Emvironment and Ecology

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Subhra Ranjan Video Lectures
ENVIRONMENT AND
ECOLOGY
Rushikesh Dudhat
Ankit Mohan
11-28-2019
Environment and Ecology 1
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INDEX
0 Study Plan 3
1 Ecosystem and Ecology 4
1.1 Population 5
1.2 Species 5
1.3 Population Pyramid 8
2 Community 9
3 Biosphere 9
3.1 Biotic Interaction 8
4 Functions of Ecosystem 12
4.1 Ecosystem 11
4.2 Food Chain 20
4.3 Pyramid of Biomass 21
4.4 Ecological Succession 24
5 Gaseous Cycle 26
5.1 Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulphur Cycle 27
6 Ecotone 30
7 Ecological Niche 31
8 Biome 32
9 Wet Lands 41
9.1 Importance of wetlands 46
10 Aquatic Ecosystem 50
11 Biodiversity 52
11.1 Types of Biodiversity 53
11.2 Biodiversity Hotspot 57
11.3 How to protect biodiversity 59
12 Convention on Biodiversity 65

Study Plan
I. Ecology and Ecosystem -> Notes -> keywords for prelims
II. Biodiversity -> Factual in nature -> notes and ppt
III. Climate change -> Mains and Prelims ( Book)
Most Basic Book is 12th Biology NCERT (last 6 chapters)
Autotrophs the organism which can prepare their one food from sun
light (400nm to 700nm)
Heterotrophs the organism dependent on autotrophs for food.
When autotrophs and heterotrophs dies, they become food for
detritivores and decomposers.
Saprotrophs (Detritivores and Decomposers)

Detritivore is an organism that eats dead or decaying plants or
animals as food. Detritivores include microorganisms such as bacteria
and larger organisms such as fungi, insects, worms, and some
crustaceans.
Detritivores help to breaks complex organic matter into simple form
and after that Decomposers are organism that will further simplify
with the process of Humification and Mineralisation.

1. Ecosystem and Ecology

❖ Levels of Organisation.
❖ Types of Ecosystem and Biomes.
❖ Eutrophication
• Levels of Organisation
BIOSPHERE
BIOMS
ECOSYSTEM
COMMUNITY
POPULATION
INDIVIDUAL
CELL
Fresh water ecosystem can be divided into Lotic (moving water) and
Lentic (stagnant water) ecosystem.

1.1 Population
Members of some species which have the ability to produce fertile
offspring.
Population rate is determined by –
I. Fertility
II. Mortality
III. Immigration
1.2 Species
I. Native and Non-Native species
Native Species Originated in geographical area without any external
factors. Ex Sugarcane. Cotton. Bamboo
Non-Native Species Have been introduced (deliberately or
accidentally) from other geographical area (Habitat). Ex Tea (China),
Coffee (Ethiopia), Potato (Portuguese).
II. Endemic Species-
Those species which are found only in particular geographical
location. Examples
a) Asiatic Lion (endemic to Gujrat)
b) Red Sanders (Pterocarpus Santalinus) endemic to Eastern Ghats
Moist Deciduous forest of Eastern Ghats, Seshachalam hills
National park, Andhra Pradesh (region is famous for Tirupati
Temple). It is protected under schedule VI of wild life protection
act, 1972.
c) Wild Durian are endemic to Western ghats it and it is a key stone
species.
Endemism is very high in
a) Western Ghats near Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Ex.
o Nilgiri Thar (Mukurti National Park, Tamil Nadu )
o Lion Taiced Macque
o Neelkurinji → Flower (Shrub) that grows in shola forest of
Western Ghats. Blooms once in 12 years.

b) Eastern Himalayas (Indo-Burma biodiversity Hotspot) - because it

lies in the junction of three different Biogeographical Zones.
c) Sundaland Biodiversity Hotspot ->Nicobar Island.
III. Intensive Alien Species
These are non-native species which are harmful to the ecosystem
because they propagate very rapidly or they are not very well stablish
in the food chain, they are also known as Exotic Species. Ex. in India
are -
o Prosopis Juliflora or Ganda Bawal,
o Common water Hyacinth,
o Lantana camara,
o Parthenium Hysterophorus (Congress Grass)
o Eucalyptus- Introduce from Australia under social forestry
programme, it is known for reducing ground water table and
causing soil erosion.
o Wattle (Acacia)- Introduced through Australia it is declared as
invasive species in Western Ghats, often causing forest fires.
Why they are threat for local species
a) They propagate rapidly often at the cost of nutrients of other
species.
b) Not part of food chain.
IV. Sentinel Species (Indicator Species)
Also known as indicator species because they are sensitive to the
present or absence of certain environment conditions.
o Lichens (fungus and algae)- Indicates environmental pollution
especially Acid Rain
Dry deposition Wet deposition

Due to the presence of -Oxides of carbon.
-Oxides of sulphur.
- Oxides of nitrogen.

o Frogs- Indicates the health of wetland ecosystem and forest

ecosystem.
o Butterflies are keystone and indicator species. Cirrochroa thais
has been declared as state butterfly of Tamil Nadu, also called as
Tamailian Warrior.
Maharashtra (Blue Mormon), Uttarakhand (Common peacock),
Karnataka (Southern birdwings) and Kerala (banded
peacock)
o All the levels predators such as Lion, Tiger, Leopard etc
They indicates the health of entire ecosystem.
o Pygmy Hog (Assam) indicates the health of grass land
ecosystem.
V. Keystone Species (L-2)
Bees help in the cross pollination which leads to the removal of

disease from plant species.
Diclofenac causes nervous and kidney disorder in vultures, they
consume dead cattle in forest. Rabies death disease- as vultures eat
dead bodies of dog, monkey, cat etc which carries rabies virus,

vultures have enzyme in intestine which kills the virus. Decrease in

the numbers of vulture those dead animals are consumed by wild
dogs. Those dogs met with city dogs and disease carries on through
animals.
Keystone Species are less in number but have disproportionally

larger effect on its natural environment. In the absence of keystone
species the entire environment may collapse. It helps in maintaining
biodiversity food chain, help in cross pollination and therefore known
as engineers of the ecosystem.
The important key stone species are
o Top level predators (tiger, lion, leopard etc.),
o Elephants,
o Pollinators such as Butterfly, Honey bees etc,
o Kelp Forest Under water areas of high-density kelp plants which
is large brown algae which grows generally in temperate and
polar waters. The kelp forest have very high biodiversity support
rich marine animals, climate change leading to decline of these
forest leading to ocean acidification, increases in diseases in
marine animals and collapse in marine food chain.
i. They are good for many countries.
ii. Source of Nutrients especially Iodine.
iii. Decrease the spread of waves, storms and thus protect
coastal ecosystem.
VI. Flagship Species-
Nilgiri Tahar is flagship species of Mukurti National Park, Tamil Nadu.
They are brand ambassador or iconic species of national parks.
1.3 Population Pyramid

Age-sex structure pyramid

(i) (ii) (iii)

i. Expanding population pyramid (wide base and tapering top) are
least developed countries ex Afghanistan, Central African
Nations.
ii. Bell shaped + Stationary population ex Australia.
Population stabilization.
iii. Declining Population More working age population, highly
developed economy ex. India, Germany, West European Nations.
They opt for Pro-Nationalist Policies encouraging population
growth. India will do family planning.
2. Community
Members of different species interacting with each other.
3. Biosphere
Narrow zone of earth’s lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere
which supports life.

