BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

Submitted by:
S.SHIYAM

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1. Introduction 3.

2. Types of biodiversity 4

3. IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY 7

4. BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION METHODS 12

5. ACTION PLAN 13

6. National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries 18

7. Biosphere reserve 21

8. Pollen/Semen Conservation 23

9. Recombinant DNA Technology 25

10. CONCLUSIONS 26

11. REFERENCES 27

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1.Introduction

The term Biodiversity (from “biological diversity”) refers to the

variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems,
and can encompass the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural
processes that sustain life.

Biodiversity includes not only species we consider rare,

threatened, or endangered but also every living thing—from
humans to organisms we know little about, such as microbes,
fungi, and invertebrates.

The term ‘Biodiversity’ was Introduced by an American Biologist

‘Edward Wilson’ .

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms and habitats found

in a defined area.

It represents the totality of genes, species and ecosystem of a

given region.

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 2. Types of biodiversity :

1)Ecosystem Diversity

2)Species Diversity

3)Genetic Diversity

Ecosystem Diversity:-

• All the plants and animals in an area are

interdependent and interrelated in an area forming an
Ecosystem is an area called Ecosystem Diversity.
• In an ecosystem there may exist different landforms,
each of which supports different but specific
vegetation’s. Ecosystem diversity in contrast to genetic
and specific diversity is difficult to assess quantitatively
since the boundaries of the communities, which
constitute the various sub-ecosystems are elusive.

• These complexes are related to composition and

structure of the ecosystem.


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Species diversity

• (Diversity among species). It refers to the variety of

species within a region, i.e. the number of species per
unit area at the site (species richness).

• An estimated 1.7 million species have been described

to date.

• Species are the primary focus of evolutionary

mechanisms and therefore the origin and evolution of
species are principle agents in maintenance of global
biodiversity.

Genetic diversity

• It involves more than just the kind of communities

and species- it depends on the spatial arrangement of
habitats across a large and on the fluxes of energy,
nutrients, disturbances and organisms across the
area.

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Ecological use three different terms for various practical measures
of biodiversity:

• Alpha diversity: It refers to diversity within a particular

area, community or ecosystem, and is measured by
counting the number of taxa within the ecosystem
(usually species).

• Beta diversity: It refers to species diversity between

ecosystems and is measured by comparing the
number of taxa that are unique to each of the
ecosystems.

• Gamma diversity: It is a measure of overall diversity for

difference in Ecosystem.

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3. IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY:

3.1 Ecological role of biodiversity

• All species provide some kind of function to an ecosystem.

They can capture and store energy, produce organic
material, decompose organic material, help to recycle
water and nutrients throughout the ecosystem, control
erosion or pests, fix atmospheric gases, and help
regulate climate. These physiologically processes are
important for ecosystem function and human survival.

• Diverse is the ecosystem better able to withstand

environmental stress and
consequently is more
productive. The loss of a species is thus likely to decrease
the ability of the system to maintain itself or to recover
from damage or disturbance. Just like a species with high
genetic diversity, an ecosystem with high biodiversity may
have a greater chance of adapting to environmental
change. In other words, the more species comprising
ecosystem, the more stable the ecosystem is likely to be.

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3.2 Economic role of biodiversity :

For all humans, biodiversity is first a resource for daily life.

One important part of biodiversity is crop diversity, which is
also called agrobiodiversity.

Most people see biodiversity as a reservoir of resources to

be drawn upon for the manufacture of food,
pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products.
Some of the important economic commodities that
biodiversity supplies to humankind are:

Modern agriculture: Biodiversity is used as a source of

material for breeding improved varieties, and as
biopesticides, biofertilizers etc.

Food: Crops, livestock, forestry and fish. Mangroves

and coral reefs in coastal zone support fisheries.

Medical drugs: Wild plant species have been used for

medicinal purposes since before the beginning of recorded
history. For example, quinine comes from the cinchona tree
(used to treat malaria), digitalis from the foxglove plant
(chronic heart trouble), and morphine from the poppy plant
(pain relief).

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 According to the National cancer Institute, over 70% of the
promising anti-cancer drugs come from plants in the
tropical rainforests. It is estimated that of the 2,50,000
known plants species, only 5,000 have been investigated for
possible medical applications.

Industry: Fibers are used for clothing, wood for

shelter, energy and various other uses. Biodiversity may
be a source of energy (such as biomass). Other industrial
products are oils, fragrances, dyes paper, waxes, rubber,
latexes, resins, poisons, and cork, which all can be derived
from various plant species. Supplies from animal origin
include wool, silk, fur, leather, lubricants and waxes. Animals
may also be used as a mode of transport.

