UNIT I ​ ​ ​ ​ ECOLOGICAL BIODIVERSITY AND ITS AGREEMENT

EASWARI ENGINEERING COLLEGE

(AUTONOMOUS)
RAMAPURAM, CHENNAI 600 089

UNIT I - ECOLOGICAL BIODIVERSITY AND ITS AGREEMENT

PART A

1.​Define Ecosystem.​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K1)

A group of organisms interacting among themselves and with the environment is known as
ecosystem. Thus, an ecosystem is a community of different species interacting with one
another and with their non –living environment exchanging energy and matter.

2.​State the significance and scope of environmental education.​ ​ ​ ​ (K3)

●​ Environmental studies inform the people about their effective role in protecting the
environment by demanding changes in laws and enforcement systems.
●​ Environmental studies develop a concern and respect for the environment.
●​ Environmental studies have a direct relation to the quality of life we live.​

3.​Define ‘bio-diversity’. What is its significance?​​ ​ ​ ​ (K1)

The variety and variability among living organisms and the habitats in which they live.
Biodiversity offers us food, medicine and useful products. Destruction of biodiversity leads
to the extinction of the existing species

4.​Brief the term is food chain? Mention their types.​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K2)

The sequence of eating and being eaten in an ecosystem is known as food chain. These are
of two types 1. Grazing food chain 2. Detritus food chain.

5.​Explain tropical levels or feeding levels?​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K2)

The various steps through which food energy passes in an ecosystem is called as tropic
levels.

6.​What is food web ?​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K2)

The interlocking pattern of various food chains in an ecosystem is known as food web.

7.​Define “Environment”.​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K1)

Anything that surrounds us constitutes environment. The environment comprises of abiotic
(non-living), biotic (living) and the human components. All these components are deeply
inter-related and interwoven.

2
UNIT I ​ ​ ​ ​ ECOLOGICAL BIODIVERSITY AND ITS AGREEMENT

8.​Mention all of the green house gases.​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K2)

Carbon dioxide, Methane, Nitrous oxide, Hydroflurocarbons, Perfluorocarbons and
Sulphur hexafluoride.

9.​Define environmental science. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K1)

Environmental science is the study of the environment, its biotic (ie., biological) and
abiotic (i.e., non-biological) components and their inter relationship.

10.​ List out of the ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and its sources.​ ​ ​
(K2)
Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) are CFCs and halons.​
Sources: Refrigerators, conditional, fire extinguishers and aerosols.

11. Differentiate the terms producers and consumers. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K3)

1.​ Producers - Synthesize their food themselves through photosynthesis.
2.​ Consumers -These are organisms, which cannot prepare their own food and ​
depends directly or indirectly on the producers.

12. List out the biotic and abiotic component of an ecosystem.​ ​ ​ ​ (K2)
​ Biotic component: Plants, animals, microorganisms.
Abiotic component: Water, Soil, air, light, temperature, minerals, climate and pressure.

13. State the purpose of Stockholm Conference. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K2)

The main purpose of conference was
(i)To stimulate international interest in the environment.
(ii)To find ways to regulate transnational environmental problems having no specific
country of origin.
(iii)To combine efforts in managing environmental problems.

14. Illustrate ecological succession? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K2)

The progressive replacement of one community by another till the development of stable
community in a particular area is called ecological succession.

15. Difference between Montreal and Kyoto protocol.​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K3)

The Montreal protocol was established to phase out substances that deplete ozone. But, the
Kyoto protocol was set in place to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases with the
exception to ozone depleting substances.

16. Brief the term ‘consumptive value’ of biodiversity.​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K2)

The bio resource makes a direct contribution to human welfare without passing through a
market. For example, fuel wood is the consumptive use. Further, recreation also considered to
be consumptive use of biodiversity.

3
UNIT I ​ ​ ​ ​ ECOLOGICAL BIODIVERSITY AND ITS AGREEMENT

17. Write a short note on ‘productive value’ of biodiversity.​ ​ ​ ​ (K2)

​ Biodiversity components, which are commercially harvested or is a source for a
commercially harvestable product and the materials pass through a market. For example,
fruits, seeds, latex, timber medicines, fibres, gums, resins, honey etc. are derived from
biodiversity resource.