3.1 Biotic Interaction
Positive Negative
(+) Mutualism/ Symbiotic (-) Competition
(+) Fungus in the roots of legume. (-)
Zooxanthellae and coral
(+) Commensalism (-) Amensalism
(0) Epiphytes grows on trees (0) Grass growing trees.
(-) Predation
(+) Parasitism, Lion and dear
# Chapter 13 of class 12 biology.
Biotic Interaction- Individual in the ecosystem have interspecific
interactions between the population of two different species.
Negative
a) Predation (+)(-) -As the energy at each tropic level is fixed and
energy transfer only from the lower to higher trophic levels.
Predation is the nature’s way of transferring energy fixed by
plants to higher trophic levels. To control the population of
invasive alien species their predator should be simultaneously
introduced in the ecosystem. Predation helps in maintaining
diversity in the community and also prey species evolving
various defence mechanism such as camouflage(lizard, owl,
grasshopper, frog), developing toxins( monarch butterfly), thorns
as well as plants developing quinine( anti malarian drug) caffeine
and tannin.
b) Competition (o)(o)- it is a enter species interaction in which both

the species compete for same resources which may be limiting
or non limiting in nature which causes harm to both species. As
per Gause’s Competitive exclusion principle the two species
cannot compete indefinitely because fitter species will eliminate
E n v i r o n m e n t a n d E c o l o g y 10

the inferior species. As per another principle Mac Arther there is

resource partitioning.
c) Parasitism – they are host specific

Endo parasite (inside), Ectoparasite (outside), Brood parasite in
which parasitic birds lay eggs in the nest of its host and let the
host incubate them, coocoo and crow.
d) Amensalism (-)(o)- it is an interaction in which one is harmed

while other is not affected ex small shrub growing tree, shrub is
harmed and tree is not harmed.
Positive
a) Commensalism (+)(0)- Ex.
i. Epiphytes orchids growing on mango trees,
ii. Cow dung and beetles
iii. Shark and sucker fish (remora), sucker fish gets attached to
the shark as shark provides them food transportation and
protection.
iv. Clown fish and sea anomie, stinging tentacles and therefore
clown fish gets protection.
b) Mutualism and symbiosis (+)(+)- Both are benefited
i. Common Myna and cattle.
ii. Egrets and cattle.
iii. Hermit crab and sea anemone.
iv. Lichens - Fungus and Algae
Nutrients Food
v. Coral reefs and zooxanthellae.
vi. Root nodules of leguminous plants have fungus and bacteria
These microorganism helps in Nitrogen fixation and plant will

provide carbohydrates to microorganism. Ex Rhizobium is a

nitrogen fixing bacteria.
4. Functions of Ecosystem (L-3)
Energy flow Nutrient cycle Ecological succession

-Food Chain and
Food Web Gaseous cycle Sedimentary Cycle
-Carbon Cycle -Sulphur Cycle
-Hydrogen Cycle -Phosphorus
-Ecological Pyramid -Nitrogen Cycle Cycle
4.1 Ecosystem
Interaction between biotic and abiotic components.
Or, Interaction of organism with surrounding environment.
Abiotic Components
1. Sunlight
a) Most important factor because it is major source of energy.
b) 50%of sunlight is photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), 400 –
700nm and 2% of PAR is used for photosynthesis, 1% of total
sunlight.
c) Photosynthesis is nothing but carbon fixation and biproduct is
oxygen.
Sunlight as limiting factor
Natural Tropical Region At the ground due to

dense canopy
: Undergrowth is Sparse
Terrestrial Polar Region or Absent.

: Adaption in Polar regions

I. Very high amount of body fat, helps in
maintaining body temperature. Polar bear.
II. Short external body parts such as ears tail
etc. – Allen’s Rule
III. Presence of thick fur, wool is bad conductor
of heat.
Allen’s Rule which states that animals adapted to cold climatic
conditions have shorter limbs and body appendages as compared to
animals living in warm climatic conditions.
# Largest wool producing states Rajasthan, Karnataka, Kashmir
# Woollen textile Panjab , Maharashtra.
2. Aquatic Ecosystem (Oxygen)

Limiting factors after the depth of 200m.
Photic zone is zone of photosynthesis.
Amount of sunlight determines the amount of dissolved oxygen in
water.

Human Impact Pollution + Eutrophication
= > Reducing the sunlight and thus increases the demand of oxygen
which is measured in the terms of Biological Oxygen Demand(BOD)
and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) , Higher the BOD and COD less
the quality of water.
Pollution Causing dead zones in oceans (biological deserts)
Sunlight does not penetrate causes no photosynthesis.

Dead zones are oxygen starved regions of oceans.
Pacific Ocean region is dead zones. Recent dead zones in Indian
ocean near the Arabian Sea which is called world’s largest marine
dead zone. (near gulf of Oman)

Pollutants in Ocean
I. Oil spill
II. Plastic waste
III. Sea accidents and sea cargo
Mostly in the central part of Ocean Gyre Circulation.
# Plastic Crust is the plastic pollution which forms outer layer and
crust of the rock mostly polyethene which is washed from the ocean to
the shores. Plastic crust or plastic pollution giving rise to plastic
glomerates that is the new rock formed from plastic waste.
3. Soil
4.Climate and weather conditions
Humidity → Limiting factor Desert

Grasslands
Trees generally do not survive in the grasslands regions :-
I. Less Humidity

II. Natural Forest Fires – are necessary condition for grasslands to

survive. Their seeds are fire and drought proof, and forest fire do
not allow other species to grow in the region. Forest fire destroy
the seeds of other trees act as a defence mechanism for
grasslands.
Biotic Component
Tertiary Heterotrophs
consumer
Secondary
Consumer Saprotrophs
Primary consumer
Autotrophs Self Nourishing
After the death of the Autotrophs and Heterotrophs are eaten and
decomposed by Saprotrophs Organism, that get nourishment from
dead and decaying organic matters.
Saprotrophic food chain- origination from dead and decompose

organic matter it is not a part of grazing food chain it consists of
detritivores and decomposers.
Detritivores is one that eats the dead particles that is detritus ex.
Earthworm, cockroach, rats, snail, vulture.
Decomposers are organism (bacteria and fungus) secretes enzyme to
breakdown dead organic matter and to digest the waste.
Decomposers help in humification which is addition of dead dark
organic matter to the soil known as humus which increases,
I. Acidic content of soil.
II. Water retention capacity of soil.
III. Increases fertility of soil.

