Unit 4- Biodiversity

Biodiversity
• Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability
among all groups of living organisms and the
ecosystem complexes.
 Levels of Biodiversity
• Genetic Level diversity
Genes are the basic units of hereditary
information transmitted from one generation
to other.
When the genes within the same species show
different versions due to new combinations, it
is called genetic variability.
• Species Diversity
This is the variability found within the population of a
species or between different species of a community.
It represents broadly the species richness and their
abundance in a community.
• Community A- 1,2,3,,4
• Community B- 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
 Community/Ecosystem diversity

• Alpha diversity:
variability within a
habitat or community

• Beta Diversity:
variability in life forms
between the
community

• Gamma Diversity:
variability in life forms
over a larger landscape
 Biodiversity terminologies
• Endangered Species: Species that are at a high risk of
getting extinct
• Endemic species: Species that are found in a particular
region and no where else around the world.
• Keystone species: they are not the abundant species but
are valuable in the ecosystem to maintain the
population of other species.
• Umbrella species: Saving umbrella species indirectly
save the entire ecosystem and plants and animals in it.
 India as a Mega Diversity Nation
• It fall in a tropical region
• It has variety of climatic condition, topography and geology.
• 91,000 species of animals and 45,500 species of plants in its 10 biogeographic
regions.
• The Indian landmass extending over a total geographical area of about 3029
million hectares is bounded by Himalayas in the north,
• the Bay of Bengal in east,
• the Arabian Sea in the west, and
• Indian Ocean in the south.
• Two areas in India have been identified as megadiversity hot spot areas, which
are western ghat forests and eastern Himalayan forests, but India as a whole
country as megadiversity nation.
• India h
• Also has high endemism
 Biogeographical Regions of India
• Biogeography is the study of distribution of
biological species and ecosystems in
geographical space and geological time.
• Organisms and the biological communities
often vary in a regular manner along
geographic gradients of latitude, and altitude
creating gradients of climatic conditions
(temperature and rainfall).
• India has 10 Biogeographical regions
S.N Biogeographical Area Flora/Plants Fauna/Animals
o Region
1 Trans-Himalayan High altitude cold desert Very cold, sparse Wild sheep,
in Ladakh to Lahaul spiti alpine steppe, bare goat, snow
(H.P) rock & glaciers leapord, black-
5.7% of contry’s landmass necked crane
2 Himalayans Kashmir in N.W. Assam in Changes with Snow leapord,
N.E. 7.2% of contry’s altitude, tropical Himalayan
landmass rain forest in salamander, Red
eastern Panda, Sambar
himalayans,
Sub-tropical &
alpine nforest in
central and
western
himalayans,
orchids and
rhododendrons
• India has 10 Biogeographical regions
S.N Biogeographic Area Flora Fauna
o al Region
3 Desert Extremely dry west of Tropical thorn Reptiles, black
Aravalli ranges, consist of forest, tropical dry buck, chinkara,
salty deserts of Gujarat and decideous forest nilgai, great
Sandy Desert of Rajasthan. Indian bustard
6.9%
4 Semi-arid Includes Aravalli hills, areas Acacia, prosopis, Gir-Lion
of Thar extending to Gulf of Tamarix
Kutch, cambay and
kathiawar peninsula . 15.6%
5 Western Ghats Western cost of India. 4000 0f countries Nilgiri Langur,
Southern tip of Gujarat to plant sp of which Lion tailed
Kanyakumari 5.8% 1800 sp endemic macaque,
to western ghats. amphibians-frog
Shola forest of
Nilgiri
6 Deccan Large triangular plateau. Tropoical Tiger, sloth bear,
plateau South of Narmada, valley, decideous and barasingha,
Three mountain slopes, Dry decideous elephants
Satpura mountains in north, forest, moist
Western ghats in west and decideous forest in
Eastern ghats in east. 40.3% orissa
• India has 10 Biogeographical regions
S. Biogeographi Area Flora Fauna
N cal Region
o
7 Gangetic Ganga river and Sunderbans. E. Rajasthan to Elephant, Black
plain 11% U.P., Bihar, & West buck, crocodile,
Bengal tropical dry Gharial ,
deciduous forest, Gangetic
Mangrove forest in Dolphin
Sunderban
8 North- Plains and Non-Himalayan Evergreen and Famous for
Eastern India region of N.E India. 5.2% semi-evergreen mammalian
forest diversity,
Elephant,
rhionoceros
9 Islands Group of 325 Islands, Andaman 2200 plant sp, out 112 endemic sp.
in North & Nicobar in South of which 200 are Of avifauna
0.03% endemic. Semi (Birds), turtle,
evergreen and Narcondam
evergreen forest, hornbill
coral reefs.
10 Coast India has vast coastline of Mangroves Turtles, Crabs,
7516.6 Km. West Coast, East sponges, Olive
Coast, and Lakshadweep. The ridley turtle in
west coast extends from the orissa
Gulf of Cambay (Gulf of
Khambhat) in the north to
Cape Comorin (Kanniyakumari)
in the south. The east coast
extends from the Ganges river
delta in the north to
Kannyakumari in the south.
2.5%
 Value of Biodiversity

