Environment Class 01

BASIC INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENT SUBJECT:

 Environment- lithosphere (rock)+ atmosphere(gas)+ hydrosphere(water).
 Life is an outcome of the environment.
 Ecology- the study of all the interactions between biotic and abiotic components.
 Ecology rules and regulations:
 The environment is talking about the implementation of rules.
 Ecology is about the rules and regulations of nature.
 A tree in warm climatic conditions (broad-shaped) and those in cool conditions (cone-
shaped) will have different structures.
 Amur river is between Russia and China.
 Amur Falcon species are found there.
 Amur falcons use to migrate which is a type of adaptation for survival from cold
climatic conditions to warm climatic conditions.
 Pangti Nagaland, an area where Amur Falcon use to migrate, was killed by the
people residing in the area.
 Convention held to save Amur Falcon-Convention Migratory Species.
 Convention, Meeting, and Summit Meeting:
 Convention- meeting on a single point of agenda, like the Convention on Ozone.
 Meetings- SAARC meeting, ASEAN meeting, etc.
 Summit meetings- only the head of the state will meet.
ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT: (02:09 PM)
 Prelims Syllabus- the general issues in environmental ecology, biodiversity, and
climate change that do not require subject specialization.
 Mains Syllabus- conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, and
environmental impact assessment.
 Contents to be covered:
 1. The Environment and Ecology:
 Definition approaches (Aut ecological study, Syn ecological study, holism in ecology).
 Ecosystem, ecosystem type, ecotone, ecocline, components of the ecosystem.
 The function of ecosystems(energy flow, food chain, food web, and ecological
pyramid).
 Nutrient flow (biogeochemical cycles, ecological productivity, ecological succession),
and ecosystem services.
 Biome- different types, the importance of biomes, etc.
 2. Biodiversity:
 Varieties of biodiversity, measures of biodiversity, threats to biodiversity.
 Conservation techniques(in-situ, and ex-situ)
 Wildlife sanctuaries, Biosphere reserves, National parks, Ecologically sensitive
zones, Community Reserves, Conservation Reserves, etc.
 Globally Identified Agriculture Heritage sites (GIAH), FAO.
 Institutions- IUCN, Hot spots, hope spots, Mega biodiverse countries, like-minded
mega-biodiversity countries.
 Conservation International, Ramsar Wetlands, UNCBD (United Nations Convention
on Biodiversity), India, and CBD.
 Ex-situ- captive breeding center
 3. Global Warming and Climate Change: (03:25 PM)
 Few examples mentioned-Spring the equinox, the rise of temp by the year 2020 of
1.1 degrees celsius (IPCC), and its impact globally, etc.
 Consequences- 1972 GHG (UNEP at Kenya), silent spring book highlighting
negative effects of chemicals like DDT.
 Other consequences like Copper smelting, Iron smelting process have negative
impacts, etc.
 Global warming potential/ GWP- (CoP 27- reduction of methane gas), Methane GWP
is 80 times more than CO2.
 Methane is coming from agriculture and wetlands.
 IPCC=UNEP +WMO.
 IPCC assessment reports- UNFCCC, UNCBD, UNCCD.
 Kyoto protocol, Emission Gap Report, Paris Agreement, Climate Action Tracker,
Global Stocktake, Climate fund, Loss and Damage.
 4. Environmental pollution and degradation: (03:55 PM)
 Waste management- e-waste, biomedical waste, plastic waste, etc.
 Environmental Impact Assessment and recent developments.
 National Green Tribunal.
NEXT CLASS TOPIC: Sources, and Environmental Ecology.
Environment Class 02
INTRODUCTION (9:19 AM)
 Sources for the subject.
SOURCES OF ENVIRONMENT (9:20 AM)
 (1) NCERT Class XII-Biology- Chapters 13,14,15,17,18 (a) and 18 (b) or NIOS
Environmental module
 (2) MoEFCC's website- WII-ENVIS (Environmental Information System) (prolonged
discussion on the contents was held).
 (3) PIB: Year-end review
 (4) Yojna/ Kurukshetra
 (5) Newspaper
 (6) Classroom Material + Class Notes
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY (9:56 AM)
 Environment is derived from the word 'Environer' a French word that means 'the
surroundings of the species.'
 The surroundings include both biotic and abiotic factors.
 Biotic includes plant life, animal lives, and microbes, whereas, the abiotic includes
everything around the biotic factors.
 Land-related abiotic factors:
 Rock, soil, land, minerals, topography, slope, and relief, etc.
 Atmosphere-related abiotic factors:
 Sunlight, climate, cloud cover, etc.
 Hydrology-related abiotic factors:
 Moisture, water, salinity, etc.
ECOLOGY (10:19 AM)
 The term was coined by Mr. Ernst Heckel who defined the term Ecology in 1869.
 According to him, it is a combination of two Greek words 'oikos' and 'logos' which
means 'The study of house of living.'
 Ecology is defined as ''a scientific study of interactions and interdependencies
between the species on one hand and between the species and their abiotic
environment on the other hand.''
Important terms in ecology (10:24 AM)
(1) Habitat
 Habitat is a place of living.
(2) Niche
 Ecological Niche is the functional role of specie in an ecosystem.
Competitive Exclusion
 Principle (10:40 AM)

 Whenever there is
competition for the same
food, it is called
a Competitive Exclusion
Principle.
 It is also known as Gause's
Rule.
Types of Niche:
(A) Food Niche
 In the prey and predator relation, if there is a common prey for the two predators, they
can't survive in the same habitat indefinitely.
(B) Habitat Niche
 The species of different types may be living in the same habitat but there is a clear-
cut division at the micro level.
 For example, the birds like woodpecker lives on the stems, birds like sparrow survive
on the top of the trees, and birds like parrots, and crows, live on the branches.
(C) Reproductive Niche
 Reproduction takes place only between the same population.
 Unrelated species may produce an offspring but it is not a fertile offspring.
 For Example,
 Lion + Tiger => Liger
 Lioness + Tiger => Tigon
 Both Tigon and Infertile are infertile species.
 Another example is Mule (cross between Donkey and Horse) which is infertile.
(3) Limiting Factors (11:09 AM)
 A limiting factor restricts the growth of a species.
 Also, its survivability, therefore, are also called a Regulating Factor.
 In the areas, where the evaporation is more than precipitation, the limiting factor is
the availability of water.
 In such areas, Xerophytic vegetation survives.
 The leaves get modified as thorns or spines.
 The stem appears green in color and it performs photosynthesis.
 This is a unique adaptation.
 In the areas where precipitation is more than evaporation the limiting factor is the
availability of sunlight, due to which the leaves become broad in size.
(4) Level of tolerance (11:27 AM)
 Level of tolerance decides the distribution of species.
 It refers to the degree of compatibility with the environment.
 The growth, distribution, and survivability of the species depend on how greatly the
species can tolerate the environmental conditions.
 For Example, in the Western Himalayas, the temperate vegetation can survive while
in the Eastern Himalayas, the tropical vegetation can survive.
 It is also known as the Range of Tolerance.
(5) Carrying Capacity (11:44 AM)
 It is defined as a specie's average population size in a particular habitat.
 The specie's population size is limited by environmental factors like adequate food,
shelter, water, and mates.
Earth Overshoot Day:
 Nature also has a carrying
 capacity.
 Overshoot day is when
humanity has exhausted
nature's budget for the year.
 In 2022, Earth Overshoot Day
fell on July 28.
TOPIC FOR THE NEXT CLASS: HOLISM IN THE ECOLOGY
Environment Class 03
HOLISM IN THE ECOLOGY:
 Flowchart (Species/individual-Population-Community-Ecosystem-Biome-BIosphere).
 A group of similar species is called Population.
 A group of population is called a Community.
 Communities with their surroundings and their interactions are Ecosystems.
 A group of similar ecosystems forms Biomes and different biomes combine to form
the Biosphere.
APPROACHES TO THE ECOLOGY (01:16 PM)
AUTECOLOGY:
 It studies how a species as an individual interacts with its surroundings.
 Acclimatization is a short-term adjustment to the environment.
 For any species to survive it needs to interact and adjust with the environment either
for a short duration called acclimatization or for a long duration or permanently called
adaptation.
 Acclimatization example- people climbing up a mountain takes deep breaths as the
amount of oxygen available is less.
 Adaptation: (01:27 PM)
 Adaptation is for a longer duration or is permanent.
 Types of adaptation ( Structural and Morphological, Behavioral, and Physiological
adaptation).
 Structural and Morphological adaptation:
 The species changes its body structure to survive in the environment.
 For example, polar bears develop fur over the body during cold conditions and the
development of blubber skin by the penguins to protect themselves from freezing
temperatures.
 Moulting is the shedding of fur during summer.
 Professor Allen brought a rule in ecology based on morphological or structural
adaptation.
 Allens rule- the limbs, ears, tail, and snout of the animals living in the cold climate
tend to be shorter than the same animals of the same species living in warm climates.
 Behavioral adaptation (01: 56 PM)
 Actions of an organism, that enable them to survive in its environment, for example,
hibernation in winter by Polar Bear.
 Aestivation is nothing but the spore development by the plants in hot climatic
conditions.
 Another best example of behavioral adaptation is migration.
 Physiological adaptation (02:12 PM)
 The internal parts of the body especially at the cellular level the features of the
organism at the cellular level change to enable them to survive in its environment.
 For example, the snake produces venom to catch the prey in a hostile environment.
SYNECOLOGY (02:25 PM)
 The study of the organization and functioning of communities which are assemblages
of interacting populations of the species living in a habitat.
