Lecture 5 & 6

Lecture 5 & 6

By Chirag Bhargava

Biodiversity
1. Introduction
Term coined by: Edward Wilson (1986)
Biological = related to life and living organisms.
Diversity = variety or noticeable heterogeneity.

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to
ecosystems.

2. Scientific Definitions
Bruce A. Wilcox (1984):

“Variety of life forms, the ecological roles they perform, and the genetic diversity they
contain.”

Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro (1992):

“The variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine,
and aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this
includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.”

IUCN (1998):

“The variety and variability of species populations, their life forms, their interactions,
and the ecological processes they perform.”

Frans Lanting:

“Biodiversity starts in the distant past and it points towards the future.”

3. Measuring Biodiversity
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Species Identified: ~1.7–1.8 million (only 15% of estimated total)

Estimated Total: 5 to 50 million (avg. ~14 million)
Insects: ~60% of identified species
Mammals: Only ~4,650 species
Ongoing Discoveries: Due to projects like:
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
Species 2000

4. Levels of Biodiversity
A. Genetic Diversity
Definition: Variation of genes within a species (alleles, genes, chromosomal structures).
Examples:
Mycoplasma: 450–700 genes
Rice (Oryza sativa): ~32,000–50,000
Humans: ~35,000–45,000
Importance:
Aids in adaptation to environmental changes.
Prevents inbreeding depression and species extinction.
Encourages resilience in crops (genetically diverse crops resist diseases better).
Basis for speciation: evolution of new species.

B. Species Diversity
Definition: Variety of species in a particular region.
Components:
Species Richness: Number of species per unit area.
Species Evenness: Relative abundance of species.
More species + balanced populations = greater ecosystem stability.

C. Community / Ecosystem Diversity

Definition: Diversity at community/ecosystem level, including interactions and ecological
roles.
Types:
Alpha Diversity: Within a single community/habitat.
Beta Diversity: Replacement of species along environmental gradients (e.g.,
altitude, moisture).
Gamma Diversity: Diversity across a large geographical region or landscape.

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5. Biogeographic Classification of India

Zone Description
1 Trans-Himalayan region (Ladakh)
2 Himalayan ranges (North & NE India)
3 Gangetic and Brahmaputra plains
4 Thar Desert
5 Semi-arid grasslands (Deccan)
6 Northeast India
7 Western Ghats (Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra)
8 Andaman & Nicobar Islands
9 Western & Eastern Coastal belts

Most biodiverse: Northeast and Western Ghats (4–5.2% of world species)

6. Global and National Biodiversity

Global Stats
50–80% of biodiversity exists in tropical rainforests.
Deserts show the least.
Marine biodiversity is highly rich.
Only ~1.5 million species known, likely ~15% of total.

India
One of the 12 mega-diversity countries.
Only 2.4% of land area but holds 7–8% of world’s species.
Rankings:
10th in plant richness.
11th in endemic vertebrates.
6th in diversity centers.

Endemism
species which are restricted only to a particular area.

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Western Ghats: Highest endemic diversity (e.g., Nilgiri Tahr)

Center of Origin:
- 5,000+ flowering plants originated in India
- 166 cropping plants
- 320 wild relatives of cultivated crops
Some of the endemic species found in India are:
• Lion-tailed macaque
• Nilgiri Langur
• Brown palm civet
• Nilgiri tahr: Nilgiri Hills
• Loin tailed Macaqua

7. Biodiversity Hotspots
Definition: Richest, rarest and most threatened ecosystems , These areas are referred
to as the Global 200.
India’s Hotspots:
Western Ghats
Indo-Burma
Himalayas
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Himalayas:
163 globally threatened species (e.g., Rhino, Wild Water Buffalo)
Relict Dragonfly
Western Ghats:
Extremely high plant and animal endemism
Indo-Burma:
Highly threatened due to habitat loss

8. Value/Scope of Biodiversity
Here are the concise and organized notes on the topic “Values/Scopes of Biodiversity”
in clean Markdown format:

Values / Scopes of Biodiversity

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1. Ecological Services (Indirect Use Values)

Ecosystem Services:
Oxygen production, CO₂ reduction
Maintaining water cycle, protecting soil
Nutrient cycling and fixation
Soil formation
Cleansing and circulation of air and water

2. Consumptive Use Values

Direct use of biological resources by local communities (not through markets)