18. What are In-situ and Ex-situ conservation?​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K2)

i) In-situ conservation: It involves protection of fauna and flora within its natural habitat
where the species normally occurs is called In-situ conservation.
ii) In-situ conservation: It involves protection of fauna and flora outside the natural habitats.
​
19. Explain the term CDM.​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K2)
The CDM allows net green house gas emissions to be reduced at a much lower global cost by
financing emissions reduction projects in developing countries, where costs are lower than in
industrialised countries

PART B

1. Categorize ecosystem with its components? Explain the functions of each component
with examples.​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K4)

Definition
A group of organisms interacting among themselves and with the environment

Structure

Functional components

i. Abiotic components: The non-living components (physical and chemical) of an eco system.
Ex: soil, water, air…
a. Physical components - Energy, climate, raw materials, & living space that biological
community needs. Ex: soil, water, air, sunlight…

4
UNIT I ​ ​ ​ ​ ECOLOGICAL BIODIVERSITY AND ITS AGREEMENT

b. Chemical components Sources of essential nutrients - i. Organic substances: proteins,

lipids… ii. Inorganic substances: Micro elements – Al, Co, Zn, Cu… and Macro elements -
C,H,O,N,P,
ii. Biotic components: The living components of an ecosystem.
a. Autotrophic components:
(i)​ The members of autotrophic components are producers.
(ii)​Autotrophs are self-nourishing organisms.
(iii)​It derives energy from sunlight and makes organic compounds from inorganic compounds
Ex: green plants,
b. Heterotrophic components:
(i)​ The members of heterotrophic components are consumers & decomposers.
(ii)​It depends food for autotrophs.
(iii)​It consumes the producers.
I. Macro consumers- herbivores, carnivores & omnivores.
II. Micro consumers - decomposers.

2.​ Explain the various threats of biodiversity. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K4)

I. Habitat loss
Definition: loss of population of inter breeding organism caused by habitat loss.
Factors influencing habitat loss:
1. Deforestation:
Loss of habitat, Forests and grasslands are cleared for agricultural lands and developmental
projects.Forests and grasslands are natural homes of thousands of species which disintegrates due
to loss of natural habitat.
2. Destruction of wet lands:
Wet lands, estuaries, & mangroves are destroyed by draining, filling & pollution. It cause loss of
bio diversity
3. Habitat fragmentation:
Habitat is divided into small patches-due to this many wild animals and song birds are vanishing.
4. Raw material:
For the production of seeds wild plants used as raw material.
5. Production of drugs:
Pharmaceutical companies collect wild plants and produce the drugs.
6. Illegal trade:
Illegal trade on wild animals reduces biodiversity.
7. Developmental activities:
Construction of dams in forest area & discharge of industrial effluents kill birds aquatic
organisms.
II. Poaching
Poaching means killing of animals (or) commercial hunting. It leads to loss of animal
biodiversity.
1) Subsistence poaching: killing animals to provide enough food for their survival.
2) Commercial poaching: hunting and killing animals to sell their products.

5
UNIT I ​ ​ ​ ​ ECOLOGICAL BIODIVERSITY AND ITS AGREEMENT

Factors influencing poaching

1) Human population: increased human population in our country has led to pressure on forest
resources, which causes degradation of wildlife habitats.
2) Commercial activities: though international ban on trading the products of endangered
species, smuggling of wildlife products continues. Since trading of such wildlife products is
highly profit, poaching is highly profit, poaching makes the poachers to just hunt these
wildlife and smuggle it to other countries.

i) Wildlife products: furs, horns, tasks, live specimens, herbal products.

ii) Wealth of wildlife: the developing nations in Asia, Latin America and Africa have richest
source of biodiversity.
iii) Importers of wild life: the rich countries in Europe and North America, Japan, Taiwan,
Hongkong are the major importer of wild life products (or) wildlife itself.
Example:
a) Male gorilla: in Rwanda and Zaire, it is hunted for its body parts, head and hands
b) Blue morpho butterfly: in Brazil, it is poached for making attractive trays and other objects.
Remedy measures
• Illegal hunting and trade of animal and animal products should be stopped immediately.
• We should not purchase fur coat, purse or bag or item made of crocodile skin or python skin.
• Biodiversity laws should be strengthened.

III. Man-wildlife conflicts

Man- wildlife conflicts arise, wild life starts damage and danger to the man.
It is very difficult for the forest deportment to compromise the affected villagers and to gain
the villagers.
Example:
1. In sambalpur, orissa, 195 humans were killed in the last 5 years by elephants.
2. In mysore several elephant was killed because damage done by the elephant to the
farmers cotton and sugarcane crops.
Factors influencing man-animal conflicts
1. Forest cover compels wildlife to move outside .
2. The forest area induces a conflict between man and wildlife.
3. Injured animals attack the man.
4. Forest department used to cultivate sugarcane, coconut trees.
5. The villagers put electric wiring around their crop fields. The elephant get injured.
6. The cash compensation paid by the government for the damage.
7. Human settlement or food crops near forest area.
Remedial measures:
1. Adequate crop and cattle compensation.
2. Electric current proof trenches to prevent the animals from entering into the fields.
3. Cropping pattern should be changed near the forest borders.
4. Food and water available for the wild animals within forest zones.

6
UNIT I ​ ​ ​ ​ ECOLOGICAL BIODIVERSITY AND ITS AGREEMENT

5. Development and constructional work in forest region must be stopped.

3. Distinguish between In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity and explain. (K5)
(or)
​ Design a comprehensive plan to conserve biodiversity in a specific region.
In-situ conservation:
(i)​ In-situ conservation involves protection of fauna and flora within its natural habitat,
where the species normally occurs is in-situ conservation.
(ii)​The natural habitats maintained under in-situ conservation are “protected areas”.
(iii)​Important in-situ conservation: biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, gene
sanctuary etc.,
Methods of in-situ conservation:
Around 4% of the total geographical area of the country is used for in-situ conservation
The following methods are presently used for in-situ conservation
1. Biosphere reserves
Biosphere reserves cover large area, more than 5000 sq.km. It is used to protect species for long
time.
Role
(i)​ It gives long-term survival of evolving ecosystem, it protects endangered species.
(ii)​It protects maximum number of species and communities; it serves as site of recreation and
tourism
2. National park:
(i)​ A national park is an area for conservation of wildlife with its environment.
(ii)​It is small reserves covering an area of 100 to 500 sq.kms.
(iii)​Within the biosphere reserves, one or more national parks are also exists.
3. Role of wildlife sanctuaries:
(i)​ It protects animals only.
(ii)​It allows the operations such as harvesting of timber, collection of forest products and
forestry operations provided it does not affect the animals.
Restrictions: killing, hunting, shooting or capturing of wildlife is prohibited except under the
control of higher authority.
4. Gene sanctuary: A gene sanctuary is an area, where the plants are conserved. Example:
In northern India, two gene sanctuaries are found available. (a) One gene sanctuary for citrus
(b) One gene sanctuary for pitcher plant
5. Other projects for conservation of animals:
For the protection and conservation of certain animals. Some special projects are framed in our
country.
Examples: project tiger, gir lion projects, project elephant etc.,
Advantages (or) merits of in-situ conservation:
(i)​ It is cheap and convenient method.
(ii)​The species gets adjusted to the natural disasters like drought, floods, and forest fires.
Disadvantages (or) limitations of in-situ conservation:

7
UNIT I ​ ​ ​ ​ ECOLOGICAL BIODIVERSITY AND ITS AGREEMENT

(i)​ A large surface area of earth is required to preserve the biodiversity.

