Conservation of Wild Species:

The conservation of wild relatives of crop plants, animals or cultures of microorganisms provides
breeders and genetic engineers with a ready source of genetic material.

India has 47,000 species of flowering and non-flowering plants representing about 12 per cent of
the recorded world’s flora. Out of 47,000 species of plants, 5150 are endemic and 2532 species
are found in the Himalayas and adjoining regions, and 1782 in peninsular India.

India is also rich in the number of endemic faunal species it possesses, while its record in agro-
biodiversity is very impressive as well.

There are 166 crop species and 320 wild relatives along with numerous wild relatives of
domesticated animals. Overall India ranks seventh in terms of contribution to world agriculture.

Keystone species

 A keystone species is a species that plays an essential role in the structure, functioning or
productivity of a habitat or ecosystem at a defined level (habitat, soil, seed dispersal, etc).

 Disappearance of such species may lead to significant ecosystem change or dysfunction

which may have knock on effects on a broader scale. Examples include the elephant's
role in maintaining habitat structure, and bats and insects in pollination.

 By focussing on keystone species, conservation actions for that species may help to
preserve the structure and function of a wide range of habitats which are linked with that
species during its life cycle.

Examples include crayfish as indicators of freshwater quality; corals as indicators of marine

processes such as siltation, seawater rise and sea temperature fluctuation; peregrine falcons as an
indicator of pesticide loads; or native plants as indicators for the presence and impact of alien
species.
Flagship species

 A flagship species is a species selected to act as an ambassador, icon or symbol for a

defined habitat, issue, campaign or environmental cause.

 By focusing on, and achieving conservation of that species, the status of many other
species which share its habitat – or are vulnerable to the same threats - may also be
improved.

 Flagship species are usually relatively large, and considered to be 'charismatic' in western
cultures.

 Flagship species may or may not be keystone species and may or may not be
good indicators of biological process.

Examples of some flagship species include the Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris), Asian Elephant
(Elephas maximus), African Elephant (Loxodonta sp) and the Giant Panda (Ailuropoda
melanoleuca) which is used by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Threats to biodiversity

Biodiversity is under serious threat as a result of human activities. The main dangers worldwide
are population growth and resource consumption, climate change and global warming, habitat
conversion and urbanisation, invasive alien species, over-exploitation of natural resources and
environmental degradation.

Main threats  Some underlying causes

Threats in terrestrial areas

Degradation, destruction Spread of the urbanised areas, road network and industrial
and fragmentation of areas  and associated problems (noise, pollution); abandon of
natural habitats former agricultural practices that were favourable to
 biodiversity
Intensification of agricultural practices (yielding pollution and
Decrease in the capacity
disturbance) and disappearance of landscape elements that
of the agricultural areas to
provide food and shelter that are exploitable by wildlife (such
host wildlife
as hedges, trees, ponds, etc.)

Excess of heavy metals (industry, roads), manure and

Pollution of soils, air and
pesticides (agriculture) and other pollutants 
water
International trade and transport (roads, railways, rivers),
Invasions by alien species gardening practices, exotic trees in forestry, exotic pests
released in the wild, climate change, etc.

Arrivals of pathogens that are favoured by the introduction of

Epidemics affecting
exotic species, pollution and the destruction of habitats
wildlife
Carbon emissions, deforestation and other land use changes
Climate change
due to human activities

Dessication of soils and Excess pumping of underground water tables

wetlands
Overuse of green open spaces and wild areas, little respect for
Recreation and leisure nature, mountain biking and motor sports in fragile areas,
dogs not on leash

Threats in marine areas

Industrial fishing, overexploitation of target species, by-catch

Overfishing and decline
species
of species
Pollution and Land-based activities (river run-off), atmospheric deposition,
eutrophication maritime traffic
Beam trawling, dredging, sand and gravel extraction
Degradation and
destruction of the sea
floor

Maritime trade (ballast waters, fouling), leisure navigation,

Alien species
mariculture, climate change
introductions
Coastal development, water quality in summer (high
Leisure and tourism  population), mechanical beach cleaning, noise and other
perturbations due to the high population