Food:
~80,000 edible plant species
90% of modern crops domesticated from wild species
Wild animals also serve as a source of meat and protein
Drugs and Medicines:
75% of global population depends on plants/extracts
Examples:
Penicillin (Penicillium fungus) – antibiotic
Quinine (Cinchona tree) – anti-malarial
Fuel
Fuelwood for cooking and heating

3. Productive Use Values

Marketable goods derived from biodiversity

For Industry & Commerce:

Musk – from Musk Deer
Silk – from Silkworms
Wool – from Sheep
Lac – from insects
Ivory, pearls, leather
Concerns:
Illegal trade in endangered species (e.g., furs, tusks, horns, snake & cat skins)
Genetic diversity used to breed new crop varieties and domestic animal strains

4. Social and Cultural Values

Linked to customs, religion, traditions, and psycho-spiritual beliefs

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Sacred Plants: Tulsi, Mango, Peepal

Sacred Animals: Cow, Bull, Snake, Owl
Folk Culture: Songs, dances, and rituals connected with local flora/fauna

5. Option Values
Future, unknown uses of biodiversity

Potential for discovery of new resources (e.g., marine organisms for anti-cancer
drugs)
Preserving biodiversity safeguards these untapped potentials

6. Non-consumptive Use Values

Scientific Research & Education
Tourism & Recreation: Wildlife sanctuaries, eco-tourism
Regulation & Balance:
Climate (macro & micro levels)
Water cycles (groundwater recharge, watershed protection)
Nutrient storage & cycling (C, N, O cycles)
Soil fertility
Air & water purification
These services maintain ecosystem productivity and human well-being

Threats to Biodiversity
A. Anthropogenic (Human-Induced) Causes
Loss of Habitat
Due to deforestation, urbanization, agricultural expansion, industrial development,
road construction, etc.
Results in fragmented, small populations → inbreeding, genetic drift, low
adaptability → risk of extinction.
Poaching
Illegal hunting of animals for body parts (skin, tusks, horns, etc.)
Commonly trafficked in black markets (e.g., tiger skins, elephant tusks).

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Man-Animal Conflict
Occurs when wild animals intrude human settlements and pose a threat.
Results from encroachment of habitats or food scarcity in forests.
Introduction of Exotic Species
Exotic/Alien species: Non-native species introduced to a region.
Examples:
Nile Perch in Lake Victoria → destroyed native fish species.
Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia) → clogs water bodies, affects aquatic
ecosystems.
Lantana camara → invasive plant species affecting native flora.
Overexploitation
Unsustainable use of biodiversity resources: overfishing, logging, fuelwood
collection, etc.
Pollution
Industrial waste, pesticides, oil spills, plastics affect both terrestrial and aquatic
ecosystems.
Global Warming & Climate Change
Alters habitat conditions.
Increases frequency of extreme weather events → loss of species adapted to
specific niches.

B. Natural Causes
Narrow geographical range (species endemic to small areas).
Small population size (low genetic diversity).
Low reproductive rate (e.g., Pandas, Rhinos).
Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions).

Extinction of Species

A natural and ongoing evolutionary process, but accelerated by human activity.

IUCN Red List

Initiated in 1963, a catalogue of taxa (plant/animal groups) facing risk of extinction.
Categories: Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Lower Risk, etc.
Endemic: Species that are found only in a specific region and nowhere else in
the world.
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Uses:
1. Raising awareness about threatened species.
2. Documentation of endangered taxa.
3. Global index of biodiversity decline.
4. Helps define conservation priorities and actions.

Interesting Facts:
Tropical forests losing 14,000–40,000 species/year (~2–5/hour).
If trends continue, 50% of Earth’s species may go extinct by 2100.
From 10 high-diversity tropical forest localities (~300,000 km²):
~17,000 endemic plant species.
~350,000 endemic animal species at risk.

Conservation of Biodiversity
Biosphere Reserves (UNESCO, 1975)
Biosphere reserves are a special category of protected areas of land and/or coastal
environments, wherein people are an integral component of the system. These are
representative examples of natural biomes and contain unique biological
communities.
The concept of Biosphere Reserves was launched in 1975 as a part of
UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme, dealing with the conservation of
ecosystems and the genetic resources contained therein.

Zonation:

Core Zone – Strictly protected, no human activity.

Buffer Zone – Research, education, limited tourism.

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Transition Zone – Sustainable human activities (e.g., agriculture, forestry).

Functions of a biosphere reserve

1. Conservation – Of ecosystems, genetic diversity, landscapes.
2. Development – Ecologically and culturally sustainable economic development.
3. Scientific Research – Monitoring and education.

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