiversity in this region.

Himalayan zone:

The Himalayas consist of the youngest and loftiest mountain chains in the world. The forests are very
dense with extensive growth of grass and evergreen tall trees. Oak, chestnut, conifer, ash, pine,
deodar are abundant in Himalayas. There is no vegetation above the snowline. Several interesting
animals live in the Himalayan ranges. Chief species include wild sheep, mountain goats, ibex, shrew,
and tapir. Panda and snow leopard are also found here.

3. Desert zone.

. The Thar Desert of Rajastan

4. Semiarid zone.
Adjoining the desert are the semi-arid areas, a transitional zone between the desert and the
denser forests of the Western Ghats. The natural vegetation is thorn forest. This region is
characterized by discontinuous vegetation cover with open areas of bare soil and soil-water
deficit throughout the year. Thorny shrubs, grasses and some bamboos are present in some
regions. A few species of xerophytic herbs and some ephemeral herbs are found in this semi-
arid tract. Birds, jackals, leopards, eagles, snakes, fox, buffaloes are found in this region.

5.
6. Western ghat zone.

The Western Ghats or the Sahyadri constitute a mountain range along the western side of India. It is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity in the
world. The range runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the
plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. It represents the mountainous western
zone of south peninsular India having rich flora and fauna with tropical rain forests extending from
Konkan region of Maharashtra up to the western part of Kerala generally called Malabaar coast of
Arabian Sea. Wild relatives of cultivated plants like banana, mango, citrus, black pepper are found
abundantly in this part. At least 325 globally threatened species occur in the Western Ghats.

7. Deccan plateau zone.

This is the central table of south India with rich flora and fauna. But some areas represent semiarid
type of vegetation. Rainfall occurs mainly by the south west monsoon and so limited number of dense
forests is present in Deccan. Deccan platean is represented in the states of Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Kerala.

8. Gangetic plain zone.

 Gangetic plain zone is the most important zone in terms of human concentration in India. It is a vast
enclosed basin of numerous small and large rivers, separated by alluvial divides. The western section,
comprising Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh, is slightly higher in
elevation. Geologically, the whole region is made up of alluvium brought down by the Himalayan
rivers. The upper Ganga plain is a vast stretch of the Indo-Gangetic Plains, where the rivers play an
important role and have a definite influence over the area. The Middle Ganga plain is the transitional
zone between the upper Ganga plain and the Lower Ganga plain. The Lower Ganga plain extends over
Bihar and West Bengal and has a higher rainfall.

9. North east zone.

North east India is the eastern-most region of India connected to East India via a narrow corridor
squeezed between Nepal and Bangladesh. It comprises the contiguous Seven Sister States—Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura—and the Himalayan state of
Sikkim.

10. Coastal zone.

Coastal India spans from the south west Indian coastline along the Arabian sea. It starts from the
coastline of the Gulf of Kutch in its western most corners. It stretches across the Gulf of Khambhat,
and down through Cape Comorin in the southernmost region of South India. In the eastern part it run
through the Cholamandalam Coastline along the Bay of Bengal through the Utkala Kalinga region and
end at the near the Sunderbans in Coastal East India.

11. Islands
12. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of islands at the juncture of the Bay of Bengal and
Andaman Sea, and are a Union Territory of India. The territory is 150 km north of Aceh in Indonesia
and separated from Thailand and Burma by the Andaman Sea. It comprises two island groups, the
Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands, separated by the 10° N parallel, with the Andamans to the
north of this latitude, and the Nicobars to the south. The Andaman Sea lies to the east and the Bay of
Bengal to the west.
In situ conservation of biodiversity:
In situ Conservation is one of the methods of the conservation of genetic resources in natural
populations of plant or animal species. In other words, it is a set of conservation techniques
involving the designation, management and monitoring of biodiversity in the same area where it is
encountered.
Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity: