BIODIVERSITY

BIODIVERSITY
• Biodiversity is the variety of plant and
animal life in the world or in a particular
habitat.
• About 8.7 Million species are found on
earth - 6.5 Mn species on Land and 2.2
Mn in Oceans
• Biodiversity is measured by two major
components: species richness, and
species evenness.
• Species richness - It is the measure of
the number of species found in a
community.
• Species Evenness- It is a measure of the
relative abundance of the different
Let us think..
• Are there more plants or animals in this
world ?
• Among Animals which group is
considered to be the most species rich
group ?
• Among vertebrates which group
occupies the highest share?
Note
• More than 70 per cent of all the species
recorded are animals, while plants
(including algae, fungi, bryophytes,
gymnosperms and angiosperms) comprise
no more than 22 per cent of the total.
• Among animals, insects are the most
species-rich taxonomic group, making up
more than 70 per cent of the total.
• That means, out of every 10 animals on this
planet, 7 are insects.
• The number of fungi species in the world is
more than the combined total of the
species of fishes, amphibians, reptiles and
mammals.
 Concepts
Alpha diversity
• It refers to the diversity within a
particular area or ecosystem and is
usually expressed by the number of
species (i.e., species richness) in that
ecosystem.
Beta diversity
• It is a comparison of diversity between
ecosystems, usually measured as the
change in the amount of species
between the ecosystems.
Gamma diversity
• It is a measure of the overall diversity for
the different ecosystems within a region.
GENETIC DIVERSITY
TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY
GENETIC DIVERSITY
• Genetic diversity is the total number of
genetic characteristics in the genetic
makeup of a species.
• A single species might show high
diversity at the genetic level (E.g.
Homo sapiens: Chinese, Indian
American, African etc.).
• India has more than 50,000 genetically
different strains of rice and 1,000
varieties of mango.
• Genetic diversity allows species to
adapt to changing environments.
• This diversity aims to ensure that some
 SPECIES DIVERSITY
• The diversity at the species level.
• It combines both Species richness and
species evenness.
• For example, the Western Ghats have a
greater amphibian species diversity than
the Eastern Ghats.
• In general, species diversity decreases
as we move away from the equator
towards the poles.
• Tropics harbour more species diversity
than temperate or polar regions.
ECOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
• Diversity at the ecosystem level
• India, for instance, with its deserts, rain
forests, mangroves, coral reefs, wetlands,
estuaries, and alpine meadows has a
greater ecosystem diversity than a
Scandinavian country like Norway
TYPES OF SPECIES
KEYSTONE SPECIES
• Keystone species is a species whose
addition to or loss from an ecosystem
leads to major changes in the occurrence
of at least one other species.
• Certain species in an ecosystem is
considered more important in
determining the presence of many other
species in that ecosystem.
• All top predators (Tiger, Lion, Crocodile,
Elephant) are considered as keystone
species because they regulate all other
animal population indirectly.
ENDEMIC SPECIES
• They are confined to a specified
geographical area.
• They are also called as Precinctive
species.
• Ex - Nilgiri Tahr (Western ghats) , Red
Panda (Eastern Himalyas)
INDICATOR SPECIES
• It's presence or absence indicates the
health of the ecosystem.
• Also known as sentinel species
• Early warning signals - as they are
sensitive to signals.
• Ex - Lichen , butterfly, frog
• Tubifex grows only in polluted waters
indicating contamination.
 FLAGSHIP SPECIES
• A flagship species is a species chosen to
represent an environmental cause, such
as an ecosystem in need of conservation.
• These species are chosen for their
vulnerability, attractiveness or
distinctiveness in order to engender
support and acknowledgement from the
public at large.
Sir Peter Scott chose the panda because it • Example: Indian tiger, African elephant,
represented “an animal that is beautiful, is
giant panda of China
endangered and one loved by many people
in the world”.
UMBRELLA SPECIES
• Umbrella species are representative of
other species in their habitat since they
are known species, and they also
determine the area of conservation.
• The protection extended to the other
species by the presence of the umbrella
species is known as the umbrella effect.
• Umbrella species are species selected for
making conservation-related decisions.
FOUNDATIONAL SPECIES
• Foundation species are species that
have a strong role in structuring a
community.
• A foundation species can occupy any
trophic level in a food web (i.e., they can
be primary producers, herbivores or
predators)
• Example: kelp in kelp forests and corals in
coral reefs.
INVASIVE SPECIES
• They colonize new habitats and disrupt
native ecosystems.
• Invasive species can be plants, animals,
insects, bacteria, fungi, etc
Characteristics of Invasive species
• High reproduction
• High dispersal ability.
• Phenotypic plasticity
• Ex- Lantana , Prosopis Julifora , Water
Hyacinth , Eucalyptus
PATTERNS OF BIODIVERSITY
LATITUDINAL GRADIENTS

• In general, species diversity decreases

as we move away from the equator
towards the poles.

