Unit-3

Biodiversity
And
Conservation
 Biodiversity

 Biodiversity (biological diversity) refers to the variety of life on Earth at all levels, from genes
to species to ecosystems. It encompasses the immense diversity of plants, animals, fungi, and
microorganisms, as well as the genetic diversity within each species and the diversity of
ecosystems they inhabit.

 It is crucial for the proper functioning of ecosystems and the provision of essential ecosystem
services, such as food production, water purification, climate regulation, and nutrient
cycling.

 It also plays a vital role in the resilience of ecosystems to environmental changes and
disturbances.
 Levels of Biodiversity
 Genetic Diversity: This refers to the variety of genes within a species. Genetic diversity is essential for species to adapt to
changing environments and survive over time.

 Species Diversity: This refers to the variety of different species within a given area or ecosystem. Species diversity includes the
richness (the total number of species) and the relative abundance of each species.

 Ecological Diversity: This refers to the variety of different ecosystems, habitats, and ecological communities within a region or
across the entire planet. Ecological diversity includes the diversity of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components and
their interactions.
 Importance of Biodiversity
 Ecological Stability: Every species has a specific role in an ecosystem. They capture and store energy and also produce and
decompose organic matter. The ecosystem supports the services without which humans cannot survive. A diverse ecosystem is
more productive and can withstand environmental stress.

 Economic Importance: Biodiversity is a reservoir of resources for the manufacture of food, cosmetic products and
pharmaceuticals.

 Crops livestock, fishery, and forests are a rich source of food.

 Wild plants such as Cinchona and Foxglove plant are used for medicinal purposes.

 Wood, fibres, perfumes, lubricants, rubber, resins, poison and cork are all derived from different plant species.

 The national parks and sanctuaries are a source of tourism. They are a source of beauty and joy for many people.

 Ethical Importance: All species have a right to exist. Humans should not cause their voluntary extinction. Biodiversity preserves
different cultures and spiritual heritage. Therefore, it is very important to conserve biodiversity.
 Endemism

 Endemism refers to the ecological state of a species being unique to a defined geographic location,
such as an island, country, or other defined region, and not naturally found elsewhere.

 Endemic species are those that are found in just one region and nowhere else in the world. For example,
kangaroos are originally endemic to Australia and are found nowhere else in the world.

 The cases where they have been spotted outside their natural habitat is due to humans introducing them
when the animal was in captivity.

 Endemism is an important concept in conservation biology, as endemic species are often prioritized for
protection and preservation efforts due to their unique nature and the potential loss of biodiversity they
represent if they were to become extinct.
 Features of Endemism

 Restricted distribution: Endemic species have a very limited geographic range, often confined to a
specific habitat or ecosystem within a particular region.

 Uniqueness: Endemic species are unique to their specific location and do not naturally occur in
other parts of the world.

 Evolutionary adaptation: Endemic species often evolve unique adaptations and traits that allow
them to thrive in the specific environmental conditions of their native region.

 Vulnerability: Endemic species are particularly vulnerable to extinction due to their restricted range
and potential threats, such as habitat loss, invasive species, or environmental changes.
 Endemic Species of India
 Asiatic Lion, Gir Forest: Asiatic Lion is also known as the Indian Lion and can be only found in and around Gir Forest
National Park of Gujarat. These are listed as endangered species. These are one of the five big cats found in India, the
others being Indian Leopards and Bengal Tigers.

 Kashmir Stag, Kashmir Valley: Also known as Hangul, the Kashmir Stag is found in the dense forests of Dachigum
National Park, Kashmir Valley and Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh.

 Lion-Tailed Macaque, Western Ghats: It is the rarest, most threatened and endangered primate species found only in
the Western Ghats of Southern India.

 Purple Frog, Western Ghats: The purple frog, also known as the Pignose frog, is only found in the rainforests of
western ghats in India. It spends most of its life underground.

 Sangai Deer, Loktak Lake: It is also known as Brow Antlered Deer exclusively found in Keibul Lamjao National Park
of Manipur. This park is a marshy wetland located in the southern parts of Loktak lake.

 Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Hills: It is a wild sheep species, endangered and endemic to the Nilgiri Hills of Western Ghats.
Other endemic species of India include:

 Pygmy Hog, Assam

 Bronzeback Vine Snake, Western Ghats

 Nilgiri Blue Robin, Nilgiri Hills

 Malabar Civet, Western Ghats

 Anaimalai Gliding Frog, Anaimalai Hills

 Namdapha Flying Squirrel, Arunachal Pradesh

 Indian Giant Squirrel

 Bonnet Macaque
 Global Biodiversity Hotspots

 Coined by Norman Myers, the term “Biodiversity hotspots” can be defined as the regions which are known for
their high species richness and endemism.

 These are regions of the world that are remarkably rich in biodiversity and are also facing exceptional threats
from human activities. These hotspots are identified based on two main criteria:

 High endemism: The region should have at least 1500 species of vascular plants i.e., it should have a high
degree of endemism.

 Severe habitat loss: They must have lost at least 70% of their original natural vegetation/ habitat due to
human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture.

OR

 It must contain 30% (or less) of its original habitat, i.e. it must be threatened.
 Biodiversity Hotspots In India
 The Himalayas: Considered the highest in the world, the Himalayas (overall) comprise North-East India, Bhutan, Central
and Eastern parts of Nepal. This region (NE Himalayas) holds a record of having 163 endangered species which includes the
Wild Asian Water Buffalo, One-horned Rhino; and as many as 10,000 plant species, of which 3160 are endemic. This
mountain range covers nearly 750,000 km2.

 Indo-Burma Region: The Indo-Burma Region is stretched over a distance of 2,373,000 km². In the last 12 years, 6 large
mammal species have been discovered in this region: the Large-antlered Muntjac, the Annamite Muntjac, the Grey-
shanked Douc, the Annamite Striped Rabbit, the Leaf Deer, and the Saola.

This hotspot is also known for the endemic freshwater turtle species, most of which are threatened with extinction, due to
over-harvesting and extensive habitat loss. There are also 1,300 different bird species, including the threatened White-eared
Night-heron, the Grey-crowned Crocias, and the Orange-necked Partridge.
 The Western Ghats: The Western Ghats are present along the western edge of peninsular India and cover most of
the deciduous forests and rain forests. As per UNESCO, it is home to at least 325 globally threatened flora,
fauna, bird, amphibian, reptile and fish species. Originally, the vegetation in this region was spread over 190,000
km2 but has been now reduced to 43,000 km 2. The region is also known for the globally threatened flora and
fauna represented by 229 plant species, 31 mammal species, 15 bird species, 43 amphibian species, 5 reptile
species and 1 fish species. UNESCO mentions that “Of the total 325 globally threatened species in the Western
Ghats, 129 are classified as Vulnerable, 145 as Endangered and 51 as Critically Endangered.”

 Sundaland: The Sundaland hotspot lies in Southeast Asia and covers Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, and
Malaysia. In the year 2013, the Sundaland was declared as a World Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations.
This region is famous for its rich terrestrial and marine ecosystem. Sundaland is one of the biologically richest
hotspots in the world which comprises 25,000 species of vascular plants, representing approximately 10% of the
world’s flowering plants. It is also famous for hosting several species of the genus Rafflesia (worls’s largest
flower).
 Indian Biodiversity with special reference to
North East India

 Mega biodiversity nation: India is recognized as one of the 17 mega-diverse countries in the world, hosting
around 8% of the global biodiversity on just 2.4% of the world's land area.

 Richness of flora and fauna: India is home to over 47,000 plant species and around 91,000 animal species,
including many endemic and threatened species.

 Biodiversity hotspots: Currently, there exists 36 global biodiversity hotspots in the world, with the
northeastern states forming a significant part of the Indo-Burma hotspot and the Himalayas.
 Endemic species in northeast India: The northeastern region of India is known for its high level of
endemism, with numerous plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world, including the
Hoolock gibbon, Namdapha flying squirrel, and several species of rhododendrons.