• Consumptive Value:
 Food
 Medicinal value: eg: Quinine that cure Malaria is obtained from bark of
Chinchona tree; Vinblastin and vincristine drugs obtained from periwinkle plant
have anti-cancer properties.
 Fuel

• Productive Value: Fibre, timber, Gum, resins etc, species illegal smuggling
for fur, skin, horns etc

• Social Value: they are part of our custom, tradition, culture.

• Ethical Value: biodiversity and variety is valuable to keep balance of earth

and every organism play some role to maintain that balance, so ethically it is
right of every living organism to live on this earth
 Value of Biodiversity

• Aesthetic Value: the beauty of nature is valuable like mountains, ocean,

river etc they provide places for rejuvenation. People spend money on eco-
tourism to visit such places.

• Agricultural value: the New varities of crops or even domesticated animals

traits are improved by cross breeding them with wild variety

• Ecological Value: The variety of life form is important to maintain balance

and functioning of ecosystem.

• Optional value: evey living oraganism is valuable for us. Currently may be it
is of no use but it can be of some use in future.
 Threats to Biodiversity
• Habitat loss and fragmentation
• Pollution
• Illegal hunting/Poaching
• Introduction of Exotic species: foreign or alien species are
introduced in an ecosystem because of their economic or
other uses. Eg.
• Intensive agriculture: Converting wetlands, grasslands, forest
for agriculture. Growing few varieties which will result in
reduction in genetic diversity. Which will make them
vulnerable to pest attack and diseases.
• Man and Wild life conflict: man and wild life are constantly
fighting for resources and space and as a result man are
interfering and decreasing the habitat of wild animals for food,
fodder, construction etc as a result wil animals are now
entering into human settle ment areas to fulfill their needs.
Like elphant destroying croplands, leapord entering the
villages and attacking humans and domesticated animals.
• Lantana Camara

• Water Hyacinth
Exotic: Prosopis Juliflora (South America, Mexico)
Native: prosopis cineraria (India)
Causes of Man and wild life conflict
• Dwindling habitat
• Starved and ill animals turn violent
• Increased agriculture in the periphery of forest
area.
• Injury to animals from electric fencing around
agricultural field
• Destruction of wild life corridor
• Compensation paid to farmers is very less
 Measures to solve the conflict
• Preservation areas
• Adequate crop compensation
• Cropping pattern should change around forest
area. Enough water and food should be
available for wild animals in their natural
habitat.
• Wild life corridors should be protected
• Ban hunting of wild animals.
Conservation of Biodiversity
 In-Situ Conservation
• It includes methods to conserve species in place of their natural habitat
through legal means. In-situ conservation can be divided into following three
types:
• (i) National Park (101) – National Parks are protected areas in which
complete legal protection is provided to ecosystem. Therefore, biotic
components as well as abiotic components are protected in these areas
through legal means.
• National Parks are created on the basis of core-buffer strategy.
• Core area is central region of national park which is completely prohibited
from human activities.
• Buffer zone is peripheral area of National Park which allows limited tourism.
• Example – Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand)
• Rajaji National Park (Uttarakhand)
• (ii) Wildlife Sanctuary (553)– Wildlife sanctuary is protected area
which is created by government in order to conserve a particular
species which may be of local, national or international
significance.
• Wildlife sanctuaries are also created on the basis on core-buffer
strategy.
• Core area is central region of wildlife sanctuary which is completely
prohibited from human activities.
• Buffer region is peripheral region in which activities like tourism,
fuelwood collection, and honey collection are allowed.
• Example – Chilka Bird Sanctuary (Odisha)
Gir Wild life sanctuary (Gujarat)
• (iii) Biosphere Reserves (18)– These protected areas are based on
the concept of including humans in conservation efforts. This
concept was formulated during Man And Biosphere programme of
UNESCO, 1975
• Biosphere reserves are protected areas conserve biodiversity and
provide livelihood to local communities.
• Multiple activities like forestry, agriculture, tourism etc. are
permitted in peripheral region of Biosphere Reserve.
• Example- Nandadevi Biosphere Reserve (Uttarakhand)
• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (South India)
 Ex-situ Conservation