• With very few exceptions, tropics

(latitudinal range of 23.5° N to 23.5° S)
harbour more species than
temperate or polar areas.
Why do Tropics have a greater
species diversity ?
• Speciation is generally a function of time,
tropical latitudes have remained relatively
undisturbed for millions of years.
• Tropical environments, unlike temperate
ones, are less seasonal, relatively more
constant and predictable. Such constant
environments promote niche
specialisation and lead to a greater species
diversity.
• There is more solar energy available in the
tropics, which contributes to higher
productivity; this in turn might contribute
indirectly to greater diversity
BIOPROSPECTING
• Bioprospecting is defined as a systematic
and organized search for useful products
derived from bioresources including plants,
microorganisms, animals, etc., that can be
developed further for commercialization
and overall benefits of the society
• The opium poppy gave us a pain reliever
called morphine.
• The white willow tree helped us develop
aspirin.
BIOMINING

• Biomining is an environment friendly

technique of extracting metals from ores,
other solid materials like waste using
micro-organisms.
SIGNIFICANCE OF BIODIVERSITY
• Increase ecosystem productivity; each
species in an ecosystem has a specific
niche—a role to play.
• Support a larger number of plant species
and, therefore, a greater variety of crops.
• Protect freshwater resources.
• Promote soils formation and protection.
• Provide for nutrient storage and recycling.
• Aid in breaking down pollutants.
• Contribute to climate stability.
• Speed recovery from natural disasters.
• Provide more food resources.
• Provide more medicinal resources and
pharmaceutical drugs.
RIVET POPPLER HYPOTHESIS
• The Rivet popper hypothesis’ was used by
Stanford ecologist Paul Ehrlich.
• In an airplane (ecosystem) all parts are joined
together using thousands of rivets (species).
• If every passenger travelling in it starts popping
a rivet to take home (causing a species to
become extinct), it may not affect flight safety
(proper functioning of the ecosystem) initially,
but as more and more rivets are removed, the
plane becomes dangerously weak over a
period of time.
• Furthermore, which rivet is removed may also
be critical. Loss of rivets on the wings (key
species that drive major ecosystem functions)
is obviously a more serious threat to flight
Habitat loss and Over
fragmentation
exploitation

EVIL
QUARTET
Alien species
Co-extinction
Invasion
Habitat loss and fragmentation
• This is the most important cause of driving
animals and plants to extinction.
• Due to the growing human population,
wetlands are being made dry through
landfills, as the demand for land increases.
• Natural forests are cleared for industry,
agriculture, dams, habitation, recreational
sports, etc.
• The most dramatic examples of habitat loss
come from tropical rain forests.
• Once covering more than 14 per cent of the
earth’s land surface, these rain forests now
cover no more than 6 per cent.
Man Animal Conflict
• Human-wildlife conflict is when
encounters between humans and
wildlife lead to negative results, such as
loss of property, livelihoods, and even life.
• Human-wildlife conflicts are becoming
more frequent, serious and widespread
because of human population growth,
agricultural expansion, infrastructure
development, climate change and
other drivers of habitat loss.
Man Animal Conflict

• Human-wildlife conflict is recognised

as a global concern in the UN
Convention on Biological Diversity’s
post-2020 global biodiversity
framework.

• Managing it is crucial to achieve the UN

Vision for Biodiversity 2050 in which
‘humanity lives in harmony with nature and
in which wildlife and other living species
are protected’.
Causes for Man Animal Conflict

• Habitat loss and fragmentation

• Land degradation
• Crop Raiding
• Over grazing
• Lack of alternative livelihoods
• Tourism
• Climate change
• Inadequate waste management
• Lack of awareness and education
Effects of Man Animal Conflict