# 10% rule – only 10% of energy is transferred from lower to higher

trophic level, Bats (flying fox) in India called Kabini.
Points
I. The energy transfer in the ecosystem is thus insufficient hence
pyramid of energy is always upright.
II. As the energy decreases from lower to higher trophic level so
maximum 4 to 5 levels are available and number of organism
decreasing at each higher trophic level.
III. Higher amount of food in form of energy is required in higher
trophic level giving rise to the problem in the form of
Bioaccumulation, Bioconcentration, Biomagnification.
(L-4)
# Tardigrade are known as water bear or moss piglets, water dwelling
eight legs microorganism that can survive in extreme condition without
food for 39 years. These are found in every climatic regions of earth
including Antarctic and active volcanos. Some tardigrades have
cannibalism and they are Pioneer Species.
# Kajin Sara is highest lake in world, Nepal.
# Formalin are Formaldehyde used to preserving dead bodies, these
are added to fish to look fresh. Formalin is not potentially a bio-
accumulate but it is a bio hazard because it destroys intestine causes
cancer and high amount may be fatal.
# Triclosan is a cancer-causing substance not banned in India.
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/news/20180705/banned-from-soap-
triclosan-in-toothpaste
Triclosan are anti-bacterial agent that is used in soap, detergents, toys
and surgical instruments. It causes hormonal changes in human, bio
accumulation and cardio vascular diseases.
# HT-BT cotton, it is not passed by GEAC (Genetic Engineering
Appraisal Committee) it was cotton which was banned because illegal
cultivation in Maharashtra.

HT-BT herbicide tolerant BT cotton → Soil Bacteria (Bacillus

Thruigiensis) To fight the Ball Worm. These worms are common frit
that infects cotton ball, because it is a common crop on introduced by
Britishers. It was banned because GEAC under the MoEFCC, has not
allowed this cotton because of its hazardous impact of increasing
problems of super weeds. Super Weeds are the weeds which may
over periods experience herbicide tolerance same like anti-biotic
resistance.
Bio-Accumulation, Bio-Concentration, Bio-Magnification

The process by which pollutants which are not bloggable are known
as Bio-Accumulation. If a pollutant enters only from the aquatic
ecosystem or in aquatic organisms than its known as Bio-
Concentration.
Bio-Amplification\Bio-Magnification- once pollution enters the food
chain its concentration increases from lower to higher food chain this
process is known as Bio-Magnification.
Most of these Bio-Accumulates Bio-Magnificante have following
properties
I. They are long lived, ex Dichlorodipenyltrichloroethane (DDT)
II. They are fat soluble, therefore to check the amount of Bio-
Magnificants we check a. Fat tissues in fishes.
b. Milk in mammals.
III. They are mobile, they will be transferred from lower to higher
trophic levels. Ex-
DDT, Endosulphan, Strontium 90, Mercury causes Minamata disease,
Polyethene causes cancer as it gets leached in fluids, soups and
gravy.
Solution is food grade plastic i.e HDPE High Density polyethylene, PET
polyethylene Terephthalate.
DDT
I. Insecticide to control mosquito.

II. Pesticide used on crops.

III. It is banned under Stockholm Convention.
Impacts of DDT
a) Hormone disrupter.
b) Causes infertility in birds and animals.
c) It is endocrine disrupter (Internal organ disrupter)
d) It is an carcinogen causes breast cancer.
# The book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson started environmental
movement in the world.
# India has banned DDT on the agricultural crops but India and North
kores opposing the complete ban of DDT by 2020.
In India it is manufactured by HIL (Hindustan Insecticide limited)
Endoslphan
I. It is a commonly use insecticide.
II. It is a POP, Persistent Organic Pollutant.
III. It was brought under Stockholm convention in 2011.
IV. Banned by most of countries except India.
V. India have decided to phase out Endoslphan in 2017.
Impacts of Endoslphan
a) Cancer
b) Endocrine and hormonal disrupter.
c) Physical and Mental disorder deformation.
It has given yellow level by government of India on
the basis of Toxicity levels. (Red level. Yellow Level.
Blue level. Green level under the Insecticide act 1971.)
Levelling By company is mandatory.
Zinc Phosphide (Red level) it is a rodenticide, It is used
in semiconductor industry and Photovoltaic cells.

Strontium - 90
The bio-accumulant that is produced due to nuclear fission, nuclear
accidents, atomic bombs. Strontium is nontoxic naturally occurring
substance.
It is used for Irradiation of food for human space mission packaged
foods.
It is used for radio therapy against cancers.
Stockholm Convention
On POP’s Persistent Organic Pollutant, these are the pollutants which
have the ability of Bio-accumulation and Bio-magnification. It came
into force in 2004.
The convention initiated banned or phased out 12 bio-accumulant that
are known as dirty dozen. In 2011 Endoslphan was added to the list.
Dirty Dozen- DDT, Endrin, Heptachlor. Hexachlorobenzene. PCB,
Decabromodiphenyl Ether
Hexachlorobenzene- It is the commonly used solvent on plywood,
wooden furniture etc to provide shine.
Decabromodiphenyl Ether (Brominated Flame Retardants used in
coating of carpets, tv. Music system, upholstery Mattress and curtains)
PCB- Polychlorinated Biphenyl Highly toxic bio-accumlent used in
electric machinery, white papers to bleach the papers, in lubricating
oils, fluorescent lamps and microplastic.
4.2 Food Chain
Terrestrial Food Chain Aquatic Food Chain
Grazing Food Chain


Food chain- Is the linear arrangement of who ears what starting from
producer to top level consumers starting from producer to top level
producer. It is the sequence of organism as per the trophic level.
There are two type of food chain-
Grazing Food Chain (sun), Detritus Food Chain (dead and decaying
organic matter)
In reality the ecosystem consists of several interconnected food chain
and this complex interconnection is called food web. This give us an
alternative if any intermediate link of food chain is destroyed.
4.3 Ecological Pyramid (L-5)
1. Pyramid of numbers.
2. Pyramid of Bio-mass.
3. Pyramid of energy.
They can be inverted or upright, in terrestrial ecosystem pyramid
will be always upright.
Process of maintaining self-regulation in the ecosystem is called
Homeostatic.
Eco location animals use sound waves for locomotion.

Pyramid of numbers- Numbers of organism (different species) at an

individual trophic level. These number of species are organised as per
trophic level or hierarchy to give rise to Pyramid of numbers. They are
always upright in the aquatic ecosystem and it is generally upright in
the terrestrial ecosystem but sometimes it can be inverted also (Tree
Ecosystem). In aquatic ecosystem the producers are microscopically
small phytoplankton
therefore they are huge in
numbers as compared to
subsequent trophic level. It
is upright in grassland
ecosystem but in is inverted
or spindle shape in tree
ecosystem. In the inverted
pyramids parasitic food
chain is also include.
Pyramid of Biomass- Biomass is the weight but for the pyramid of

biomass, dry weight is considered. In the terrestrial ecosystem the
pyramid of biomass is always upright because the weight of producer
is always greater than the weight of consumer. As we go up 90% of
the biomass is lost at each trophic level because-
I. Most of the biomass is not eaten and becomes input for
decomposers
II. Not all the biomass are consumed by the organism is converted
into tissue but is stored or utilized
In aquatic ecosystem the producers are phytoplankton having

negligible weight and hence the pyramid is inverted.