 In short synecology studies how a group of species are interacting with another group
of species.
 These interactions are also called ecological interactions.
 The ecological interactions can be of different types, but broadly divided into:
 Positive ecological interactions.
 Negative ecological interactions.
POSITIVE ECOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS (02:28 PM)
 Mutualism:
 It is described as an interaction between individuals from different species that bring
positive effects on each other.
 Mutualism is also called (+, +) ecological interaction.
 This is called Symbiosis.
 Symbiosis is a relationship or interaction of 2 dissimilar species, each of which may
receive benefits from their partners that did not have while living alone.
 Symbiosis is of two types- Obligate symbiosis and Facultative symbiosis.
 Obligate symbiosis is also called compulsory symbiosis
 When two dissimilar species come together, both attain benefits but when they move
apart either of the species or both will be affected.
 For example, in the coral reef ecosystem, the coral polyps and the Zooxanthellae live
in an obligate symbiosis relationship.
 Facultative symbiosis is when two dissimilar species interact to acquire extra
benefits but they can live independently even without the symbiosis.
 For example red ants and caterpillars.
 The caterpillars are placed in the path of red ants and the red ants take care of the
caterpillars from the predators.
 In turn, the proteins and the liquids released by the caterpillars act as nutrients for the
red ants.
 Commensalism (03:13 PM)
 Also called (+, 0) interaction.
 In this type of interaction, one individual benefits from another species while the other
is unaffected.
 For example, vultures feed on the dead corpus, donation of blood, and epiphytes.
 Epiphytres are the species that grow as propagule as vascular plants.
 The epiphytes never consume the food of the host.
 They are not parasitic.
 They just take support of the vascular plant.
 When they have grown enough, roots anchors into the soil and become an
independent tree.
 For example orchids, and banyan trees.
NEGATIVE ECOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS (03: 30 PM)
 Amensalism:
 It is (-, 0) interaction.
 Here one species is affected negatively and the other has not been affected at all, or
a very negligible effect may be there.
 Amensalims is of two types- Alleopathy and Antibiosis.
 In Allelopathy, one species is completely unaffected and the other species' growth
may be retarded, but the species is not killed.
 For example, some of the chemicals are released by plants that are allergic to
bacteria or algae, for example, neem act as a biopesticide.
 In Antibiosis, some chemicals released by plants or animals will kill the smaller
species like bacteria.
 Antibiotics developed from antibiosis.
 For example penicillin.
 Predation: (03:45 PM)
 It is (+,-) interaction.
 Very popular interaction among all the interactions.
 It is also called the prey-predator relation.
 In this type of interaction, one species kills another species for its survival.
 For example the relationship between the tiger and deer, and the relation between
deer and grass.
 Parasitism:
 It is (+,-) interaction.
 One is a parasite(benefitted) and the other is the host (at loss).
 In parasitism, there is a new concept called Brood parasitism.
 In this concept - egg mimicry and the Mafia hypothesis are developed.
 Egg Mimicry:
 For example, the Cuckoo bird and Reed warbler as they have similar egg sizes and
colors, the cuckoo bird mimics the egg and places its egg in the nest of the warbler.
 Reed warbler hatches the egg, but the young cuckoo destroys the eggs of the reed
warbler, in order to have food brought by the mother warbler.
 The young cuckoo acts as a parasite and destroys the host reed warbler.
 Mafia Hypothesis:
 When the cuckoo bird lays an egg in the nest of a reed warbler.
 If the warbler won't take the care of cuckoo egg or if it discovers that the egg is not of
its own, then the mother cuckoo destroys the nest of the reed warbler and kills the
eggs of the reed warbler.
 This is called as Mafia Hypothesis.
NEXT CLASS TOPIC: Ecosystem.
Environment Class 04
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS CLASS (1:09:00 PM)
 Holism
 Current development related to ecology - Climatic Lockdown'.
COMPETITION (1:17:51 PM)
 The competition can be between interspecies or Intra species.
 Interspecies: Two unrelated species competing for the same prey.
 The principle of competitive exclusion was proposed by G.F. Gause.
 It states that two species competing for the same resources cannot coexist.
 Intraspecies: Two related species are competing for the same prey.
 Hence, there will be a fight for limited resources, habitat and mates.
ECOLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT SPECIES (1:32:44 PM)
 1. Flagship species:
 They represent one of the ecosystems.
 They are having very great charismatic appeal.
 They act as a brand ambassador for that region.
 The animal can be used as logos, trademarks, and even icons for the region where
they belong, for Example:
 a. The Desert national park, Great Indian Bustard (GIBI) acts as a brand
ambassador.
 b. for WWF panda is the logo.
 c. for Kanha national park of M.P. the Barasingha named 'Bhoorsingh' act as a
mascot.
 2. keystone species:
 They are a very significant species in the ecosystem.
 If the keystone species is removed or if it is threatened the entire ecosystem
collapses.
 For example Honey bees, Starfish and Pygmy hog.
 3. Indicative species:
 These species indicate the health of the ecosystem.
 These species are highly sensitive to minor changes in the habitat.
 They alarmed the coastal communities to take action.
 For example Canary Bird, Coral Polyps, lichens and frogs etc
 4. Foundational species:
 These species lay the foundation for entire ecosystems.
 They are called pioneer species.
 For example Lichens
 5. Umbrella species:
 These species are having a very great character of migrations.
 They migrate to far distances and when the conservator wants to conserve these
species they need to care for entire regions.
 In this process, other species are automatically taken care of.
 For example Elephants, Irrawaddy Dolphins, Panda, Whales and Rhinoceros.
 Note: Important facts about corals.
 Places where corals are found in India.

 Translocation of corals was successfully made possible at Sindhudurg,

Maharashtra.
ECOSYSTEM (3:01:51 PM)
 The ecosystem is the functional unit of the environment.
 Sir Arthur George Tansley a British ecologist brought the concepts of systems in
ecological studies.
 The system resulting from the interaction of all the living species and non-living
elements of the environment is called as an 'Ecosystem'.
 Components: Biotic & Abiotic
 Biotic:
 Autotrophs:
 They are the producers.
 They are self-sufficient, they can prepare their own food.
 If the food is prepared with the help of 'sunlight' then it is called a 'Phototrops'.
 If the food is prepared with the help of 'sunlight' then it is called a 'chemotroph'.
 Heterotrophs :
 They are consumers who depend on plants and animals for nutrition.
 They can be further divided into Phagotrops and Saprotrops.
 Phagotrophs:
 They are also known as macro consumers.
 They can be further classified into herbivores, carnivores and omnivores.
 Herbivores
 They are the primary consumers.
 Carnivores :
 They are depending upon secondary sources.
 Omnivores:
 They are tertiary consumers, they can both grass and animals.
 Saprotropes :
 Saprotroph, also called saprophyte or saprobe, organism that feeds on the
nonliving organic matter known as detritus at a microscopic level.
 They can be further subdivided into decomposers and detritus feeders.
 Decomposers: They are a group of organisms that essentially break down decaying
organic matter.
 Detritus feeders: Those organisms which feed on detritus.
 Abiotic :
 lithosphere: like soil.
 Atmospheres: like sunlight and air
TYPES OF ECOSYSTEM (3:20:05 PM)
 They can be broadly divided into two types i.e terrestrial ecosystems and aquatic
ecosystem
 Terrestrial ecosystem:
 It can be divided into the forest ecosystem, the Grassland ecosystem, the Tundra
ecosystem and the Desert ecosystem.
 Forest ecosystems can be further divided into tropical forests and tropical deciduous
forests.
 The Grassland ecosystem is further divided into two types i.e tropical grassland
(savanna) and temperate grassland.
 Desert ecosystem is can be further divided into two types i.e Hot & cold deserts.
 Hot deserts are further subdivided into three types i.e Reg, Hamada and Erg.
 Reg deserts are the sandy desert. for example-Thar, the Sahara etc
 Erg is rugged and also known as a stony desert, for eg - the Taklamakan desert.
 Hamada is a rocky desert. For example - the Hamada desert.
 Cold desert: for example - Ladakh & Gobi desert.
 Tropical deciduous forest is further subdivided into two types i.e moist and dry.
 Satyamangalam forest and Dandakarnya is the example of moist and dry tropical
deciduous forests respectively.
 Aquatic Ecosystem:
 These can be further divided into freshwater and saline ecosystem.
 Freshwater: It can be further subdivided into two types i.e river and lake ecosystems.
 Transition ecosystem: (3:36:57 PM)
 It is an intermediate stage between aquatic and Terrestrial ecosystems.
 It can be of two types i.e Ecotone and Ecline.
 Ecotone: It is a transition ecosystem between the two larger systems along the
surface.
 Ecocline: It is a transition ecosystem between the two larger systems along the
altitudes.
 The vegetation founds in Himalayan ecosystems :
 At the foothills, Tropical Broadleaf Evergreen vegetation is found.
 Examples of Tropical Broadleaf Evergreen vegetation are Mahagony, Champa,
Ebony, Rosewood etc.
 As we go, vertically upwards at a height of 1500 metres we find Temperate
Evergreen vegetation.
 Examples of temperate Evergreen vegetation like birch, beech, silver and Oak.
 If we move to the height of 2.5km, vegetation changes to coniferous vegetation.
 The species like Deodhar which is endemic to Himalayan ecosystems.
 Alpine grass in Jammu & Kashmir as 'Mergs' for example, Gulmarg and Sonmarg.