• Food insecurity
• Injury and loss of human life
• Displacement and relocation
• Strain on resources
• Conservation challenge
• Conflict within communities
Measures to be taken
Habitat Protection and Restoration
• Safeguard and restore natural habitats to
reduce the pressure on wildlife caused by
habitat loss and fragmentation, enabling
animals to find ample resources within their
natural environment.
Early Warning Systems
• Develop and deploy early warning systems,
such as sirens or phone alerts, to notify
communities of approaching wildlife
Crop Protection Measures
• Implement deterrents like electric fences,
chili-based barriers, or noise devices to
protect crops from wildlife, discouraging
animals from entering agricultural areas
Measures to be taken
Bio-Fencing and Trenches:
• Implement bio-fencing using thorny plants
or dig trenches around agricultural fields to
deter wild animals from entering and
causing damage.
Tourism Management:
• Develop and enforce responsible tourism
practices to minimize disturbances to
wildlife and their habitats, reducing stress
and potential conflict.
Q. Examine the reasons for rising incidents of
man- wildlife conflict . Suggest some possible
measures to tackle this problem of modern age
(250 words) -2019 PYQ
Over exploitation
• Humans have always depended on nature
for food and shelter, but when ‘need’ turns
to ‘greed’, it leads to over-exploitation of
natural resources.
• Overexploitation of wildlife can cause
irreversible loss of species , ecosystem
imbalance, economic loss, food
shortages, and spread of pathogens.
• Excessive cutting of trees, overgrazing,
collection of firewood, hunting of wild
animals for skin , ivory (Poaching) etc. all
result in gradual loss of species.
Passenger Pigeon
Extinct
S
E
A
O
T
T
E
Alien species Invasion

• The Nile perch introduced into Lake Victoria

in East Africa led eventually to the extinction of
an ecologically unique assemblage of more
than 200 species of cichlid fish in the lake.
• Invasive weed species like carrot grass
(Parthenium), Argemone, Lantana and water
hyacinth (Eicchornia), have caused great
damage to ecosysems.
• The illegal introduction of the African catfish
Clarias gariepinus for aquaculture purposes is
posing a threat to the indigenous catfishes in
our rivers.
Controlling invasive species

• Culling of species is done.

• In Australia, prickly pear cactus, which is
native to the Americas, was growing out of
control.The government brought in cactus
moth caterpillars to eat the cactuses.
• Chemicals have also been used to control
invasive species, but they can sometimes
harm non-invasive plants and animals.
• Fishing vessels are warned to wash their
boats before returning home. This prevents
them from accidentally transporting zebra
mussels or other species from one body of
water to another.
Co extinction
• Co-extinction is the loss or decline of
related species.
• When a species becomes extinct, then
plants and animals that were
dependent on it also become extinct
in due time.
• It is more evident in Mutualistic
relationships.
• When a host fish species becomes
extinct, its unique assemblage of
parasites also meets the same fate.
Biodiversity conservation

• Biodiversity conservation ensures the

protection and preservation of species
diversity and sustainable
management of species and
ecosystems.
• This is done through various methods
such as the protection of natural areas,
the promotion of sustainable practices
and the restoration of degraded
ecosystems.
Why should we conserve
biodiversity ?
• Narrowly utilitarian Argument- Humans
derive countless direct economic benefits
from nature food (cereals, pulses, fruits),
firewood, fibre, construction material,
industrial products (tannins, lubricants,
dyes, resins, perfumes ) and products of
medicinal importance.

• The broadly utilitarian argument says

that biodiversity plays a major role in
many ecosystem services that nature
provides. Ex- Pollination, Water
filtration, Nutrient cycling.
Why should we conserve
biodiversity ?
Ethical Argument
• The ethical argument for conserving
biodiversity relates to what we owe to
millions of plant, animal and microbe
species with whom we share this planet.
• It is important to realize that every
species has an intrinsic value and it is our
moral responsibility to protect them.
IN-SITU CONSERVATION

• When we conserve and protect the whole

ecosystem, its biodiversity at all levels is
protected.
• Protecting a species within its habitat is
called as in-situ conservation.
• Ex- National parks, Wildlife sanctuaries,
Biosphere Reserves, Sacred Groves, etc
EX-SITU CONSERVATION
• In this approach, threatened animals and
plants are taken out from their natural
habitat and placed in special setting
where they can be protected and given
special care.
• Zoological parks, botanical gardens and
wildlife safari parks serve this purpose.
NATIONAL PARK

• National Parks are areas reserved for

wildlife where they can freely use the
habitats and natural resources.
• Local people not allowed to collect and
use the biomass
• Unlike a Sanctuary, where certain rights
can be allowed, in a National Park, no
rights are allowed.
• No grazing of any livestock shall also be
permitted inside a National Park while in
a Sanctuary, the Chief Wildlife Warden
may regulate, control or prohibit it.
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

• Wildlife Sanctuaries or wildlife refuges are

home to various endangered species.
• They are safe from hunting, predation or
competition.
• Certain rights of people living inside the
Sanctuary could be permitted.
• Grazing, firewood collection by tribals is
allowed but strictly regulated.
• A Sanctuary can be promoted to a
National Park.