 Diverse ecosystems: Northeast India harbors a wide range of ecosystems, including tropical and
subtropical forests, grasslands, wetlands, and alpine regions, contributing to the region's rich biodiversity.

 Threats and conservation efforts: Biodiversity in northeast India faces threats from habitat loss, illegal
hunting, and climate change. Several protected areas, such as Kaziranga National Park and Manas
National Park, have been established to conserve the region's unique biodiversity.

Hoolock gibbon Namdapha flying squirrel Rhododendrons

 Habitat loss:
 Deforestation and land-use changes for agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure
development have led to the fragmentation and destruction of natural habitats.

 Loss of forests, grasslands, wetlands, and other ecosystems have disrupted the ecological
balance, leading to the decline of many plant and animal species.

 Degradation of habitats due to pollution, overexploitation of resources, and invasive

 The demand for wildlife products in illegal markets, both domestically and internationally,
fuels the poaching crisis.

 Poor enforcement of wildlife protection laws and inadequate anti-poaching measures have
exacerbated the problem.
 Human-wildlife conflict:

 As human populations and activities encroach upon natural habitats, conflicts between humans and wildlife
have increased.

 Crop damage by herbivores, livestock depredation by carnivores, and human casualties due to encounters
with elephants, tigers, or other large animals have led to retaliatory killings and a negative perception of
wildlife conservation efforts.

 Lack of proper mitigation measures, such as corridor connectivity, compensation schemes, and awareness
programs, have intensified human-wildlife conflicts.
 In the Indian context, these threats have severely impacted biodiversity, leading to the decline and
potential extinction of many species.

 Iconic species like the Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, and the Great Indian Bustard have faced
significant challenges due to these threats.

 Addressing habitat loss through sustainable land-use practices, strengthening anti-poaching efforts,
and implementing effective human-wildlife conflict mitigation measures are crucial for conserving
India's rich biodiversity.

 Community involvement, policy reforms, and international cooperation are essential for mitigating
these threats and preserving the country's natural heritage.
 In-situ Conservation
 In-situ conservation refers to the protection and conservation of species within their natural habitats and ecosystems. It
involves the preservation and management of entire ecosystems, ensuring that species can continue to thrive in their native
environments. In-situ conservation strategies include:

a)Protected areas: Establishing and maintaining national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, and other
protected areas where human activities are restricted or regulated.

b) Conservation of specific habitats: Protecting and restoring critical habitats such as wetlands, coral reefs, grasslands,
and forests to ensure the survival of species that depend on these ecosystems.

c) Habitat connectivity: Maintaining or creating wildlife corridors and migration routes to facilitate the movement of
species between different habitats and promote genetic exchange.

d) Community-based conservation: Involving local communities in the management and protection of natural resources,
fostering a sense of ownership and sustainable use of biodiversity.
 Ex-situ Conservation
 Ex-situ conservation involves the protection and maintenance of species outside their natural habitats. It is typically
employed when in-situ conservation efforts are insufficient or when species face imminent extinction in the wild. Ex-
situ conservation strategies include:

a) Captive breeding programs: Breeding and maintaining populations of endangered species in zoos, aquariums,
botanical gardens, and other facilities to prevent extinction and potentially reintroduce them into the wild.

b) Tissue Culture and Micropropagation: These techniques are used primarily for plants. They involve growing
plant tissues or cells in a sterile environment to produce new plants. This can be particularly useful for plants that are
difficult to propagate by traditional means.

c) Vitrification : Freezing and storing genetic materials (also known as Cryopreservation) such as cells, tissues, etc. at
extremely low temperatures to preserve genetic resources for extended periods.

d) Botanical gardens and arboretums: Maintaining living collections of plants, including rare and endangered
species, for conservation, research, and educational purposes.
 Both in-situ and ex-situ conservation approaches play vital roles in biodiversity conservation efforts.

 In-situ conservation aims to protect species in their natural habitats

 Ex-situ conservation serves as a complementary measure, particularly for critically endangered

 An integrated approach, combining in-situ and ex-situ strategies, is often considered the most
effective way to conserve biodiversity and prevent the loss of species.