 Bhugyal is an Alpine grass found in Uttarakhand.
 There is no vegetation at 4.5 km above sea level, but Rhododendron is found at this
place.
Topics for the next class: Aquatic Ecosystems & Ecotone.
Environment Class 05
A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS CLASS: (01:06:00 PM)
 Revision of Synecology and ecological interactions.
 ECOTONE: (01:09:00 PM)
 These are the transitional ecosystems.
 Edge Effect: At the confluence of the freshwater with the saline water, the waters are
neither too fresh nor too saline, such waters are called brackish water.
 Unique species grow and survive with unique characteristics and such a species can
not exist in either of the adjacent ecosystems, such an effect is called the Edge
Effect, and the species is called Edge Species.
 The Mangrove vegetation is the best example of the Edge Effect.
MANGROVES:(01:19:00 PM)
 Characteristics of the Mangrove vegetation:
 They grow in brackish water.
 They have a Pneumatophoric root system- These roots are elongated and visible
above the water level, they are also called "breathing roots".
 Stilt Roots: They develop these roots, which are the roots that emerge from the stem
and get interlocked with the neighboring trees and thus act as a speed breaker for the
fast-moving tsunami waves and also for the Gale velocity cyclonic winds.
 These trees can grow up to a height of 20-25 meters.
 Salt Secreting Glands leaf system in which the leaves are thought in nature.
 Mangroves require more photo energy and hence they are restricted only in tropical
and subtropical regions.
 They exhibit Vivipary/Viviparity- Which means germination of the seeds over the
body parts of the plants.
 Species of mangroves: Avicennia, Rhizophora, Agar agar, Sundari(Heritiera fomes),
etc.
 Mangroves areas in India:
 Sundarbans (West Bengal)
 Bhitrakanika Mangroves(Odisha)
 Koringa Mangroves (Andhra Pradesh)
 PIcchavaram region (Tamil Nadu)
 Vedaranyam Mangroves(Tamil Nadu)
 Myristica Swamps(Kerala)
 Kundapur Mangroves(Karanataka)
 Goan Mangroves (Goa)
 Ratnagiri Mangroves, and Sindhudurg Mangroves (Maharashtra)
 Gujarat Mangroves in Kutch and Khambahat region.
 Andaman & Nicobars Mangroves.
FUNCTIONS OF ECOSYSTEMS:(01:57:00 PM)
 1. Energy Flow:
 The energy flow happens in the form of the Food Chain and Food Webs.
 Food Chain: The transfer of food energy from plants through a series of organisms is
known as the Food Chain.
 Lindemann's Law of Energy Flow:
 He has developed a law called the "Law of 10 Percent", according to him, the
efficiency of energy transfer from one trophic level to another is 10%.
 The remaining 90% is lost in the process of respiration.
 Trophic Level: The various steps through which the food energy passes in an
ecosystem is called the Trophic level.
 The autotrophs represent the first trophic level followed by herbivores, carnivores,
and omnivores.
 Types of Food Chains:
 1. Grazing Food Chain: It starts with green plants and goes to the decomposer food
chain through herbivores & carnivores.
 2. Detritus Food Chain: It starts with the dead organic matter that goes to the grazing
food chains through the herbivores.
 Both food chains are interconnected.
 Food Web: The interconnected pattern of various food chains in an ecosystem is
known as the Food Web.
 In the food Web different types of organisms are connected at different trophic levels
so that there is a chance for getting more opportunities for the higher species to
survive.
 The difference between the Food Chain and the Food Web is if any species gets
affected in the food chain the entire chain breaks but not the case in the food web.
 There are several options available for the higher species to survive in a food web.
 Significance of Food Chain & Food Web:
 They play a very important role in the ecosystem. Energy flow and nutrient cycling
take place through them.
 They maintain and regulate the population size of different trophic levels and thus
help in maintaining the ecological balance.
 They have the property of Biomagnification.
ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDS:(02:36:00 PM)
 An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation of the relationship between
different organisms at various trophic levels in a food chain.
 the concept was introduced by Charles Elton.
 Types of Ecological Pyramids:
 1. Pyramid of Energy:
 It represents the flow of energy through each trophic level of an ecosystem. It is the
amount of energy present at each trophic level.
 The pyramid of energy also represents the loss of energy at each trophic level.
 The pyramid of energy is always upright with large energy at the bottom.
 2. Pyramids of Number:
 It is the graphical representation of individuals per unit area of various trophic levels.
 It can be either upright or Inverted.
 An upright pyramid of numbers is where the number of individuals decreases from a
lower level to a higher level. For Example, the Grassland ecosystem, Aquatic
Ecosystem, etc.
 An inverted Pyramid of Numbers is when the number of individuals increases from a
lower level to a higher level. For Example, Tree Ecosystem.
 3. Pyramid of biomass:
 The pyramid of biomass shows the amount of biomass present per unit area at each
trophic level.
 Biomass is the organic matter present in an organism and is measured by its dry
weight. Standing crop at a particular time each trophic level has a certain mass of
 Living material is called a standing crop.
 Pyramid of biomass is of two types: Upright and inverted.
 In the case of an upright pyramid of biomass, the biomass of producers will be
maximum. For Example, the Grassland ecosystem
 In the case of an inverted pyramid of biomass, the biomass of producers will be
lowest as they are very tiny and grow and reproduce at a very rapid rate. For
Example Aquatic Ecosystems.
ECOLOGICAL PRODUCTIVITY: (03:23:00 PM)
 Ecological Productivity: It is the rate of biomass production in an ecosystem.
 It of two types:
 1. Primary Productivity:
 The energy flow begins from primary productivity.
 It is the amount of light energy converted to chemical energy by autotrophs in a given
period.
 It of two types:
 a. Gross Primary productivity(GPP): It is the total amount of solar energy that the
producers capture in a given period by the autotrophs called GPP.
 b. Net Primary Productivity (NPP): The energy captured by the autotrophs minus the
energy utilized by the same autotroph is called NPP.
 NPP= GPP- Respiration.
 It is measured in units; Kg/square meter/day. or gm/square cm/day.
 2. Secondary Productivity:
 The energy or biomass synthesized by the consumers is called secondary
productivity.
 It is the NPP that becomes the source of secondary productivity.
 It of two types:
 a. Gross Secondary Productivity(GSP): It is the total energy gained by the consumer
from autotrophs.
 b. Net Secondary Productivity (NSP): The Gross Secondary Productivity minus
respiration is the Net Secondary Productivity.
 NSP= GSP- Respiration.

Primary Productivity Secondary Productivity
It is the rate of synthesis It is the rate of synthesis
of organic matter by the of organic matter by
producers. consumers.
It is comparatively quite
It is comparatively small.
High.
It is due to the synthesis It is due to the synthesis
of organic matter from of organic matter from
inorganic raw materials. the organic matter.
TOPICS FOR THE NEXT CLASS: Continuation of functions of the ecosystem.
Environment Class 06
NET PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY TABLE:
 On the terrestrial ecosystem, the decreasing order of primary productivity:
 Continental ecosystem:
 Swamps and marshes.
 Tropical rainforest.
 Tropical seasonal forest.
 Temperate rainforest.
 Temperate seasonal forest.
 Boreal forest.
 Savanna.
 Cultivated land.
 Shrublands.
 Lakes and streams.
 Temperate grassland.
 Tundra.
 Desert scrub.
 Extreme desert.
 Marine ecosystem:
 Coral reefs.
 Salt marshes.
 Upwelling zones.
 Continental shelf.
 Open ocean.
ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION (09:20 AM)
 The observed process of change in the species structure of an ecological community
over a period of time is called ecological succession.
 The ecosystems are constantly changing.
 The changes in the ecosystems, happen in sequential order.
 It was F.E Clements, who developed the concept of ecological succession.
 According to him' ecological succession is a gradual process of change and
replacement of types of species in a community.
 Each new community makes it harder for the previous community to survive.
 The steps involved in ecological succession are: (09:45 AM)
 Nudation, Invasion, Competition, Co-action, Reaction, and Stabilization.
 Nudation- the development of bare rock areas without any form of species.
 It occurs due to topographic, climatic, and biotic nudations.
 Invasion- it is the successful establishment of a species.
 It's called a pioneer species, like lichens.
 Invasion involves migration, ecesis (establishment), and aggregation invasion.
 Competition and coaction-
 Due to the aggregation of a large number of species in a limited place, there develops
competition for space and nutrition.
 Individuals of species affect each other's life in various ways called coaction.
 Reaction- includes the mechanism of the modification of the environment through the
influence of living organisms on it.
 This is a very significant stage.
 Changes take place in the soil, water, light conditions, temperature, etc of the
environment.
 As a result of the reaction, the environment is modified and becomes unsuitable for
the existing community.
 Which sooner or later is replaced by another community called as a seral community.
 Stabilization- is the final stage of succession, called a climax community.
 The final community is not replaced and the stage is called as climax stage.
TYPES OF SUCCESSION (10:01 AM)
 Basically two types- primary succession and secondary succession.
 Primary succession:
 It is a process of creating life in an area where no life existed earlier.
 For example, a new rock from a volcano makes a new island.
 Primary succession begins with a place without any soil.
 It may be the site of volcanos, landslides, or flooding/water-logged areas.
 It is the lichens that invade the bare rock region to start the succession.
 They are called the pioneer species.
 Secondary succession:
 It is the process of restabilization that follows a disturbance in an area where life has
formed in that ecosystem.
 The secondary succession occurs on the surface where an ecosystem has previously
existed.