• In this method, plant or animal species are protected in a place which is outside their
natural habitat. Ex-situ conservation is done by following methods:

(i) Zoo – These are places in which species are kept in artificial enclosures or captivity .
Zoo serves
purpose of educating citizens about wildlife. Various animal breeding programs are also
carried out in zoo to increase population of species.

(ii) Gene Bank- Genetic material of any species provides valuable details of its
existence. Gene banks are those institutes in which genes of different species are
preserved for future use. NBPGR (National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources) is an
institute which store and preserve genes of plant species.

iii) Seed bank – Some Institutes are involved in preserving seeds of valuable plant
species. These seeds may be used in future, if any plant species becomes extinct. IARI
(Indian Agricultural Research Institute) is seed bank located in Delhi.
iv) Tissue Culture- Tissue culture, a method of biological research in
which fragments of tissue from an animal or plant are transferred
to an artificial environment in which they can continue to survive
and function. The cultured tissue may consist of a single cell, a
population of cells, or a whole or part of an organ. The method is
useful in maintaining large number of genotype in small area and
rapid multiplication of endangered species

v) Cryopreservation- preservation of tissue culture, embryo,

spermatozoa etc in liquid nitrogen at temperature of -196°C
 Hot Spots

• Term ‘Hotspot of Biodiversity’ was given by

British biologist Norman Myers in 1988. Meyer
defined hotspot as “a biogeographic region
characterized by exceptional levels of
endemism and by serious level of habitat
loss”.
• Condition to be a hotspot
Area must support at least 1,500 endemic
vascular plants (> 0.5% of the world’s total)
70%of its original habitat is degraded
• 36 hotspots have been identified in the world.
• Though these 36 hotspots together represent only 2.4% of the
Earth’s land surface but they are crucial in supporting more than
half of the world’s plant species as endemics.

• 4 hotspots are found in India. These four hotspots are:

1. Himalaya: Includes the entire Indian Himalayan region (and that

falling in Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Myanmar)
2. Indo-Burma: Includes entire North-eastern India, except Assam
and Andaman group of Islands (and Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam,
Laos, Cambodia and southern China)
3. Sundalands: Includes Nicobar group of Islands (and Indonesia,
Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines)
4. Western Ghats and Sri Lanka: Includes entire Western Ghats
(and Sri Lanka)
 IUCN- Red Data Book
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) is an
international organization which is responsible for assessment of species all across the world.
• IUCN conducts field survey to monitor species in every country. Based on the survey, IUCN
classify plants and animals in different categories. This information about current status of
• species is published by IUCN in ‘Red Data List’ publication.