Food chain/
Energy Food web
Transfer Ecological
Function of Pyramid
Ecosystem
Primary
Ecological
Succession
Secondary

4.4 Ecological Succession

It is a process by which communities of plants and animals over the
pried of time replaced in series from simple pioneer community to
multicellular complex that is climax community.
The initial species to come an are is known as pioneer community.
The work of pioneer community is to make the ground ready for
subsequent seral and climax community.
# Sir Arthur Transley given the idea of complex community.

1. The earliest community colonised an area called pioneer
community they are simple and unicellular and helps in breaking
the rocks, Formation of soil and starts ecological succession. The
pioneer community helps in enriching the soil with nutrients,
increasing the sources of ground water and also cushioning the
ground.
2. Pioneer community is replaced by seral community through their
root system by enrich the soil by mixing the nutrients, add humus in
the soil increase the productivity and thus increase the complexity

of food web. (As the succession occurs complexity in terms of

niche, food web, bio diversity keeps on increasing.)
3. Ecological Niche starts developing leading to final stage of
succession in the form of stable mature and long lasting and
complex climax community. (L-6)
In the mountain show succession of vegetation, this is found in both

eastern and western Himalayas not in N-S Himalayas. The major
protected area showing the succession of vegetation are Nanda Devi
biosphere reserve, Kanchenjunga, Neora Valley, Namdapha Mishmi
hills of Arunachal Pradesh, Dihang-Dibang Biosphere reserve.

There are two type of Succession

Primary it is very slow as it occurs on bare or unoccupied areas such
as newly formed delta, newly formed volcanic island.
Secondary Succession which occurs on partial or complete
destruction of existing community such succession is faster because
in secondary succession mostly climax community is destroyed. Ex.
Forest fires, Deforestation, changes in lake ecology due to human
intervention
But in succession especially in tropics, secondary forest is not as
luxurious as original vegetation due to leaching.
When the succession is brought out by living inhabitant itself than it is
known as autogenic succession on other hand the change is brought
by outer sources are known as allogenic succession.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um2Q9aUecy0
5. Gaseous Cycling
Gaseous cycle Sedimentry

(atmosphere) cycle (rocks)
Nitrogen Phosphorus
Carbon cycle Water cycle Sulphur cycle
cycle cycle
Nutrient cycling is major function of transfer of nutrient from non-living

and again to non-living factors. Gaseous cycles are fast and known as
efficient and perfect cycle because loss of nutrient is very less. The
sedimentary cycle originate from earths crust are not as efficient
because the sediment gets lost. Important sedimentary cycle are
Sulphur cycle, Phosphorus cycle, Magnesium cycle, Calcium cycle
etc.

5.1 Nitrogen cycle
(a)
(B)
(c)
(d)
1. Nitrogen is an important component in living organism as it is a

major constituent of amino acids, proteins, vitamins and hormones.
2. Though it is the most abundant gas, but it is also a limiting nutrient
because it needs to be fixed which occurs in three ways.
I. Lightning and thunder.
II. Bacteria and blue green algae.
III. Fertilizers industry.
3. Colombo declaration is a rode map given by UNEP for sustainable
management of Nitrogen Pollution it is a part of campaign ‘Nitrogen
for Life’ to reduce reactive nitrogen with technical support from
INMS (International Nitrogen Management system) it is a joint
initiative of UNEP and INI (International Nitrogen Initiative). INI is an
international Program setup in 2003, by SCOPE (Scientific
Committee on the Problems of Environment) and IGBP
(International Geosphere Biosphere Program and Future Earth.
Future Earth is collabration of Scientist worldwide.
a) Free living Bacteria (N2 to Ammonia conversion)
I. Certain microorganism by releasing the enzyme nitrogenase are
able to fix the nitrogen into ammonia. These bacteria are free

living bacteria which includes Azetobacter, Beijemicia (aerobic

condition), Clostrodium, Rhodospirullium ( anaerobic condition).
II. They are associated with root nodules of leguminous plants, Ex
Rhizobium.
III. It is found in Aquatic Ecosystem called Cyanobacteria have
symbiotic association with blue green algae ex. Nostoc,
Spirulina, Anabaena
b) Ammonia directly taken by plant or it converted into Nitrides by
bacteria Nitrosomonas and Nitrococcus .
c) Nitrides are than converted into Nitrates by bacteria Nitrobacter.
The nitrates are absorbed by plants and converted into amino acids.
# The process of conversion of Ammonia to Nitrates is known as
Nitrification.
d) Excess of nitrogen is given by living organism in the form of waste
i.e. urea, uric acid which is converted to ammonia this can be
utilized by plant or reduced directly to nitrogen. The process of
conversion of ammonia or nitrates to nitrogen is known as
Denitrification which is done by Denitrifying bacteria ex.
Thiobacillus, Pseudomonas. In the process of denitrification
methane and water vapour is released.
Application of Nitrogen Cycle
a) Nitrogen pollution
I. Biomass burning (Nox)
 Stubble burning, Jhum cultivation,
 Forest fire , Garbage burning,
 Coal and vehicular pollution.
II. Poultry Industry
III. Cattle Rearing (Urine → ammonia/ nitrogen compound)
IV. Excessive use of Nitrogenous phosphorus fertilizers →
eutrophication → harmful algal bloom
a) Bio-toilets waterless and uses a spray of bacteria which breaks
down the waste matter to give out CH4 , water vapour and CO2.

b) Photochemical Smog- Vehicular, Industrial pollution, and biomass

building.
c) Wetlands/ rice fields- conditions are Hypoxic, release of methene.
d) Eutrophication Eutrophication
Nutrient enrichment of Lakes Alglal Bloom(Harmfull)
Natural Cultural More number of

algae will start dying.
Humans
Release of CO2 -->
BCOD will increase.
Block sunlight --> water
will become Hyopxic.
Death of marine
organism (red tide)
5.2 Phosphorus Cycle (L-7)
Is important component of sedimentary cycle it is released whenever
the rocks breaks or during erosion or gets mixed with ocean waters
and accumulates in ocean beds.
Excessive phosphorus is responsible for eutrophication because
phosphorus is the major nutrient in the aquatic ecosystem.
Soil is also a major sink of phosphorus because microorganism helps
in fixing the phosphorus to phosphate rock.
5.3 Sulphur Cycles
It is a sedimentary cycle because sulphur is major constituent of rock,
as well as living organism.
Sulphur cycle is both biologically and chemically driven,
Chemotropic Bacteria will release the sulphur from hydro thermal
vents. Hydrothermal Vents are the fusser on the sea floor found near
volcanically active places from which heated water comes out.