 It is the process by which one community replaces another community that has been
partially or totally destroyed.
 It might be by natural processes like floods, earthquakes, etc.
 Difference between Primary succession and Secondary succession: (10:09
AM)
 Primary succession Versus(Vs) Secondary succession:
 Begins with no life Vs follows the removal of existing biota.
 No soil present Vs soil already present.
 New area (example volcanic island) Vs old area ( example following a bush fire).
 Lichens and mosses come first Vs seeds and roots are already there.
 Biomass is low Vs biomass is high.
 Other important terminologies:
 Xerarch succession (bare rock)- rock(lithosere) and sand (psammosere).
 Hydrarch succession (water body).
 Autogenic succession- changes are brought by the species themselves.
 Allogenic succession- changes are brought about due to climatic conditions.
THE NUTRIENT CYCLES/ BIO-GEO-CHEMICAL CYCLES (10:21 AM)
 These are the circular pathways in which the elements circulate from abiotic to biotic
and back from biotic to abiotic.
 These cycles are called nutrient cycles or bio-geo-chemical cycles.
 These cycles are of two types- the gaseous cycle and the sedimentary cycle.
 If the reservoir or the pool is the atmosphere or the hydrosphere, then it is called the
gaseous cycle.
 And if the reservoir is a lithosphere, it is called as a sedimentary cycle.
 Water distribution (10:43 AM)
 Ocean (97%).
 Continents (3%).
 Within the continents-icecaps+ glaciers> groundwater> lakes> soil
moisture>atmospheric moisture>rivers>streams > biosphere.
GASEOUS CYCLE (11:04 AM)
 Hydrological cycle/ Water cycle:
 *Please refer to the diagram as shown on the whiteboard for the water cycle.
 Steps in the hydrological cycle- evaporation-condensation-precipitation-
percolation/surface runoff into the ocean- deposition.
 Carbon cycle (11:22 AM)
 6CO2+6H20+26 ATP--C6H12O6+602.
 *Please refer to the diagram as shown on the whiteboard for the carbon cycle.
 Some types of carbon-blue carbon, black carbon, and brown carbon (smoke).
 Unburnt or semi-burnt carbon solid particles are called black carbon.
 Nitrogen cycle (11: 45 AM)
 *Please refer to the diagram as shown on the whiteboard for the nitrogen cycle.
 Way of fixation of nitrogen- Lightening, Nitrogen fixing bacteria, ammonification,
denitrifying bacteria, etc.
NEXT CLASS TOPIC: Sedimentary cycle, and Biodiversity.
Environment Class 07
A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS CLASS - (09:05 PM)
SEDIMENTARY CYCLE - (09:06 PM)
 It is of two types-
 a) Sulphur cycle -
 It belongs to the sedimentary cycle.
 The major source of sulphur is the sulphide rocks.
 They get deposited in the water bodies and turn the hard sedimentary rocks on
extraction and in industrial use, they release the sulphur gases into the atmosphere.
 The other major source of sulphur in the atmosphere is through volcanic eruption also
with the associated features like -
 Geysers , hot springs and fumaroles.
 The sulphur releases into the atmosphere in the form of hydrogen sulphide H2S.
 The other source of sulphur in the atmosphere is fossil fuels.
 Fossil fuels especially crude oil are of two types-
 a) Sweet crude oil- Found in Iraq, It contains less sulphur. It leads to fewer
pollutants.
 b) Sour crude oil- Found in Venezuela. It contains more hydrogen sulphide. It leads to
more pollutants.
 The sulphur is in the form of gas that condenses and precipitates, down to the
surface and finally finds its way into the water body to turn into sulphide rocks.
 b) Phosphorous cycle -
 It is one of the macronutrients for agricultural crops.
 The phosphorous availability in India is less and we are dependent upon important
fossils.
 The pool of phosphorous is the phosphate rocks.
 Phosphate can be organic or inorganic.
 On weathering, the phosphate rocks erode either by the running water or by fast-
blowing winds and finally end up in the sea or ocean and lock up permanently.
 The cold upwelling in the oceanic currents helps the Phosphates to reach the surface
where they are consumed by the Anchovies of the coast of Peru and Chile.
 These fishes are in turn consumed by the birds and their dropping is rich in organic
phosphates.
 These droppings of the birds are called "Guano".
 Similarly, such a Guano collection is found in India at Kokkare Bellur (Bird Village) a
small village in the district of Mandya in the state of Karnataka.
 The Kokkare Bellur is located close to the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary.
BIO-DIVERSITY - (09:46 AM)
 Definition -
 The variability among the living organisms from all the sources such as terrestrial,
marine and other aquatic ecosystems and ecological complexes of which they are
part, includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.
 The peat soils of Kerala are called KARI soils (these are the Peat soils of Kerala).
 Karewa soils are known as Lacustrine soil.
 Types of biodiversity -
 There are three types of biodiversity -
 1) Species Diversity- Biodiversity at the most basic level.
 It is the variety and abundance of different types of individual species in a given area.
 2) Genetic Diversity - Varieties within the same species that differ from one another
in shape, size, colour etc due to the variations at the genetic level.
 3) Ecosystem diversity - It refers to variability among the species of plants and
animals living together and connected by the flow of energy and cycling of nutrients in
different ecosystems or ecosystem complexes.
 Measuring the Biodiversity-
 Biodiversity is measured based on two important parameters -
 Species Richness - Richness is the number of groups of genetically and functionally
related individuals.
 In Most vegetation surveys, Richness is measured/ expressed as the number of
species and is usually called species richness.
 Species evenness -
 The proportion of species or functional groups presents on a site.
 The more equal species are proportional to each other, the greater the evenness of
the site.
 A site with low evenness indicates that a few species will dominate the site.
 There are three types of measurements based on richness and evenness-
 a) Alpha diversity.
 b) Beta diversity.
 c) Gamma diversity.
 Examples of Alpha, beta, and gamma diversity-
 Now among these sites Alpha Diversity for
 Site A = 7
 Site B = 5
 Group C = 7
 Beta diversity between -
 Site A and C = 10
 Gamma diversity for all these three habitats A, B, and C = 12.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY - (11:18 AM)
 1) Economic significance - Biodiversity provides livelihood in the form of food,
shelter, livelihood etc.
 2) The ecological life-supporting system -
 It helps in pollination.
 It helps in cleaning of air, and water. For example, the role played by the water
Hyacinth.
 Controlling the pest- for example- Bt cotton.
 For example- Aflatoxins- the chemical released by the fungus - is very useful for bio-
pesticides.
 ICRISAT - International Crop Research Institution For Semi-Arid Tropics, especially
the semi-arid areas.
 ICRISAT has developed groundnut seeds which are Aflatoxin resistant.
 3) Recreation -
 Many recreational centres rely on the biodiversity of that region.
 Such as bird watching, Hiking, Kayaking, River rafting, fishing and Paragliding.
 The uneven terrain provides all varieties of climate conditions and so biological
diversity.
 Tourism is depending upon bio-diversity.
 4) Cultural importance -
 The culture of a region is closely associated with bio-diversity.
 5) Biodiversity develops spirituality- The indigenous people are closely connected
with the obligations of biodiversity and they develop their unique culture based on
biodiversity.
 It is the bio-diversity which brings great significance among the people to consider
some of the species as sacred and the entire region where such species are
available is considered as the sacred grooves.
 6) Scientific significance - The biodiversity represents the wealth in terms of
medicated facilities.
 They support humanity by providing genetic resources for unknown epidemics.
THE TOPIC TO BE COVERED IN THE NEXT CLASS WILL BE THREATS TO THE
BIODIVERSITY AND HABITAT DESTRUCTION.
1
SUMMARY
Environment Class 08
INTRODUCTION (05:12 PM)
 A brief overview of the previous class.
BIODIVERSITY (05:17 PM)
 Planetary boundaries
 Resilience capacity
 9 planetary boundaries according to the Stockholm resilience center.
 Threats to biodiversity
 1. habitat destruction: leading to loss of genetic resources.
 The IPCC and IPBES recently identified that habitat destruction is the main reason for
the loss of biodiversity. In the name of spreading urban areas bringing more lands
under agriculture in the name of developmental projects, interlinking rivers, and
constructing canals.
 Man-wild conflict is because of habitat destruction.
 2. Invasive alien species: example of rabbits turning invasive species in Australia.
These species are not native species, they occupy this area, and due to their robust
growth, they consume all the resources of the region and thereby reducing the
biodiversity.
 3. overexploitation of the resources: The institution IPBES has reported that the
overexploitation of the fish is the main reason for biodiversity in the aquatic
ecosystem. Modern agricultural techniques and the development of a high-yielding
variety of seeds only in selected species reduce biodiversity and genetic diversity.
 4. modern way of agricultural techniques
 5. global warming and climate change.
 The unusual changes in the temperature and moisture content both in the soil, as well
as atmosphere, are changing the biodiversity patterns like extreme weather
conditions like heat waves, cold waves, and loss of geographical areas due to
inundation of coastal areas due to the melting of glaciers and expansion of water.
 Carbon stock as per a forest survey of India is of various types-
 1. above ground-level carbon stock;
 2. below ground-level carbon stock;
 3. litter and dead wood;
 4. soil carbon stock
CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY (06:30 PM)
 In situ; Ex situ methods of conservation.

Wildlife Sanctuary National Park
The entire area is
taken care not just
In which only one one species. It
species or a few includes flora and
species are taken fauna. It includes
care of. even monuments
and any
constructions.
The boundaries are The boundaries are
gazetted. delineated.