• Importance:
• Red Data List provides information on status, trend and threats of species in order to plan
conservation strategies for those species.
• The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the global extinction risk status of world’s biodiversity.
• The trend of species population given in Red List serves as an important tool to take prompt
actions towards biodiversity conservation and policy change. Such actions further play an
important role to protect the natural resources that we need for our survival.
• Information about range, population size, habitat and ecology, use and/or trade, threats, and
conservation provide base for implementing necessary conservation decisions.
• IUCN continuously maintain record of population of different species
 IUCN Classification
1) Extinct - Extinct species are those species for which no individual is found in geographical
locations where that species was found earlier.
2) Extinct in Wild - Extinct in wild include those species which are known only to survive in
cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population (or populations) well outside the past
range.
3) Critically endangered – This category include species for which population is declining at rapid
rate and therefore these species are facing extremely high risk of extinction.
4) Endangered – Endangered species are those species which are facing risk of extinction due to
habitat loss, poaching and other factors. Such species may become extinct in future, if the
threat continues to affect them.
5) Vulnerable – Vulnerable species are those species whose population have been observed to be
declining due to on-going threats like habitat loss, deforestation or other factors. Such species
may become endangered in near future, if threat continues to adversely their survival rate.
6) Near Threatened – These species do not qualify for critically endangered, endangered or
vulnerable categories at present. However, they may soon qualify in threatened category in
future.
7) Least Concern – Those species for which number of individuals are abundant are known as
least concern
8) Data deficient
9) Not Evaluated
Re-introduction and translocation of species
• reintroduction is returning any species back in their known habitat. According to
IUCN, "Re-introduction" is an attempt to establish a species in an area which
was once part of its historical range, but from which it has become extinct.
• Re-introduction is carried out to meet following objectives:
(i) to enhance the long-term survival of a species
(ii) to re-establish a keystone species in an ecosystem
(iii) to maintain and/or restore natural biodiversity
(iv) to provide long-term economic benefits to the local and/or national economy
(v) to promote conservation awareness

• For example, Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan) faced sharp decline in tiger
population during 2004-2008 due to poaching activities. In order to revive tiger
population in Sariska Tiger Reserve, eight tigers from Ranthambore were re-
introduced in Sariska Tiger Reserve.
• "Translocation" is deliberate and mediated movement of wild
individuals or populations from one part of their range to
another.

• IMPORTANCE
1. Translocation is an important step to maintain population
balance in ecosystem,
2. to reduce human-animal conflicts
3. for recreational or commercial purpose.
4. To improve survival chances of species and to improve
biodiversity of region.

• For example, few Rhinoceros were translocated from Kaziranga

National Park to Manas National Park to increase population of
Rhinoceros in Manas National Park.
 Project Tiger
• Project tiger scheme was launched in 1973 during tenure of Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi.
• It is an on-going scheme under Ministry of Environment, forest and Climate
Change. This scheme is focused on increasing number of tiger population in India.

• Objective: increasing habitat of tiger as a method of in-situ conservation. As a

result of this scheme, number of tiger reserves has increased in India. At present,
50 tiger reserves have been established in India. For example, Kanha Tiger
Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) is one of the tiger reserves in India.
• Project tiger scheme has been successful in increasing number of tigers in India.
India has 2967 tigers according to 2019 estimate.
• Tiger is still considered as endangered animal.
• To improve status of this species, strong legal measures are required to curb
poaching activities.
 Project Elephant

• Project Elephant is an on-going scheme under Ministry of Environment,

Forest and Climate Change (Government of India) focused on increasing
elephant population in India.
• This scheme was launched in 1992.
• Objective: Project Elephant aim to increase population of elephants by
creation of Elephant reserves as in-situ conservation strategy. It also
aims to reduce human-elephant conflict and address welfare of captive
elephants.
• Project Elephant has been successful in establishing 32 elephant
reserves in India. Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE)
programme has also been implemented under this scheme.
• Despite this scheme, poaching still remains biggest threat to the
population of Elephants in India.
 Project Crocodile
• In India, following crocodile species have
• been observed, but all species are on verge of extinction:
• 1) Gharial – This is freshwater crocodile which is now critically
endangered. Pollution of river is the reason behind decline in
number of this species.
 • 2) Mugger – This is also freshwater
crocodile which is vulnerable in
India. Construction of dams on
rivers has resulted in sharp decline
of this species.