Sulphur is released due to weathering of the rocks, volcanic eruptions,

burning of fossil fuel, mining activity, wrong agricultural practices
(stubble burning, deep tillage), burning of biomass, it is also released
by decomposition from the ocean surface,
Impacts of Sulphur
I. Acid Rain
II. Smog (pollution)
III. Global warming (GHG, SOx )
##
Silver iodide
Potassium iodide Materials used for cloud seeding to induce
Dry ice Artificial Rain. Pioneer state is T.N
Liquid propane
Common salt
6. Ecotone
It is Narrow transition zone having very biodiversity, very high bio-productivity,
this is a region in which plants and animals form different ecosystem will be
there therefore it is known as zone of tension, because it is located at boundary
therefore is known as edge effect. Edge species are exclusive in the particular
region.
Ecotone is narrow transition zone present between two contrasting or different
ecosystem, in this narrow zone the two communities meet as well as integrate. It
is because in this zone conditions are intermediate to the surroundings. Ex
grasslands between desert and deciduous forest. Hence it is a zone of tension
most of the times the number of species and population density is much greater
than the surroundings regions. Ex gulf of Mannar, Chilika lake

Some of the species are found exclusive in the ecotone or found most
abundantly in the ecotone, such species are called edge species.
Ex crocodile. In ecotone number and population density of one community
decreases as we move away from the ecosystem.
7. Ecological Niche
It is a unique functional role and the position of a species in a habitat
in ecosystem. Thus, the ecological niche depends on the habitat
because no two species can have same ecological niche in a same
habitat else there will be competition and displacement of one
species.
Ecological niche plays an important role in the conservation of animal.
Knowledge of niche and its native habitat is required for the
conservation of species. (Habitat is geographical area).

90° N Tundra
60-65° British Type / Boreal Biome/ Laurentia Type of Cool
N Tiaga Biome
NW Europe climate (Mixing of Tempe-
Temperate
Evergreen warm and cold ocean
Type coniferous Forest current)
rate
40- Mediterranean Steppe/ China type / Warm
45°N
Biome Temperate Temperate Tempe-
Grasslands Monsoon rate
30-35° Hot desert Tropical Monsoon Biome/ Hot
N
Grasslands/ Tropical
Tropics
Biome Tropics
Savana Biome Deciduous Biome
0-10° N Rain forest/Tropical evergreen forest biome
Lentic (still)
Fresh water
Lotic (moving)
Aquatic Barkish(5-35%)
Natural
8.Biomes
Terrestial
saline water saline (35-50%)
Agricultural
Artificial Brine(>50%)
lands
Lotic Lentic Brackish Saline Brine
• Rivers • Kolleru • Chilika • Oceans • Sambar

Lake • Pulicat • Tso Morial • Didhwana
• Wular Lake • vembanad • Pangong • Dead sea
• Dal Lake • Asthamudi Tso • Van Golu
• Sundarban (Turkey)

Tundra- Found in Northern Hemisphere, soil is permafrost.

Alpine Tundra is found on the third pole of the world. Temperature are
cool summer 10°c and very cold winters -40°c.
Natural vegetation- there is no trees in this type of climate. Pioneer
species are Moss, Lichens, Rhododendrons.
Animals- Polar bear (North Pole), Rein deer, Artic fox, Artic Hare,
Penguins (South pole). Animals have long life span due to slow tare of
respiration. They have thick cuticle and epidermal hair (Fur). Large
body size but small external body parts.
Tundra Himalayas it has Inuits, Eskimos and Yakuts are the tribe, they
are hunter and food gatherers. (L-8)
Tropical Evergreen type of climate-

1. Hot and humid climate throughout of year.

2. Uniformity throughout the year.
3. Soil →
➢ Laterite (heavily Leached) not supports luxurious secondary
vegetation.
➢ Red in colour due to presence of iron oxide.
4. Natural vegetation- very dense and trees are found in four to five
layers having continuous canopy.
➢ Hard wood,
➢ Undergrowth is less or absent,
➢ Species diversity is very high.
➢ Imp species – mahogany, Ebony, Rose wood,
▪ Bamboo ( is no longer a tree outside the forest area, Cultivation
of bamboo is permissible outside forest area under Forest
Right Act, 2006.
▪ Epiphytes ( orchids of Sessa wild life century Arunachal
Pradesh, Balphakaram National Park Garo hills Meghalaya
famous for Pitcher Plant protected under Schedule VI of
wildlife protection Acts 1972 ,
➢ Roots are butterss roots (Living Bridge in Meghalaya)
➢ Rain- Double rainfall proofs coinciding with Equinox is main
characteristic.

5. Agriculture soil being lateritic it is not important for agricultural crop

except plantation agriculture is taken on large scale with heavy
doge of fertilizers and pesticides. Major crops are cocoa (Ghana
and ivory coast), Palm oil (Indonesia and Malesia), Sugar cane,
Tapioca (Kerala), Vanilla and camphor it is the oil that is extracted
from the wood of camphor trees, Tobacco
National Mission on oilseed and palm oil –
It is a technology mission to reduce the import dependency on edible
oil because India is largest importer of edible oil of the world.
Only 1/4th of the county producing oil seed is under irrigation therefore
mission was launched with following objectives.
I. Increase the irrigation coverage under the oil seeds to 36%.
II. Increase the seed replacement ratio (SRR) in oil seeds.
III. Use the fellow land after potato rice and wheat cultivation for the
cultivation of oil seeds.
IV. Processing of tree born oil seeds such as neem, wall nut
Jatropha, jajoba coconut and Palm Oil. ( Tree born oil seeds are
classified as minor forest product under Indian forest act, 1927,
idea of the government to reduce import dependency by
focusing more on tree born oil seeds specially sal oil)
V. Expansion of cultivation of Oil farm
VI. Increasing the availability of quality planting material including the
quality seeds in agriculture and forest regions this scheme is
implemented in the ratio of 75:25.
Savanna Biome
I. Ex. Orinicco Basin (llanos), Brazil (Campos), Africa→ Masai Land
→ Highlands of KUT that is Kenya, Uganda, Tarzania.
II. Worlds best national park Masaumara, Kenya
III. This region has AlterNet wet and dry climate.
IV. Average rainfall around 50-70 cm

V. Rains occurs during summers, while winters are dry, ( No distinct

rainy season, rain happens any time in summers)
VI. Natural vegetation-

▪ Dominated by tall coarse grasses and short trees.
▪ Trees are present along borders (Park land scape/ Bush-verd
topography)
▪ Water limits and forest fires ensures that trees do not replace
grasses in ecological successions.
VII. Adaptation of trees
▪ Broad Trunks (store water)
▪ Umbrella shaped canopy to resist the winds.
VIII. Grasses are very tall (Elephant Grass), Course, wiry and bunchy.
Hence, they do not supports Beast of burden and mulch animals
are not found there fore it has dominance of carnivores hence
known as Big game country.
The major carnivorous are African Lions, hence herbivores
develop camouflage, speed or strength.
E.g.- African Elephants, Spring Buck, Zebra, Ostrich, Hippo.
# Traffic was jointly launched by WWF and IUCN to protect
African Elephants.
IX. Masai are important tribes, they are nomadic headers. They have
a cattle Zebu cattle symbol of wealth and Tribe are known for
drinking blood.
Nigeria- It is a country located in west Africa is 7th most populated
country in the world, it has rich reserve of oil and natural gas, it is
member of OPEC, Nok civilisation belong to this area.
Desert Biome
A. Hot Desert- 25° to 35°
▪ Sub-Tropical HP belt (air descend and becomes warm).
▪ Trade Winds are off shore.