The state The state

government and the government in
 central government
consultation with
both are having the
the center can
power to announce
announce any area
any area as a
as a national park.
wildlife sanctuary.
No permission is
No person can be
required to enter a
allowed without
wildlife sanctuary.
permission.
Local communities
Permission is
can collect the forest
mandatory.
produce
The national park is
divided into two
zones- the core zone
and the buffer zone.
In the buffer zone
No specific with permission,
divisions within the someone may be
wildlife sanctuary. allowed but in the
core zone, there is
no allowing of
people except for
research and
education.
Tribal people are
Tribes are not
allowed to stay in
allowed to stay.
wildlife sanctuaries.
Wildlife sanctuary
comes under It comes under
category 4 category 2 of IUCN
protection under protection.
IUCN
BIOSPHERE RESERVE (07:00 PM)
 Under the Man and Biosphere program in the year 1971, India is a signatory and
accepted the agreement to announce the protected areas as biosphere reserves.
 Biosphere reserves can be notified only by the center. Its objective is to protect the
ecosystem with its unique genetic diversity together with cultural and economic
aspects.
 A biosphere reserve is divided into three zones-
 1. core zone- this zone is entirely left to nature, with very limited activity like research
and correction of genetic resources allowed.
 2. buffer zone- this zone is meant for monitoring research from education and
training.
 3. transition zone- sustainable human habitations and activities are allowed
 As of today, there are 18 biosphere reserves in India:

 Biosphere reserves Areas
Kerala, Tamil
Nilgiri Nadu,
Karnataka
Nanda devi Uttarakhand
Nokrek Meghalaya
Andaman &
Great Nicobar
Nicobar
Gulf of Mannar Tamil Nadu
Manas Assam
Sundarbans West Bengal
Simlipal Orissa
Dibru Saikhowa Assam
Arunachal
Dehang Dibang
Pradesh
Madhya
Panchmarhi
Pradesh
Khangchendzonga Sikkim
Agasthyamalai Kerala
Achanakmar
Chattisgarh
Amarkantak
Kachchh Gujarat
Himachal
Cold desert
Pradesh
Andhra
Seshachalam hills
Pradesh
Madhya
Panna
Pradesh
 Telia Bhola fish, which has medicinal benefits, was caught on Digha Beach in West
Bengal
The topic for the next class is conservation techniques.
Environment Class 09
DISCUSSION ON PREVIOUS CLASS (05:07 PM)
INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED INDIAN BIOSPHERE RESERVE UNDER
UNESCO (05:18 PM)
 As of today, there are 12 internationally recognized biosphere reserves identified by
UNESCO.
 1. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
 2. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve
 3. Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve
 4. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
 5. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
 6. Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve
 7. Similipal Biosphere Reserve
 8. Achanakmar - Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve
 9. Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
 10. Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve
 11. Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve
 12. Panna Biosphere Reserve
CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES (05:31 PM)
 In situ Conservation:
 Sacred Groves
 Bird Sanctuary: Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary (Andhra Pradesh), Ranganatittu Bird
Sanctuary (Karnataka)
 Wildlife Sanctuary
 National Parks
 Biosphere Reserves
 Community and Conservation Reserves
 Eco-sensitive Zones
 Ex Situ Conservation:
 With respect to Plants:
 Herbariums
 Seed Banks
 Botanical Gardens
 With respect to Animals:
 Zoological Park
 Gene Banks: Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES),
present at CCMB, Hyderabad.
 Stem Cell Banks
 Institution-Based Conservation :
 IUCN
 CITES
 TRAFFIC
 RAMSAR
 UNCBD
COMMUNITY RESERVE/CONSERVATION RESERVE (06:02 PM)
 Conservation reserves and community reserves in India are terms denoting protected
areas of India that typically act as buffer zones to connectors and migration
corridors between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and reserved and
protected forests of India.
 Such areas are designated as conservation areas if they are uninhabited and
completely owned by the Government of India but used for subsistence by
communities and community areas if part of the lands is privately owned.
 These protected area categories were first introduced in the Wildlife (Protection)
Amendment Act of 2002 − the amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
ECOLOGICAL SENSITIVE ZONE (ESZ) (06:20 PM)
 ESZ was the brainchild of Dr. Madhav Gadgil, chairman of the Western Ghat Expert
Ecological Panel (WGEEP).
 Such notified areas should be gazetted under the Environmental Protection Act of
1986. It is an umbrella act.
 Objectives:
 To control human activities around the periphery zones of protected areas.
 ESZ prevents ecological damage caused due to the developmental activities around
the National Park to the Biosphere Reserve.
 ESZ protects the areas from pollution, industries as well as vehicles, also from
honking.
 They act as transition zone between high-protection and low-protection areas.
 Some activities are completely prohibited or banned:
 Mining, and quarrying, construction of thermal power plants, highly polluting
industries
 Some of the activities are regulated:
 Controlled activities which require permission like the construction of hotels and
restaurants, the felling of trees, Laying of underground cables.
 Activities that are completely allowed without permission:
 Agriculture and sustainable allied activities, rainwater harvesting, organic farming,
horticultural activities, solar and wind energy plants.
MEGA BIODIVERSE REGION (07:14 PM)
 The biodiversity of the world is divided into two types:
 A. Biodiversity Hotspots: The hotspots are terrestrial in nature.
 There are places on Earth that are both biologically rich — and deeply threatened.
 The concept of biological hotspots was given by Dr. Norman Myers in the year 1988.
His concept was highly popular because of its criteria.
 To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, the region must meet two strict criteria:
 1. It must have at least 1,500 vascular plants as endemics — which is to say, it must
have a high percentage of plant life found nowhere else on the planet.
 2. It must have 30% or less of its original natural vegetation. In other words, it must
be threatened.
 In 1989, Conservation International adopted the Myers concept and
established Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) for the protection of
Biodiversity Hotspots.
 As of today, there are 36 biodiversity hotspots of which India shares 4 of the
biodiversity hotspots. These 36 biodiversity hope spots account for 2.5 percent of the
earth's land surface.
 But they support half of the world of the world's plant species and nearly 43% of bird,
mammal, reptile, and amphibian species as endemics.
 Biodiversity hotspots in India:
 1. Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspots: These include the places of the Himalayas in
India, Pakistan, Tibet, China, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
 2. Western Ghats and Sri Lanka Biodiversity Hotspots: The Indian states of
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Palk Strait, Gulf of
Mannar
 3. Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspots: Areas of North Eastern India except Assam,
Andaman Group of Islands, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Southern
China
 4. The Sundaland Biodiversity Hotspots: Nicobar Islands, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Singapore, Brunei
 Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF): It is an initiative of Conservation
International, EU, GEF, the Government of Japan, and the World Bank.
 B. Biodiversity Hopespots:
 Hopespots are aquatic biodiversity regions.
 Hope Spots are special places that are scientifically identified as critical to the health
of the ocean.
 In India there are two hope spots:
 1. Andaman Nicobar Hopespots
 2. Lakshadweep Islands
 The institution called Mission Blue is the nodal agency for maintaining the Bio-
diversity Hopespots.
The topic for the next class: Institutions for Conservation
Environment Class 10
MEGABIODIVERSE COUNTRIES:
 Based on certain criteria Megabiodiverse countries are identified.
 17 countries identified as the most biodiversity-rich countries of the world, with a
particular focus on endemic biodiversity.
 These countries are:
 Brazil
 Indonesia
 Colombia
 Mexico
 Australia
 Madagascar
 Philippines
 China
 Peru
 Ecuador
 India
 Malaysia
 Papua New Guinea
 United States of America
 South Africa
 Venezuela
 Democratic Republic of Congo
 The Principle criteria are:
 Endemism, first at the species level and the next at the taxonomic level such as
genus and family.
 To qualify as a mega biodiverse country, a country must have 5000 of the world's
plants as endemic.
 It should have a marine ecosystem within its border.
 Like-Minded Mega Biodiverse countries (LMMC) (01:19 PM)
 It is a group of countries that harbors the majority of the earth's species and is
therefore considered extremely biodiverse.
 These countries are very rich in genetic resources and their traditional
knowledge and can supply solutions to the world countries.
INSTITUTION-BASED CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES (01:26 PM)
INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE (IUCN)
 IUCN is a membership union composed of both the government and civil society
organizations.
 It harnesses the experience, resources, and reach of its more than 1300-member
organization and the input of more than 1500 experts.
 IUCN headquarters are located in Gland, Switzerland.
 IUCN is having 5 priority areas: (01:57 PM)
 Conservation of biodiversity.
 Climate change.
 Green economy.
 Renewable energy.
 Human well-being.
 United Nations General Assembly has granted observer status to IUCN in UNO.
6 COMMISSIONS ARE WORKING UNDER IUCN (02:01 PM)
 Commission on Education and Communication- promoting ecosystem-based
approaches for the management of landscapes and seascapes.
 Commission on Ecosystem Management- harmonizing nature conservation and
the critical social, cultural, environmental, and economic justice concerns of human
societies.
 Commission on Environmental Economic and Social Policy- influencing,
encouraging, and assisting societies to conserve biodiversity by building knowledge
on the status and threats to species.
 Species Survival Commission- advancing environmental law to strengthen the legal
foundations of conservation of nature and sustainable development.
 World Commission on Environmental Law- developing knowledge-based policy,
advice, and guidance on the full suite of issues surrounding protected areas.
 World Commission on Protected Areas- developing and framework of rules for
zoning the protected areas
IUCN WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS (02:09 PM)
 It's the world's largest congregation of scientists, more than 10000 scientists will
attend the meeting once every 4 years.