3.3 Aesthetic and cultural benefits :

Biodiversity has great aesthetic value. Examples of aesthetic

value include eco-tourism, bird watching, wildlife, gardening,
etc. Eco-tourism is a source of economical wealth for many
areas, such as many parks and forests, where wild nature and
animals are a source of beauty and joy for many people.
Biodiversity is also part of many cultural and religious beliefs. In
many Indian villages and
towns, plants like Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Ficus religiosa (Pipal),
and Prosopis cineraria (Khejri) and various other trees are
considered sacred and worshipped by the people. Several

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birds, animals and even snake have been considered sacred.
Also, we recognize several animals as symbols of national and
heritage .

3.4 Scientific role of biodiversity :

• Biodiversity is important because each species can give

scientists some clue as to how the life evolved and will
continue to evolve on Earth. In addition, biodiversity
helps scientists understand how life functions and the
role of each species in sustaining ecosystems.

• From above it is clear that the survival and well being of the
present day human population, depends on several
substances obtained from plants and animals. The
nutritional needs of mankind are also met by wild and
domesticated animal and plant species.

• Indeed, the biodiversity in wild and domesticated form is

the source for most of humanity’s food, medicine, clothing
and housing, much of the cultural diversity, and most of
the intellectual and spiritual inspiration.

• It is, without doubt, the very

basis of man’s being.

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It is believed that 1/4th of the known biodiversity, which
might be useful to mankind in one way or the other, is
in serious risk of extinction.

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4. BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION METHODS :

• We must make every effort to preserve, conserve and

manage biodiversity. Protected areas, from large
wilderness reserves to small sites for particular species and
reserves for controlled uses, will all be part of this process.
Protected areas are legally established sites managed
for conservation of biodiversity. Worldwide about 8,163
protected areas cover over 750 million hectares of
marine and terrestrial ecosystems, amounting to 1.5
percent of Earth’s surface.

• India is the second most populous country, and

therefore any plan attempting at conservation must
consider socio-economic development as the mounting
human pressure threatens the biotic resources of the
country. Furthermore, ours is predominantly an agriculture
country, and hence, policy makers should realize that
conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity
is the key to all developmental planning projects.
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5. ACTION PLAN

To conserve the biodiversity, the immediate task will be to

devise and enforce time bound programme for saving
plant and animal species as well as habitats of biological
resources. Action plan for conservation, therefore, must be
directed to:

• Inventorization of biological resources in different parts

of the country including the island ecosystem.

Conservation of biodiversity through a network of

protected areas including National Parks, Wildlife
Sanctuaries,
Biosphere Reserves, Tiger Reserves, Marine
Reserves, Gene Banks, Wetlands,
Mangroves, Coral Refs, etc.;

Rehabilitation of rural poor/tribes displaced due to

creation of protected areas;

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 Conservation of micro-organisms which help in
reclamation of wastelands and revival of biological
potential of land.

Protection and sustainable use of genetic

resources/germplasm through appropriate laws and
practices.

Regular access to biological resources of the country with

the purpose of securing equitable share in benefits arising
out of the use of biological resources and associated
knowledge relating to it.

Control of over-exploitation through TRAFFIC, CITES and

other agencies, and also through
treaties/protocols//environmental protection laws at
National/International level;

Protection of domesticated plant and animal species in

order to conserve indigenous genetic diversity.

Maintenance of corridors between different nature

reserves for the possible migration of species in response to
climate, or any other disturbing factor.
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 Support for protecting traditional skills and knowledge for
conservation.

Multiplication and breeding of threatened species

through modern techniques of tissue culture and
biotechnology.

There are two approaches of biodiversity conservation

namely in situ (on site) conservation which tries to protect
the specie where they are, i.e., in their natural habitat and
ex situ (off site) conservation which attempts to protect and
preserve a species in place away from its natural habitat.

❖ In situ Conservation
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In situ conservation means the conservation of ecosystem
and natural habitat and maintenance and recovery of
viable population of species in the natural surrounding
where they have developed their distinctive characteristics.

• In situ conservation methods pertain to conserving

animals and plants in their natural habitats. It
emphasizes the preservation and protection of total
ecosystems at their original or natural environment. Human
societies have always taken interest in preserving wildlife
areas. The main objective is to recognize a particular
biodiversity rich area and to preserve it so that the
biodiversity can continue to flourish and evolve.

• This involves establishment of protected areas, national

parks, sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, reserve forests etc.
over past few decades there has been an increase in the
number of such areas. Protection of the ecosystem by
simply eliminating factors detrimental to the existence
of species concerned has given good results in conservation
of constituent species, known or unknown.

• In situ conservation of biodiversity is advantageous in

that it is a cheap and convenient method that requires
people’s our supportive role. It maintains all organisms at
different trophic levels from producers to top consumers
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 such as carnivores. In natural environment, organisms not
only live and multiply but also evolve and continue to
maintain their ability to resist various environmental tresses
such as drought storm, snow, temperature fluctuations,
excessive rains, flood, fires, pathogens etc.

• The only disadvantage of in situ conservation is that it

requires larger areas and minimizes the space for
inhibiting human population which is increasing
tremendously. The following areas may be set aside for in
situ conservation.