(ii)​Maintenance of habitat is not proper due to shortage of staff and pollution.
Ex-situ conservation:
(i)​ It involves maintenance and breeding of endangered plants and animal species under
uncontrolled condition.
(ii)​It identifies those species which are at more risk of extinction.
(iii)​It prefers the species, which are more important to man in near future among the endangered
species.
Methods of ex-situ conservation
The following important gene bank (or) seed bank facilities are used in ex-situ conservation.
1) National bureau of plants genetic recourses (NBPGR): it is located in New Delhi. It uses
cryo preservation techniques to preserve agricultural and horticultural crops.
2) National bureau of animal genetic resources (NBAGR):
It is located at karnal, Haryana. It preserves the semen of domesticated bovine animals.
3) National facility for plant tissue culture repository (NFPTCR):
It develops the facility for conservation of varieties of crop or trees by tissue culture. This facility
has been created within NBPGR
Advantages of ex-situ conservation
(i)​ Survival of endangered species is increasing due to special care and attention.
(ii)​In captive breeding, animals are assured food, water, shelter and also security and hence
longer life span.
(iii)​It is carried out in cases of endangered species, which do not have any changes of survival, in
the world.

4. Explain the stages in ecological succession using appropriate terminology.​ ​ (K4)

Definition: The progressive replacement of one community by another till the development of
stable community in a particular area.
Stages:
1. Pioneer community:
The first group of organism, which establishes their community in the area, is called pioneer
community.
2. Seres (or) seral stage:
The various developmental stages of a community. (Community- The group of plants or animals
living in an area)
Types:
1. Primary succession:
It involves the gradual establishment of biotic communities on a lifeless ground.
2. Secondary succession:
It involves the establishment of biotic communities in an area; some type of biotic community is
already present.
Process:
1. Nudation: Development of a bare area without any life forms.

8
UNIT I ​ ​ ​ ​ ECOLOGICAL BIODIVERSITY AND ITS AGREEMENT

2. Invasion: Establishment of one or more species on a bare area through migration

followed by establishment.
3. Migration: Migration of seeds is brought about by wind, water or birds.
4. Establishment:
Seed germinate and grow on land and establishes their pioneer communities.
5. Competition: Individual species grow; there is competition with the same species and
between different species for space, water and nutrients.
6. Reaction: Living organisms take water, nutrient to grow and modify the environment is
known as reaction. This modification becomes unsuitable for the existing species, which
replacing the existing species. This leads to seral communities
7. Stabilization: It leads to stable community, equilibrium with environment

5. Interpret the values of biodiversity. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K6)

Values of biodiversity
Biosphere is a life supporting system to the human beings
It is the combination of different organisms. Each organism in the biosphere has its own
significance
Classification and importance of value of biodiversity
1. Consumptive use value
●​ Biodiversity products have obtained commercial values.
●​ Products are marketed and sold.
●​ Derived from plants and animals.
2. Productive use value
These are direct use values, where the biodiversity products are harvested and consumed
directly. Ex: food, drug, fuel etc.
3. Social values
It refers to manner in which the bio-resources are used to the society.
These values are associated with social life, religion and spiritual aspects.
Ex: Holy plants: many plants are considered as holy plants in our country.
Tulasi, peepal, lotus, bael, etc.,
Holly animals: cow, bull, peacock, rat, etc.,
4. Ethical value
It involves ethical issues like “all life must be preserved”. India and other countries
biodiversity is considered to have great value on religious and our rich heritage teaches us to
work ship plants, animals, rivers and mountains.
The ethical value means that a species may or may not be used, but its existence in nature
gives us pleasure.
5. Aesthetic values
The beautiful nature of plants and animals insist us to protect the biodiversity. The
most important aesthetic value of biodiversity is eco-tourism
Example:
Eco-tourism:
People from far place spend a lot of time and money to visit the beautiful areas, where they
can enjoy the aesthetic value of biodiversity.