 IUCN world conservation congress was postponed and was held at Marseille
between the 3rd to 11th of September 2021.
IUCN GREEN STATUS OF THE SPECIES (02:11 PM)
 IUCN Green Status of the Species compliments the red list for providing a tool for
assessing the recovery of species populations and measuring their conservation
success.
 In 2020, Green Status of Species assessments became an optional part of the Red
List assessment.
 In the recent past, the green status of the species became more important and it is
considered a positive effort.
 Mechanism of Green Status of Species:
 A species is fully recovered if it is present in all parts of its range, even those that are
no longer occupied but were occupied before major human disruptions.
 It is viable, meaning not threatened with extinction in all parts of the range.
 The species is performing its ecological functions without any threat in all the habitat.
 These factors contribute towards a green score ranging from 0% to 100 % which
shows how far a species is from its fully recovered state.
 * Pease refer to Handout for various species and their IUCN status.
CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD
FLORA AND FAUNA (CITES) (02:53 PM)
 Also called Washington Convention.
 Parent Organization- IUCN.
 It is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals.
 It was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of
the IUCN.
 Functions:
 To distribute information that will facilitate the identification of specimens of species
included in the appendices.
 Information relevant to several to all parties.
 Proposal to appendices.
 Reference material or news of a new party.
 To coordinate and service the working of the convention.
 To arrange meetings on the conference of the parties and service those meetings.
 To assist in the field of legislation, enforcement, science, and training.
 CITES Vision Statement:
 Conserve biological diversity and contribute t its sustainable use by ensuring that
there is no wild flora and fauna that becomes or remains subjective to unsustainable
exploitation through international trade, so contributing to a significant reduction in the
rate of loss of biodiversity.
 CITES operates with 3 categories of appendixes:
 Appendix 1: It includes heavily threatened species of extinction for which trade is
strictly prohibited.
 Appendix 2: it includes species whose trade is regulated to avoid exploitation.
 Appendix 3: include species protected by individual states to regulate export from
their territory.
 In November 2022, the latest summit of CITES-COP 19 was conducted in Panama
City.
 In COP-19, India got a relaxation from CITES Appendix 2 w.r.t Indian Rosewood
(Dalbergia Latifolia or Sisso).
 Also India requested CITES to include Jeypore Hill Gecko to enlist in the CITES
Appendix 3.
 MIKE program (Monitoring Illegal Killing of Elephants).
TRAFFIC (03:25 PM)
 The wildlife trade monitoring network.
 It is the leading nongovernmental organization working globally on the trade of wild
animals and plants to protect biodiversity and maintain sustainable development.
 Founded in 1976 as an alliance between WWF and IUCN to ensure- that trade in wild
plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.
 It states that through research and analysis, guidance, and influence it promotes
sustainable wildlife trade and combats wildlife crime and trafficking.
 Green stream work- promotes sustainable wildlife trade.
 Red stream work- combat wildlife crime and trafficking.
 TRAFFIC is assigned with the campaign to bring awareness among the people.
 The successful online campaign of TRAFFIC are:
 Don't Buy the Trouble.
 Wanted Alive.
 Big cat highly threatened- tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, and snow leopard (found
only in 12 countries).
RAMSAR CONVENTION ON WETLAND (03:42 PM)
 This is the only international convention on a single ecosystem.
 Wetland is defined as" areas of marshy, swamp, peatland or water, whether natural
or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh or saline
or brackish, including areas of marine water, the depth of which at low tide does not
exceed 6 meters.
NEXT CLAS TOPICS: Varieties of Wetland and UN-CBD.

SUMMARY
Environment Class 11
RAMSAR CONVENTION:
 Two major objectives of the Ramsar Convention:
 Conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands.
 To stop the encroachment and loss of wetlands.
 The conventions were adopted by the participating countries at the meeting in
Ramsar, a small town in Iran on 2nd February 1971.
 Hosted by the Iranian Department of Environment and came into force on 21st
December 1975.
 World Wetland Day was celebrated on the 2nd of February.
 The Ramsar Convention works closely with 6 organizations: (01:32 PM)
 BirdLife International.
 IUCN.
 International Water Management Institution.
 Wetlands International.
 WWF International.
 Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT).
 Other Partners:
 Convention on Biodiversity (CBD).
 Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
 Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
 The World Heritage Convention (WHC).
 Ramsar Convention is having the fund source from: (01:37 PM)
 Global Environment Funds.
 Multilateral Development Banks.
 UNEP.
 UNDP.
 UNESCO.
 The UN Economic Commission for Europe.
 Specific programmers such as UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) program.
 The three pillars on which the Ramsar is working: (01:39 PM)
 Working towards the wise use of wetlands through a wide range of actions.
 Further identification, designation, and management of a comprehensive suite of
sites for the list of wetlands of international importance.
 Cooperating internationally in the delivery of wetland conservation.
MONTREUX RECORD (01:42 PM)
 It is the register of listed Ramsar sites, where changes in the ecological
characteristics have occurred or are likely to occur due to technological
developments, pollution, or other human interference.
 Some of the important wetlands:
 Andhra Pradesh- Kulleru Lake (a freshwater lake), between Godavari and Krishna
rivers.
 Assam- Deepor Beel on lands of Brahmapatutra, Guwahti .
 Bihar- Kabartal wetland.
 Gujrat- Nalsarovar wetland, Thol Lake, Wadhvana.
 Haryana- Bhindawas.
 Himachal- Chander Tal Lake, Pong Dam, Renuk Tal.
 Jammu and Kashmir- Hokera, Surinsar-Mansar Lake, Wular Lake (tectonic lake and
largest freshwater lake of India).
 Karnataka- Ranganathittu Sanctuary.
 Kerala- Asthamudi, Sasthamkotta, Vembanand Kol wetland.
 Ladakh- Tso Kar, Tsomoriri lake.
 Madhya Pradesh- Bhoj Wetland,
 Maharashtra- Lonar Lake (crater lake), Nandur Madhameshwar, Thane Creek.
 Manipur- Loktak lake (Montreux record).
 Mizoram- Pala Wetland.
 Odisha- Bhitarkaninka Mangrove, Chika lake, Hirakud Reservoir, Satkosia Gorge.
 Punjab- Beas Conservation Range, Harike, Kanjli, Keshopur-Miani community
reserve, Nangal wildlife sanctuary, Ropar Lake.
 Rajasthan- Keoladeo Ghana NP(Montreux record), Sambhar Lake.
 Tamil Nadu- Gulf of Mannar, Point Calemere, Pichavaram Mangrove, Vedantthangal
Bird Sanctuary.
 Tripura- Rudrasagar.
 UP- Sur Sarovar, Upper Ganga River, Samaspur bird sanctuary, Parvati Agra Bird
Sanctuary.
 Uttarakhand- Asan Conservation Reserve.
 West Bengal- East Kolkata Wetlands, Sunderbans Wetland.
 *Note-Kumkis are trained elephants.
NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES (NTCA) (02:59 PM)
 NTA is constituted under Wildlife Protection Act 1972, with the minister in charge- of
the Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change as a chairperson and the
Vice Chairman of the Ministry of State in the Ministry of Forest, Environment and
Climate Change with three MPs.
 It is a statutory body established in 2005 as the Tiger Task Force recommended.
 Objectives:
 To provide statutory authority for Project Tiger to make its compliance legal.
 To address the livelihood interest of local communities in Tiger Reserve.
 To foster accountability of both center and state in the management of Tiger
reserves.
 The NTCA's main functions are:
 To approve the tiger conservation plan, prepared by the state government.
 Preserving the tiger reserves and their environment from diverting for non-ecological
and unsustainable uses.
 To increase and support the tiger reserve management in the states for biodiversity
conservation.
PROJECT TIGER (03:09 PM)
 Launched by the Government of India on 1st April 1973, to promote the conservation
of the tiger project.
 Some of its main activities are:
 Supporting the states for capacity building in preserving the tiger reserves.
 Addressing the Man-Animal Conflict.
 Antipoaching activity monitoring.
 Identifying and strengthening the infrastructure within the tiger reserves.
 Addressing the issues of habitat destruction, and encroachment and providing
solutions for improvement in the conditions of the habitat like provisioning water
supply, adequate shelter, and prey.
 It is responsible for taking the census of the tiger once every 4 years.
 India is among 13 tiger range countries and the tiger according to IUCN is an
endangered species.
 According to the wildlife protection act it comes under Schedule 1 and according to
CITES, it's under Appendix 1.
THE BIOGEOGRAPHICAL ZONES OF INDIA (03:20 PM)
 India is a mega biodiversity country with its vast geographical area and varied climatic
conditions, it is enriched with rich biodiversity accounting for 7 to 8% of world
biodiversity within a geo area of just 2.4%.
 Mr. H.S. Panwar and W.A. Rodgers of the Wildlife Institute of India studies the
biogeographical zones and classified India into 10 biogeographical zones.
 Biogeographical zones and Biotic provinces:
 The Trans Himalayan zone (Ladakh mountains and Tibetan plateau).
 Fauna found-Yak, Tibetan ass, gazelle, 4 horned antelope, Tibetan wolf, Himalayan
marmot, Royle's pika, snow leopard, black-necked crans, wild sheep, and goat
community
 The Himalayas (Northwest, west, central, and East Himalayas).
 Flora - Oak, chestnut, ash, pine, blue pine, spruce, silver fir, etc.