▪ Washed by cold currents.

B. Cold Desert- 40° to 50°
▪ In the middle latitudes and they are on the leeward side of
mountains.
I. Climate
▪ Daily range of temperature is very high.
▪ Summers have low rain due to convention.
II. Natural vegetation → Xerophytic
▪ No leaves or tiny leaves.
▪ Thorns to reduce evapotranspiration (leaves are modified into
thorns)
▪ Succulent stems (Juicy, watery stems)
▪ Hairy, juicy and waxy leaves.
III. Animal Life (India)
▪ Great Indian bustard. It is a large bird found in the Indian
subcontinent, near India and Pakistan border. It is only smaller
in size than Kori Bustard. It is critically endangered though it is
common in all Indian subcontinent, today it is found in
Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. It has
been given protection under schedule I. MoEFCC and WII
have constituted a special fund of 33 crores to save the great
Indian bastard from extinction under the program known as
GIB program, Under this program eggs are incubated and
when hatch the chicks after raising will be release outside at
age 4-5 years. This type of program called Captive Breeding
it’s a Ex-situ conservation.
( It is mentioned in Babar-Nama)
# WII (wildlife institute of India) it is an autonomous institution
established in 1982. Under the Ministry of Environment and Forest.
The institute is engaged in research training academic as well as
advisory role. Its Headquarters at, Dehradun.

Draught toolbox recently launched in UNCCD COP at Delhi (Noida).

The recent event conference on desertification occurred in Delhi
focused on preventing and for casting the draught by launching one
stop solution known as Draught Toolbox. In the same conference
PM revised India’s target of restoration of degraded land from 21-
26 million hectors by 2030.
Temperate Grasslands/Steppe (L-9)
The steppe grassland of central Asia was once dominated by nomadic

tribes but under the communist regime of erst and USSR.
This were brought under collective farming and settled. Today these
tribes are known as Kazak of Kazakhstan, Tajik of Tajikistan, Uzbeks
of Uzbekistan, Turks of Turkmenistan etc.
Basics of this climate
• They lie in the westerly wind belt away from marine time influence
(far from sea).
• The steppe in the southern have comparatively moderate climate
because of narrowness and marine time influence (near to the
coast).

• They have extremes of temperature with summers very warm

around 30°C and winters experiencing sub-0°C temperature.
• In the southern Hemisphere the steppe climate in not extreme due
to marine time influence.
• Precipitation will be lighter mostly through convection in summer
and occasionally few westerly disturbances, Precipitation is around
40 – 50 cm
• The steppe is practically is tree less (No trees) natural horses are
naturally found in this area. The grasses are short and
comparatively juicy and nutritious.
• They require less moisture, hence cattle rearing and domestication
of animals are occupation in this region.
• Over the period this region is developed extensively recognised as
wheat cultivating regions. Extensive mechanised farming (India is
intensive substantive farming Rice is important crop)
Per hectare yield of land is high in intensive, and total production is
high in extensive. {Doha and Singapore issues}
# Intensive Substantive farming

Productivity is high but final produce is low, Yield per person is Low.
In Lower lattitude
Winter Wheat
Hard Wheat and less
moisture contant.
1. Wheat
In Higher lattitude.
Spring Wheat
Soft Wheat with
more moisture.

2. Barley Fodder crop used to make alcohol , In India it is a rabi crop

grown in the north part of India.
3. Beet Root used for making sugar
4. Corn it is not a food crop, It is used as fodder for artificial fattening
of animals.
Pastoral Farming or animal rearing is another important occupation is

done in region of extensive or very large farms → North and south
America. Important crop is Beef. In India mixed farming is popular.
Estancias- Large ranges in South America.
Frigorificos- Large meat packing factories.
Fazendas- Coffee plantation in South America.
Off shore trade

Dry summers
wind.
Mediterranean
Due to shift of Pressuere belt
Biom
On shore
Wet Winters
westerlies
Areas Western part of continent. 35° N&S to 45° N&S

a) Countries surrounding Mediterranean Sea.
b) Central Chile.
c) California and San Francisco region.
d) South west Africa → around Cape town.
e) SW Australia
Vegetation
a) Dominated by local winds.
b) Absence of shade is the chief characteristics because trees are
short widely spaced and having tiny leaves.

c) In the high lands regions of Mediterranean where the rainfall and

precipitation occurs through out the year, ever green coniferous
trees are found. Ex Fur, Pine, Cedar, Cyperus some broad leaf trees
such as oak and sequoia (Tallest trees of world) and eucalyptus are
found.
d) Vegetation is sclerophyll means they have ability to store water
have hard and short leaves and have protective scales which
protect them form hot winds and draughts.
e) Trees are xerophytic and sclerophyll
f) Due to xerophytic vegetation cattle rearing is not important
occupation. Viti culture is important occupation, citrus fruit.
China Type of vegetation. Such type of climate is found in the eastern

margins of continent just outside of tropics and it is divided into China
type or temperate type monsoon and Gulf type (Gulf of Mexico).

China Type
China Type Gulf Type

Temperate Famous for
Famous for Typhoons Gylf of Mexico
Moonsoon Hurricanes
The China type of climate is washed by warm ocean currents and

therefore tropical cyclone is common during the late summers. The
China type of climate is famous for Rice especially upland rice (Rice
grown on terrace cultivation)
The natal type of climate is famous for sugar cane and the gulf type of
climate is famous for corn tobacco (best tobacco called Virginia
tobacco) and cotton
Taiga / Boreal Biome

This is the region of cool temperate continental climate.
Siberian type of climate it is found north of steppe it is found in
continuous belt in north America in the provinces of Canada and
Alaska and in Eurasia stretching from Norway Sweden into Asia this
entire patch is dominated by evergreen coniferous trees. This climate
is absent in southern hemisphere due to narrowness of continents.

Climate- Summers are cool and very short only two months. Winters
are extremely long and cold the maximum summer temperature is
18°C. The coldest place of the earth is Verkhoyansk, Russia. Blizzard
and Burren is important local winds.

Vegetation the trees can withstand extreme cold the important species
are Pine Fir Spruce Larch. In India Deodar, Chinar. The wood is soft
wood and there for these countries are largest paper producing paper
of the world.
Adaptations-
a) They are of moderate density unlike equatorial forest which is high
density.
b) Trees are very tall.
c) They are conical in shape and have sloping branches.
d) Leaves are small thick, pointed and leathery to prevent
evapotranspiration and protect them from frostbite.
e) There is little undergrowth as absence of sunlight and poor
leached soil.
f) The most important occupation is lumbering because of soft wood
and presence of trees in homogeneous stands or pure stands of
single species.
g) Glaciers act as natural carriers for wood.