• 3) Salt water crocodile – This crocodile

used to be very common in coastal areas
of Kerala and Tamil Nadu but now it is
extinct in these states. Destruction of
mangrove vegetation for development of
coastal region result in decline of this
species. Few members of this species are
found in West Bengal and Odisha.
• Project crocodile scheme was launched in 1975 to increase
population of crocodile species.
• This scheme was launched by Government of India with
support from United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) and FAO.
• crocodile sanctuary like National Chambal Wildlife
Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh) have been established as in-
situ conservation strategy for protection of crocodile in
natural habitat.
• Sixteen crocodile rehabilitation centres have been
established in India for breeding and rearing programmes.
Project Vulture

critically endangered
• Vultures are natural scavengers of ecosystem which feed on
dead organisms
• Indian vulture is critically endangered species because
population of these species has sharply declined with
biomagnification.
• Diclofenac chemical (painkiller) was injected in cattle to
make them work in farm areas for long time duration.
• After death of cattle, this chemical increased in
concentration in Indian vultures.
• This chemical resulted in immediate death of members of
Indian vulture.
Project Vulture was launched by Government of India in 2006 to
increase population of Indian vultures. Following methods are
used under this programme:

1) Diclofenac has been completely banned for veterinary use in

Indian since 2006.
2) In-situ conservation strategy – Vulture Safe Zone (VSZ) have
been declared in India. These VSZ are habitat of Indian vulture
in which use of any chemical is strictly prohibited by the Indian
Government.
3) Ex-situ conservation strategy –Four Vulture Conservation
Breeding Centres have been established in India for breeding
of this species. These centres are established at Guwahati
(Assam), Pinjore (Haryana), Buxa (West Bengal) and Bhopal
(Madhya Pradesh).
 Project Great Indian Bustard
• The great Indian bustard inhabits dry grasslands and
scrublands on the Indian subcontinent; its largest populations
are found in the Indian state of Rajasthan.

critically endangered
• Great Indian Bustard is one of the heaviest flying
birds with an average weight of 15 to 18 kg.
• According to the estimate of 1969, the population
of the bird was 1260 now it is below 200.
• At that time, this bird was observed in geographical
location of 11 states in India. Haryana, Punjab,
Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya
Pradesh were known as habitat of Great Indian
Bustard.
• Habitat loss and degradation appear to be the
primary causes of decline.
• This scheme was launched in 2013 to establish
conservation breeding centers for great Indian
bustard across the country.
• This scheme is also focused on strategies to
reduce pressure on habitat of this bird.
 Save Western Ghats Movement
• Western Ghats cover parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka,
Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This area is well known for rich flora and fauna.
• Save the Western Ghats Movement of 1986 highlighted urgent need to
reduce development process in Western Ghats which threatened
ecosystem of this place.
• Further this movement was effective in generating awareness about
environment protection and tribal rights in forest.
• During 1987-1988, many local and regional people’s movement organized
themselves to march the length of Western Ghats.
• This was initiated to protest against development activities like dam
construction or power station in the areas of Western Ghats.
• Further, Western Ghats Development Programme was initiated by
Government of India in 1981 for eco-restoration and conservation of
biodiversity in this place.
 Conventions and treaties
• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is
the international legal instrument for "the
conservation of biological diversity, adopted at
Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, 1992.
• CITES: Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species
• WWF- WORLD WILDLIFE FUND

• The wild life (protection) act, 1972

• Flagship species – Flagship species are those species which are
ecologically, culturally, emotionally significant in the society.
Government highlight these species of any region in order to
improve conservation efforts. For example, tiger is national
animal of India. Awareness about presence of tiger in any forest
will further enhance effectiveness of conservation efforts.
• Indicator species – Indicator species are those species which
are sensitive to variations in climatic conditions. These species
respond quickly to any change in temperature or environment,
therefore they act as indicator for overall health of ecosystem.
For example, lichen and frogs are indicator species
Extinct

Dodo
 Cheetah
Extinct in India
Extinct in wild

scimitar oryx
Hawaiian crow
ENDANGERED
Bengal tiger
One horn rhinoceros
Black buck
Vulnerable

Nilgiri Langur
Barasingha
Mangroves
Coral reefs