 Rhododendrons and varieties of Himalayan Balsam are grown here.
 Fauna- monal pheasants, wild sheep, mountain goats, wild boar, musk deer,
sambhar, chital, ibex, shrew, tapir, red panda, snow leopard, etc.
 The Deserts (Thar, Kutch).
 Fauna-Great Indian Bustard, Camels, Honbara bustard, wild asses, Kutch desert
foxes, Blackbucks, Chinkara, Neelgai, Indian desert Cat, Flamingoes, snakes, and
wolves.
 Flora-Babul, Kikar, grows in areas of moderate rainfall, and in the drier areas flora like
wild palm, Acacia Nilotica, Prosopis cineraria, and Salvadora oleoides.
 Semi-arid zones (Punjab plains, Gujarat Rajputana).
 Flora- Rhododendrons and varieties of Himalayan Balsam are grown here.
 Fauna-Asiatic lions, Chinkara, Blackbuck, Jackals, leopards, eagles, snakes, foxes,
buffaloes, Chowsinga, Neelgai, Florican, & Wolf are found in this region.
 Western Ghats(Malabar plains, Western Ghats).
 The Flora includes Tree shrubs, Climbers, & Orchids.
 The plantations include Tea, Coffee, Cocoa, Rubber, and Cardamom.
 Fauna-Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur, Lion-tailed Macaque, Grizzled giant squirrel, Tigers,
Elephants, Sambar, Gaur, Malabar Civet, Rusty-spotted Cat, and the important
endemic bird-like Malabar Grey Hornbill.
 Deccan peninsular (Central highlands, Chottannagpur, central plateau, Deccan
south).
 Flora-Teak, Sal, Neem, Pipal, Banyan, & Tendu.
 Fauna-Tiger, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Gaur, Sambar, and Chital are found throughout
the zone along with small relict populations of Wild Buffaloes, Elephants &
Barasingha.
 Gangetic plains(upper and lower Gangetic plains).
 Lora-Teak, sal, shisham, mahua, khair.
 Fauna- royal Bengal tiger, Gangetic dolphin, gharials, blackbucks.
 Coastal zones(west and east coast).
 Fauna- Esturine birds, Fish, Crustacea, Marine invertebrates, Whales, Dolphins like
Gangetic Dolphins and Irrawaddy Dolphins, Dugong, Marine Turtleslike Star turtles
and Olive ridley turtles, and Saltwater crocodiles.
 Northeast (Brahmaputra valley, Northeast hills).
 Flora-Shrubs, Climbers, Orchids, Bamboo, ferns, and other plants.
 Here, the wild relatives of cultivated plants such as banana, mango, Betel nut, citrus,
and pepper.
 Fauna-One horned Rhinoceros, Elephants, Gaur, Tiger, Leopard, Pigmy Hog, Amur
falcon, Manipur Brew, Antlered Deer, Sangai Deer, Chital, and Sambar.
 Island(Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshwadeep).
 Fauna-Andaman teal, Narcondam Hornbill, Edible nest Swiftlet, Nicobar Megapod,
Dugong, Olive ridley turtles, Giant Robber Crab, and varieties of coral reef species.
NEXT CLASS TOPIC: Convention on Biological Diversity.
Environment Class 12
CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (CBD)
 UN CBD took birth in the year 1992 at the Rio-Earth Summit.
 It is having three objectives: (01:11 PM)
 The conservation of biodiversity.
 Sustainable use of genetic resources.
 Fair and equitable sharing of benefits sharing arising from the utilization of genetic
resources.
 Till now 15 meetings were held under CBD.
 These meetings are called COP.
 UNCBD meets once every 2 years.
 To achieve the objectives under CBD two protocols were brought.
 In COP5 Cartagena Protocol on biosafety and in COP10 Nagayo Protocol on Access
Sharing and Beneift were adopted.
 Cartagena Protocol (01:19 PM)
 Adopted in the year 2000, and ratified in 2003.
 It provides biosafety guidelines on certification, labeling, packaging, and transport of
Living Modified organisms (LMOs).
 There are 2 instruments under the Cartagena protocol to protect the importing
countries:
 Advanced Informed Agreement AIA.
 Biosafety Clearing House.
 A new amendment called Nagoya-kuallampur Supplementary Protocol to Cartagena
Protocol provides the mechanism of Liability for damage or harm caused due to the
use of LMO.
 Nagoyo Protocol (01:28 PM)
 Adopted in 2010 and ratified in 2014.
 It provides a mechanism for access to genetic resources and benefits sharing to local
communities.
 It helps in empowering the local communities that have protected the genetic
resources for a long period.
 The local communities were given a share in the profit for use of such genetical
resources.
 *Note: There are 8 hottest hotspots:
 Indo-Burma.
 Western Ghats, Sri Lanka.
 Sunda Landa.
 Atlantic coast and the Brazilian forest.
 Madagascar.
 Philippines.
 South African cape.
 Coastal Eastern Africa.
COP15 (02:22 PM)
 COP15 was chaired by China and hosted by Canada, so the summit is called as
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
 The key outcomes:
 This framework addresses ecosystem and biodiversity losses and protects
indigenous rights with 4 goals to be achieved by 2050 and 23 targets to be achieved
by 2030.
 The Global Environmental Facility requested to establish a special trust fund in 2023.
 The fund would have its own equitable governing body dedicated to achieving the
goals of GBF and must be prepared to receive financing from all sources.
 Set a clear indicator to measure progress to form an agreed clinical system based on
the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP).
 The updated NBSAP should be aligned with Kunming- Montreal Global Biodiversity
Framework and its goals and targets to be communicated in Cop16, to be held in
Turkey in 2024.
 *Note: Please refer to the handout for detailed coverage of the CBD (History, Theme
of the convention, Aichi Targets, etc).
KUNMING-MONTREAL GLOBAL TARGETS (03:28 PM)
 The 23 global targets were emphasized on reducing threats to biodiversity, meeting
people's needs through sustainable use of biodiversity, and benefit sharing.
 Also the implementation of tools and solutions to mainstream, biodiversity.
 Some of the important targets are:
 Effective restoration of at least 30 % of the degraded ecosystem by 2030.
 Effective conservation and management of at least 30% of land and oceans by 2030.
 Reduce 50 % of human-induced extinctions.
 Eliminate the impact of invasive alien species by at least 50% by 2030.
 Reduce the pollution risk and impacts from all sources by 2030.
 Reduce the nutrient loss from the risk of pesticides by 50% by 2030.
 Minimise the impact of climate change and ocean acidification on biodiversity.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICE (03:36 PM)
 Biodiversity is the foundation of ecosystem services to which Human well-being is
linked.
 There are four types of services as identified by the Millenium Ecosystem
Assessment Report 2005, they are:
 Provisioning Services- the goods are provided to humans kind such as food, fiber,
timber, and fuel.
 Regulating services- these are benefits of regulation of ecosystem processes like
pollination, pest regulation, and climate regulation
 Cultural services- are the non-material benefits, aestheticism, spirituality,
educational and recreational services.
 Supporting services- are the factors necessary for producing ecosystem services,
like biogeochemical cycles.
 The economics of the ecosystem and Biodiversity (TEEB) is a global initiative
focussed on making nature's values visible.
 The principle objective is to mainstream the value of biodiversity and ecosystem
service into decision-making at all levels.
 Mr. Pavan Sukhdev developed the Green Domestic product concepts which were
uptaken by TEEB in calculating the ecosystem services.
 For this contribution, he was awarded the Tyler Price for environmental achievement
2020.
NEXT CLASS TOPICS: Climate Change and Global Warming
Environment Class 12
CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (CBD)
 UN CBD took birth in the year 1992 at the Rio-Earth Summit.
 It is having three objectives: (01:11 PM)
 The conservation of biodiversity.
 Sustainable use of genetic resources.
 Fair and equitable sharing of benefits sharing arising from the utilization of genetic
resources.
 Till now 15 meetings were held under CBD.
 These meetings are called COP.
 UNCBD meets once every 2 years.
 To achieve the objectives under CBD two protocols were brought.
 In COP5 Cartagena Protocol on biosafety and in COP10 Nagayo Protocol on Access
Sharing and Beneift were adopted.
 Cartagena Protocol (01:19 PM)
 Adopted in the year 2000, and ratified in 2003.
 It provides biosafety guidelines on certification, labeling, packaging, and transport of
Living Modified organisms (LMOs).
 There are 2 instruments under the Cartagena protocol to protect the importing
countries:
 Advanced Informed Agreement AIA.
 Biosafety Clearing House.
 A new amendment called Nagoya-kuallampur Supplementary Protocol to Cartagena
Protocol provides the mechanism of Liability for damage or harm caused due to the
use of LMO.
 Nagoyo Protocol (01:28 PM)
 Adopted in 2010 and ratified in 2014.
 It provides a mechanism for access to genetic resources and benefits sharing to local
communities.
 It helps in empowering the local communities that have protected the genetic
resources for a long period.
 The local communities were given a share in the profit for use of such genetical
resources.
 *Note: There are 8 hottest hotspots:
 Indo-Burma.
 Western Ghats, Sri Lanka.
 Sunda Landa.
 Atlantic coast and the Brazilian forest.
 Madagascar.
 Philippines.
 South African cape.
 Coastal Eastern Africa.
COP15 (02:22 PM)
 COP15 was chaired by China and hosted by Canada, so the summit is called as
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
 The key outcomes:
 This framework addresses ecosystem and biodiversity losses and protects
indigenous rights with 4 goals to be achieved by 2050 and 23 targets to be achieved
by 2030.