Consider the following statements?

a) Only natural lakes are classified as wetlands
b) Rivers are not classified as wetlands due to lotic ecosystem.
c) After identification Ramsar Convention advises government
certain measures for conservation of wetlands
a. 1 and 3
b. 1,2 and 3
c. None ©
d. Only 3
Which are /can be classified as wetlands?
a) Man made lakes
b) Natural lakes
c) Coastal areas
d) Mangroves
e) rice fields (All Correct)
9. Wetlands (L-10)
Wetlands is areas of marsh, stagnant as well as flowing water, pit
land, fen (frequently flooded area). It can be an artificial or natural
temporary or permanent, area of fresh water, brackish water or
ground water, rivers, rice fields as well as coastal region marine
water provided depth at low tide doesn’t exceed six meters.
Wetlands
Coastal Inland
Natural Natural
Man made Ex salt pans, Man Made Eg. Paddy

Aqua culture, Paddy Field , Tanks
Field
41 | E n v i r o n m e n t
9.1 Importance of wetlands

India has more than 66,000 wetlands which is both inland and
coastal wetland, but the number of inland wetland as well as
geographical area under them is more than the coastal wetland.
Ecosystem services provided by wetlands
1. Processing services provide us

• Food (Rice and fish)
• Water (helps to recharge of ground water)
• Jobs and livelihoods
• Fibre and Timber
2. Protecting services – it protects us from
• Floods, cyclone and Tsunami because they slow down speed
of waves, wind and other agents of erosion.
• They are known as low energy coast where speed of waves
decreases.
3. Regulating services
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhLlqdPB_Rs
• Recharge of ground water.
• Helps in making coast beaches by deposition the sediments.
• Nutrient cycle
• Riparian buffer
4. Cultural services
Non-Material benefit we derive from ecosystem.
• spirituality
• Tourism
• Recreational
Protection of wetlands
1. Ramsar convention → signed on 2nd Feb,1971 and therefore we
celebrate 2nd Feb as World Wetland Day. (Ramsar city in Iran)
2. Ramsar convention is a inter Government international treaty for
the protection of “wetlands of international importance”.
3. It was signed because around 64% of world’s wetlands have
disappeared on signing the countries undertake three
commitments.
• Each contracting party designate at least one wetland as a
wetland on international importance.
• The country commits to wise use (sustainable use of wetlands)
• Commits to co-operate on trans boundary wetlands. Pangong

lake and Sundarbans. Indian Sundarbans became Ramsar site
in Feb,2019.
Nine criteria for identification under Ramsar Site.
1) Unique or rare, natural or artificial wetland.
2) It supports vulnerable, Endangered, critically endangered,
supports threatened communities.
3) Supports the population of plant and animal species which are
important for maintaining biodiversity.
4) Supports plant and animals (population) during critical stages of
life cycle, and provide refuge during adverse conditions.
5) It is a important source of food, spawning ground (egg laying
ground) or nursery.
6) Regularly supports 20,000 or more birds.
7) Regularly supports 1% of individuals in a population of one
species.
8) It supports indigenous fishes.
9) It should support some important wetland-based animal species.
UK Has maximum number of Ramsar sites (170). Followed by
Mexico. Bolivia have largest area under Ramsar sites.
10 new sites have been identified under Ramsar the important
Ramsar sites in India are –
1. Asthamudi Wetland (Kerala), Kollada river
2. Bhitar Karnika Wetland Gahirmata Marine Sanctuary.
3. Bhoj Wetland Madhya Pradesh, famous for saras crane (largest
flying bird in India),
4. Chilika Lake, Daya river, Nalbana Bird century, MegalJooti WLS
5. Deepor Beel, Assam it is an oxbow lake on river Bhramputra.it
is also an WLC
6. East Kolkata Wetlands- it is an man made site which is made by
cities organic sewage it is a rich reservoir of fishes providing
regulating services as well as provides oxygen to the
atmosphere. It is Ecological wonder man made site.
7. Keoladwo Ghana artificial Wetland from river Chambal.

Bharatpur Bird sanctuary, famous for Siberian Crane.
Monteraux Record due to Invasive species Paspalum
Distichum.
8. Kollrtu lake, Krishna and Godavari river, Pelican bird
9. Loktak Lake, Dancing Deer , Keibul Lanjai National park it is in
the Montreaux record because of Ithai Dam in Manipur.
10.Nal sarovar bird century it is natural fresh water lake and
largest in thar desert region. Famous for sociable Lapwing and
Brahminy Duck.
11.Point Calimere in Tamil Nadu famous for Dry evergreen forests
of India. Located on Kaveri River it is an artificial lake build by
Raja Raja chola I.
12.Samber Lake, Largest saline inland wetland of India famous for
greater Flamingo.
13.Tso Moriri Ut Ladakh saline wetland Famous for Black necked
crane. it is only breeding ground for bar headed goose in India.
Bharal or Blue ship. Argali or giant Tibetan Sheep. Equs Kiang
Tibetan wild ass.
14.Upper Ganga River, From Brijghat to Narora, UP region of both
Gharial and Gangetic Dolphin.
15.Vembanad Lake it is the longest lagoon in India.
16.Hstike Lake artificial lake on Sutlej and Beas.
17.Hokera artificial in J&K.
18.Kanjali Lake It is a man made wetland located on Kali Bien
River.
19.Pong Dam On river Beas
20.Renuka Lake it is largest lake in Himachal Pradesh
21.Ropar Lake artificial Punjab.
22.Rudra Sagar Lake Tripura It is a natural lake.
23.sasthankotta Lake, Kerela
24.swinsar Mansar Lake WLS
25.Sundar Bans
26.Wular largest fresh water lake in India Jammu and Kashmir.
27.Chandra Taal lake , Himachal Pradesh.
On The eve of world wetland day 10 New sites are added they are
1. Nandur Madhmeshwar from Maharashtra it is famous for Indian
spotted Eagle and butter cat Fish.
2. keshopur Moni
3. Beas Conservation reserve Punjab
4. Nangal Dam
5. Nawabganj
6. Parvati Agra
7. Samas Uttar Pradesh
8. Samaspur
9. Sandi
10.Sarsi
Q. A person travel from Kerala to Himachal which wetland he will
encounter in the order he travels?
Kolleru, Bhoj, Sambar, Renuka
9.1 Montreux Record (L-11)
it is the register kept under the Ramsar convention, It includes the
wetlands where changes in ecological character occurred or
occurring or likely to occur, As a results of
a) Technological development
b) Pollution
c) Other Human influence
It was established in 1990, It is a voluntary mechanism includes
those sites which is going to face or facing immediate challenges.
Ramsar doesn’t works at ground level hence they have NGO which
works at ground level.
Ramsar Partners → NGO → works at ground level.
I. Birdlife International - it is an international organisational partner
under Ramsar. They are the leader in conservation of Birds.
• It is a partnership of conservation organisation across the
world, which strives to conserve the birds their habitats and
global diversity.
• It publishes World Birdwatch and Bird life magazines.