9
UNIT I ​ ​ ​ ​ ECOLOGICAL BIODIVERSITY AND ITS AGREEMENT

The pleasant music of wild birds, colour of flowers and peacock are very important for their
aesthetic value.
6. Option values
The option values are the potentials of biodiversity that are presently unknown and need to be
known.
Examples:
• The growing biotechnology field is searching a species for causing the diseases of cancer
and aids.
• Medicinal plants and herbs play a very important role in our Indian economic growth

6. Explain Environmental agreement - Stockholm conference and Montreal protocol 1987.​

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (K4)
Environmental agreement or Environmental protocol:
Environmental agreement is a type of treaty binding in international law, allowing them to
reach an environmental goal
Stockholm Conference on human environment 1972
It is a global treaty that aims to protect human health and the environment from the effects of
persistent organic pollutants.
Purpose of Stockholm conference
The main purpose of conference was
To stimulate international interest in the environment.
To find ways to regulate transnational environmental problems having no specific country of
origin.
To combine efforts in managing environmental problems.

The 1972 United National Conference on the human environment in Stockholm was the first
world conference to make the environment a major issue.
The Stockholm declaration contains 26 principles, placed environmental issues at the forefront
of international concerns. It marked the start of a dialogue between industrialized and
developing countries on the link between economic growth, pollution of air, water oceans and
the well-being of the people around the world.
Principle
Human rights must be asserted.
Natural resources must be safe guarded.
The earth’s capacity to produce renewable resources must be maintained.

Montreal protocol 1987

The Montreal protocol, finalized in 1987 is a global agreement to protect the stratospheric
ozone layer by phasing out the production and conception of ozone-depleting substances
(ODS). 197 signed in the Montreal protocol.
ODS are substances that were commonly used in products such as refrigerators, conditional,
fire extinguishers and aerosols.
The initial agreement was design to reduce the production and consumption of several types of
CFCs and halons to 80% of 1986 levels by 1994 and 50% of 1986 levels by 1999. The
protocol went into effect on January 1, 1989. Since then the agreement has been amended to

10
UNIT I ​ ​ ​ ​ ECOLOGICAL BIODIVERSITY AND ITS AGREEMENT

further reduce and completely phase out CFCs and halons as well as the manufacture and use
of carbon tetrachloride, trichloro ethane, hydroflurocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons,
methyl bromide.
Effect of Montreal protocol
1. The atmospheric concentrations of important chlorofluorocarbons have decreased.
2. The rate of increase in concentration of halon has slow and their abundance are expected to
begin to decline about 2020.

7. Discuss in detail about COP, Kyoto protocol and CDM. ​ ​ ​ ​ (K3)

Conference of the parties (COP)

The COP is the supreme decision making body of the convention (UNFCCC). It includes
representatives of all the countries that are signatories (parties) to the UNFCCC. COP accesses
the effects of measures, introduced by the parties to limit the climate change against the overall
goal of the UNFCCC.
197 countries that have signed on the framework convention. It is used to bring together people
with common interests and discuss issues and ideas relating to a specific topic.

Objectives :
A key task for the COP is to review the national communications and emission inventories
submitted by the parties.

Kyoto protocol 1997

The Kyoto protocol was adopted on 11 December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan. But came into force
on 16th February 2005. It is an international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Kyoto
protocol applied to the following 6 greenhouse gases. 84 countries are signatories of the Kyoto
protocol.
The Kyoto protocol implemented the objective of the UNFCCC to reduce the onset of global
warming by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to a level that would
prevent dangerous atmospheric interference with the climate systems.
1. Carbon dioxide
2. Methane
3. Nitrous oxide
4. Hydro fluoro carbons
5. Perfluorocarbons
6. Sulphur hexafluoride
The maximum amount of emissions that a party may emit over a commitment period in
order to comply with its emissions target is known as party's assigned amount.

Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

CDM is an arrangement under the kyoto protocol allowing industrialized countries with a green
house gas reduction commitment to invest in projects that reduce emissions in developing
countries. It aims to develop sustainable development in all countries by reducing CO, and
HFC (Hydro Fluro Carbon) emissions.

11
UNIT I ​ ​ ​ ​ ECOLOGICAL BIODIVERSITY AND ITS AGREEMENT

The CDM allows net green house gas emissions to be reduced at a much lower global cost by
financing emissions reduction projects in developing countries, where costs are lower than in
industrialised countries.

12