 The Global Environmental Facility requested to establish a special trust fund in 2023.
 The fund would have its own equitable governing body dedicated to achieving the
goals of GBF and must be prepared to receive financing from all sources.
 Set a clear indicator to measure progress to form an agreed clinical system based on
the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP).
 The updated NBSAP should be aligned with Kunming- Montreal Global Biodiversity
Framework and its goals and targets to be communicated in Cop16, to be held in
Turkey in 2024.
 *Note: Please refer to the handout for detailed coverage of the CBD (History, Theme
of the convention, Aichi Targets, etc).
KUNMING-MONTREAL GLOBAL TARGETS (03:28 PM)
 The 23 global targets were emphasized on reducing threats to biodiversity, meeting
people's needs through sustainable use of biodiversity, and benefit sharing.
 Also the implementation of tools and solutions to mainstream, biodiversity.
 Some of the important targets are:
 Effective restoration of at least 30 % of the degraded ecosystem by 2030.
 Effective conservation and management of at least 30% of land and oceans by 2030.
 Reduce 50 % of human-induced extinctions.
 Eliminate the impact of invasive alien species by at least 50% by 2030.
 Reduce the pollution risk and impacts from all sources by 2030.
 Reduce the nutrient loss from the risk of pesticides by 50% by 2030.
 Minimise the impact of climate change and ocean acidification on biodiversity.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICE (03:36 PM)
 Biodiversity is the foundation of ecosystem services to which Human well-being is
linked.
 There are four types of services as identified by the Millenium Ecosystem
Assessment Report 2005, they are:
 Provisioning Services- the goods are provided to humans kind such as food, fiber,
timber, and fuel.
 Regulating services- these are benefits of regulation of ecosystem processes like
pollination, pest regulation, and climate regulation
 Cultural services- are the non-material benefits, aestheticism, spirituality,
educational and recreational services.
 Supporting services- are the factors necessary for producing ecosystem services,
like biogeochemical cycles.
 The economics of the ecosystem and Biodiversity (TEEB) is a global initiative
focussed on making nature's values visible.
 The principle objective is to mainstream the value of biodiversity and ecosystem
service into decision-making at all levels.
 Mr. Pavan Sukhdev developed the Green Domestic product concepts which were
uptaken by TEEB in calculating the ecosystem services.
 For this contribution, he was awarded the Tyler Price for environmental achievement
2020.
NEXT CLASS TOPICS: Climate Change and Global Warming
Environment Class 14
LAST CLASS TOPICS REVISED:
 IPCC (UNEP+ WMO), UNCED, UNFCCC, UNCBD, UNCCD, GEF.
 KYOTO protocol, and double threshold.
 Annex countries (polluters may pay), Non-Annex countries, CBDR.
 Annex countries (Annex 1 countries and Annex 2 countries/OECD countries).
 2007 Assessment Report 3.
 2008 to 2012, the Kyoto Protocol started getting implemented.
 5% of global GHG of 1990 levels needs to be brought down.
 Emission cap on developed countries.
FLEXIBLE MARKET MECHANISM (01:28 PM)
 (Joint Implementation (JI), Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Emission trading
(ET)).
 Joint Implementation (JI):
 JI between two Annex countries, for example, JI between Denmark and the Czech
Republic.
 Emission Reduction Units (ERU) certificates generated for successful JI.
 Clean Development Mechanism (CDM):
 CDM between Annex countries and Non-Annex countries.
 For example between Sweden and India.
 Indian Dahanu Solar Power Plant + Sweden via Asian Development Bank.
 Emission trading (ET) (01:49 PM)
 Carbon- commodity.
 Assigned Amount Units (AAU)
 * Note: Please refer to the Climate Change 2 Handout for detailed coverage of
(Various Assessment Reports, Kyoto Protocol mechanisms, IET, CDM, JI, etc).
PARIS AGREEMENT, 2015 (02:11 PM)
 *Note: please refer to the Climate Change 2 Handout for detailed coverage of the
Paris Agreement.
 Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC):
 INDC was coined in Warsaw.
 This agreement urged parties to take national pledges by finalizing their Intended
Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) by November 2015.
 India had pledged to cut the emissions intensity of its growth by 33-35% of GDP from
2005 levels by 2030.
 India has also announced that it would scale up its renewable power target to 450
GW by the end of 2030, in addition to the target of 40% of energy capacity based on
renewable energy sources as pledged under the Paris climate agreement.
 Emission Gap Report
 Climate Action Tracker (CAT) body to check the contribution from the individual
country.
 Net Carbon Neutrailtyby CAT.
 Updated INDIA’s NDC:
 India now stands committed to reducing the Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45% by
2030, from the 2005 level.
 Achieve about 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-
based energy resources by 2030.
 Special Reports in 2018.
 6th Assessment Report in COP26 at Glassgow and COP 27.
 Key Aspects of the Paris Agreement: (02:31 PM)
 Long-term temperature goal
 Global peaking and 'climate neutrality
 Mitigation
 Sinks and reservoirs
 Voluntary cooperation/Market- and non-market-based approaches
 Adaptation
 Loss and Damage
 Finance, technology, and capacity-building support
 Climate change education, training, public awareness, public participation, and public
access to information
 Transparency implementation and compliance
 Global Stocktake.
GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL (02:34 PM)
 It is a measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere up to a
specific time horizon, relative to carbon dioxide.
 It compares the amount of heat trapped by a certain mass of the gas in question to
the amount of heat trapped by a similar mass of carbon dioxide and is expressed as a
factor of carbon dioxide (whose GWP is standardized to 1).
 GWP = Warming caused by a GHG/ Warming caused by CO2.
 * Note: Please refer to the Climate Change Handout for the GWP of some cases
(GHG-GWP-Lifetime).
 Global Warming Potential for Methane is more than that of CO2.
 CH4 is having 80 times more capacity to heat the atmosphere than CO2.
 *Note: Please refer to the Handout Climate Change2 (Commitment Periods and
Targets KP1 and KP2, KP and the US, Durban platform COP 17, Warsaw Poland
COP 19 CMP- 9, Global Methane Pledge, Mission life, GEF).
Difference between Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement (03:17 PM)
 Kyoto Protocol was adopted in the year 1997 and was ratified in 2005.
 Paris Agreement was adopted in the year 2015 and was ratified in 2016.
 Kyoto commitments periods are two- KP1(2008-2012) target of 5 % of 1990
emissions levels and KP2 (2013-2020) target of 18% of 1990 emission levels.
 The Paris Agreement came into force on 1st Jan 2021, and the first contribution
period is from 2021 to 2030.
 The next contribution will be a cycle of 10 years.
 Kyoto Protocol is a centralized and top-down approach.
 Paris Agreement is a bottom-up approach and it is based upon Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDC).
 Under the Kyoto Protocol, Green Climate Fund was set up and managed by World
Bank, though the funds are low.
 The target was to collect 100 billion dollars from Annex countries.
 Under Paris Agreement, additional 100 billion US dollars in climate finance from 2021
to 2025.
 Also support to clean technologies under the Carbon Market mechanism to meet
sustainable goals should be provided by the developed countries to the developing
and underdeveloping countries.
COP26 Glasgow 2021 (03:29 PM)
 India announced elixirs called Panchamrit:
 India will increase its Non-Fossil fuel energy capacity to 500GW by 2030.
 To meet 50% of Energy requirements from Renewable energy by 2030.
 To reduce Carbon emissions by One Billion tons by 2030.
 To bring down the economy’s carbon intensity below 45% by 2030.
 India pledged to achieve the target of NET ZERO EMISSION by 2070.
 India did not sign the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) because it was concerned over
the impact on trade, on the country's vast farm sector, and the role of livestock in the
rural economy.
COP27, 2022, EGYPT (03:35 PM)
 The important developments are:
 Loss and Damage - It refers to impacts of climate change that cannot be avoided
either by mitigation or adaptation.
 They include economic damage to property, loss of livelihoods, and destruction of
biodiversity and culturally important sites.
 It aimed to establish a Loss and Damage Fund.
 It is a financing mechanism to compensate the most vulnerable countries for climate-
linked disasters.
OTHER IMPORTANT CONCEPTS/TERMS (03:39 PM)
 AWARe (Action on Water Adaptation or Resilience):
 AWARe was launched by Egypt’s COP27 Presidency, in partnership with World
Meteorological Organization
 It is an initiative that will champion inclusive cooperation to address water-related
challenges and solutions across climate change adaptation.
 Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund (IRAF):
 These funds support global action on disaster resilience of infrastructure systems,
especially in developing countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
 Global Shield Plan:
 The Global Shield (GS) is a funding mechanism that provides funds for climate
disasters.
 It complements, not replaces, the loss and damage.
 To provide urgent funds in the emergency this fund is designated.
 Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA):
 COP27 has seen new countries including Germany, Japan, the UK, the US, Australia,
etc., join the Global Offshore Wind Alliance to ramp up the offshore wind to tackle the
climate and energy security crises.
 Geo Engineering Techniques (03:47 PM)
 Two types- Carbon sequestration and Solar Management technique.
 Carbon sequestration techniques:
 Carbon capture and storage techniques.
 Biochar technique.
 Oxy-fuel technique.
 Ocean fertilization-SOIReE.
 Enhanced Alkaline weathering.
 Solar Management techniques:
 Cool Roof Technique.
 Marine Sea Brightening.
 Stratosphere Sulphur Aerosol Technique.
 Solar Shades technique.
NEXT CLASS TOPICS: Environmental Pollution.