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6. National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries :

• These are Legally constituted protected areas for

conserving both flora and fauna of a region. In India, the
Wildlife Protection act of 1972 empowers the State
Governments to declare an area as a Sanctuary or National
Park.

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 • There are 102 national parks and 512 wildlife
Sanctuaries, 47 Conservation Reserves and 4 Community
Reserves in the country, covering an area of 1,61,221.57
km2 (4.90% of total geographic area).

National parks (NP):

A National Park is an area of land set aside to conserve

the scenery (or environment) and natural objects and the
wildlife therein.

Under sec. 35 of the wildlife Protection Act

(1972), whenever it appears to the State
Government that an area, whether within a sanctuary or not,
is by reason of its ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological
or zoological importance, needed to be constituted as a
National park for the purpose of propagating or developing
wildlife therein or its environment, it may, by notification,
declare its intention to constitute such as a National Park.

All kinds of destruction, exploitation and removal of wildlife and

damage to the habitat of any animal are strictly prohibited inside
a National park.

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Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLS):

Similar to the National park, a wildlife sanctuary is dedicated to

protect wildlife, but it considers the conservation of species only
and also the boundary of it is not limited by state legislation.

Under Section 26-A (b) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972,

the state government may declare any area comprised within
any reserve forest or any part of territorial waters which is
considered to be of adequate ecological, faunal, floral,
geomorphological, natural or zoological significance for the
purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wildlife or its
environment to be included in a sanctuary.

As per provision of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 no

person shall destroy, exploit or remove any wildlife from a
sanctuary, or destroy or damage the habitat of any wild animal
or deprive any wild animal from its habitat, except the
permission granted by Chief Wildlife Warden, after prior
approval of the state government.
Community Reserves :

It can be declared by the State Government in any private or

community land, not comprised within a National Park,
Sanctuary or a Conservation Reserve, where an individual or
a community has volunteered to conserve wildlife and its habitat.
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 Community Reserves are declared for the purpose of protecting
fauna, flora and traditional or cultural conservation values and
practices.

7. Biosphere reserve :

Biosphere reserves have been described as undisturbed natural

areas for scientific study as well as areas in which conditions of
disturbance are under control. They have been set aside for
ecological research and habitat preservation. Biosphere
Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems
which are internationally recognized within the framework of

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UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme launched in
1971.

Conserve biotic diversity for ecological evidence.

Safeguard genetic diversity for the process of evolution to

act upon.

Provide natural areas for basic and applied research in

ecology and environmental biology.
Provide opportunity for environmental education and
training.

Promote international co-operation.

Promote appropriate sustainable management of the

available biotic resources.

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 Disseminate the experience so as to promote sustainable
development elsewhere.

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8. Pollen/Semen Conservation :

Preservation of pollen and spores is of significant value for

conservation of biodiversity of important flowering and
spore bearing plants. The procedure for institution of
pollen and spore banks is almost similar to that of gene
banks.

Cryogenic technique is useful in preserving pollen from flowering

or cone bearing plants, and spores from non-flowering plants,
such as ferns and mosses. Pollens preservation is thus
advantageous over seeds preservation, as it gives opportunity to
preserve the full range of variation within the population in a
very simple manner.

Pollen grains can be stored under appropriate condition allowing

subsequent use for crossing with living plants materials. Stored
semen can also used for artificial insemination in animals.

A pollen bank can be an extremely powerful tool in plant

breeding since it frees breeders from the tyranny of time. Also, it
is useful in self sterilised plant species.

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9.Recombinant DNA Technology :

The recombinant DNA technology allows us to clone any DNA

in Escherichia coli, and soon it will hopefully be possible to
extend such cloning to yeast and other organisms. Cloned
DNA, therefore, appears to be an attractive candidate for
genetic conservation.

Recombinant DNA technology has still another novel

advantage in that it can make use of genes of plant material
that has lost viability. From DNA libraries of such material, a
relevant gene or gene combination can be retrieved and put to
use.

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10.CONCLUSIONS :

It is imperative that the phenomenon of biodiversity is very vast,

complex and interdependent and there is no single overarching
effect of diversity on either productivity or stability. The
realized effects will depend heavily on environmental context
and the time scale over which the effects are studied.
IT is therefore necessary for legislators to understand the basic
science in order to maintain diversity at its current levels.

If current human growth and resource management patterns

do not change, it is likely that we will lose many important
species, and the ecosystems of the world may never recover.

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11. REFERENCES :

Agarwal, K. C. (2009). Biodiversity: Concept, Conservation

and Management. ISBN: 81-8915305-6.

Ahluwalia, V. K.; Malhotra, S. (2008). Environmental

Science. ISBN-13: 978-1-42007069-9.

Anderson, A. David (2010). Environmental economics and

Natural resource Management. ISBN-13. Research Gate .

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