• It is the official listing authority for birds in IUCN red list.
• It undertakes campaign known as IBA (International Bird and
Biodiversity Areas), are areas identified for the conservation of
birds population this sites are the regions of
o Globally threaten bird species
o Restricted range species
o Biome restricted species
• IBA do not have the status of protected areas network.
• The important IBA in India are Alniya Dam, Bandhavagarh
National Park, Barail Range, Kolleru Lake, Munnar Lake.
• Who is partner of BI in India? → BNHS (Bombay Natural
History society). The oldest NGO in India 1883. They engaged
in conservation of birds and biodiversity as well as sustainable
development it is a official partner which have been given the
status of scientific Research Organisation. It conducts following
campaigns. Natural Trails, Internet of Birds (Database of all
important birds in India), Bird Band mobile application, Bird
census, in collaboration with MoEFCC, BNHS has started
SACON ( Salim Ali centre on Ornithology and Natural History)
at Coimbatore conducts post graduate course on Ornithology.
o Nishi Tribes where the traditional head gear is made form

the Beaks of Hornbill bird.
o Hornbill Festival
1. Nagaland
2. Pakke Tiger Reserve, Arunachal.
#Bison Horn festival in Kanger Ghati National Park, Chhattisgarh by
Maria or Muria Tribe. River Kanger
II. Wetlands International (HQ Netherlands) is leader in conservation
and restoration of wetland. It is global NGO that is supported by
governments, civil society and cooperates.
o On the ground scientific training projects for the
conservation of wetlands.
o It advocates both national and international governments
for conservation of wetlands thorough policy making for
conservation of wetlands.
III. WWF (World Wide fund for Nature, Symbol is panda, HQ Gland,
Switzerland) It is the largest NGO that works in the fields of --
o Preservation of wildlife
o Reduction of human impact on environment
o Reducing human footprint
Source of funding is Individuals (55%), Governments, Cooperates
Work and campaign are
o Earth Hour 8:30pm to 9:30pm in the end of march.
Started in Sydney, Australia
o Debt for Nature Swap are the financial swap in which the
portion of developing country foreign debt is forgiven in
exchange of local investment environmental conservation
measures it is supported by GEF (Global Environment
Facility), Nature conservancy, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.
o Publishes once in 2 years “Living Planet Index” and “Living
Planet Index” with Zoological society of London
o Living Planet Index is the indicator of the state of the global
biodiversity which is based on the trends of Vertebrate
population from around the world. This index was developed
by WWF with collaboration with WCMC (World Conservation
Monitoring Centre) It is an executive agency of UN

Environment Programme. That supports and operates UN-
CITES, UN-CBD.
o WCMC was initially an independent organisation of IUCN but
later on became the part of UN- Environment Programme.
o What is LPI based on? On Ecological Foot print
o Ecological Footprint is the measure of human demand on the
environment or in other words it is the area that nature
requires for earth to regenerate the resources we use in one
year. Ecological footprint is the area required to sustain
indefinitely a person, a city, a country etc because it accounts
for consumption of food water etc and creation of waste.
o Ecological Foot print is measured in Global Hectares per
person (gha/person) on other hand carrying capacity refers
to the optimum population that earth can support or in other
words earths capacity to generate resources as well as to
recycle the waste.
o As per the living planet report 2019 our global ecological
footprint is 2.84 gha/person where as earths carrying
capacity is 1.68 gha/person our footprint is 70% larger than
that of the earth. Or in other words earth will require 1 year
and 7months to regenerate natural resources that we
consume in 1 year. condition is more serious in countries like
India where ecological footprint is 1.12 gha/person while
India’s biocapacity is only 0.45 gha/person. This means for
sustainable development of India the size of India should be
2.5 times greater than India to prevent Ecological Disaster
and Demographic timebomb.
o Earth Overshoot - it is calculated by Global Footprint Network
which is a NGO based in UK, It is based on the calculation of
ecological footprint. Earth Overshoot occurs when humanity
consumes all the resources for that particular year much
before the end of the year our resource consumption
exceeds the earths capacity to regenerate the resources. It
occurred on 29th July, 2019 also known as Ecological Debt

Day.
10. Aquatic Ecosystem (L- 12)

Mangroves – Are evergreen trees, grow in Hydric soil (water lock).
They are example of Halophytes that they are the trees growing in
salty soil found on shore delta estuaries and tidal flats (island made
due to wave). They grow in the regions of abundant silt and
therefore they are located on the mouth of rivers. They have very
high biodiversity because they provides nesting grounds for verity
of fishes amphibions and reptiles and they are example of ecotone
and thus they support tourism activities.
Adaptation- The mangroves show arching prop root system. Ex
Rhizophora, some species shows Pneumatophores (vertical air
roots). Mangroves can tolerate saline water because some species
of mangroves can block absorption of salt at the roots and some
species secrete excess salt from leaves.
Viviparity (Viviparous)- Seeds germinate on the trees itself before
falling on the ground.
Importance of Mangroves
o Provide fuel food and fibre and therefore they are important for
coastal communities.
o Provides employment to local communities
o Mangroves help in recycling of nutrients and humus formation.
o Coast is low energy coast Because the mangroves through
their extensive root system will protect the coastal regions
from floods, cyclones, tsunami, as well as erosion action of
waves and tides.
Important Mangroves in India
A. Sundar Bans (WB)- Largest mangroves in the world dominated
by sundri tree. It became Ramsar site in 2019. It is a world
heritage site 1987. It is famous for royal Bengal tiger and spotted
deer.
B. Ganga Sagar is also famous for mangroves.
C. Bhitarkarnika (Odisha)- Beterni, Brahmani and Mahanadi, famous

for Olive Ridley Turtle, Gahirmata WLS.
D. Chilika, Mangal Jodi and Nalbana WLS.
E. Chandrabhaga/ Gopalpur Beach (Blue Flag Certification).
F. Andhra Pradesh – Coringa on Godavari River.
G. Tamil Nadu- Pulicat, Ramnad, Muthu Pet, Pichavaram near
Chidambaram city.
H. Gujrat- Gulf of Khambhat is the most important for mangroves.
I. Gulf of Kutch.
J. Maharashtra- Vasai (Bassein), Achra-Ratnagiri, Veldur, Kundalika
- Revdnada mangroves.
K. Karnataka- Coondapur, Hannavar, Karwar,
L. Kerala- Vembarad, Astamudi.
Mangroves for future Is a unique partner lead initiative for promoting
investment in coastal ecosystem. It is lead by IUCN and UNDP it
was launched after Indian ocean tsunami in the year 2006. The
objective is conservation restoration and sustainable management
of coastal ecosystem as an important natural infrastructure so that.
• It will improve and strengthen integrated coastal management.
• Empowers civil society.
• Enhance coastal governance.
• Countries covered are Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Thailand,
Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Seychelles.
Maldives, Pakistan.
• As per the Indian State of Forest report 2019, mangrove cover
of the country has increased by 1.10%
11. Biodiversity
Genetics
What/ Types Species
Ecosystem
Alpha, Beta and

Biodiversity
Mesurement
Gama
In-Situ
Ex- situ National Parks
Wild life
Sanctuaries
National Level Community
Reserves
Importance to
protect Conservation
Reserves
Biosphere Reserve Eco-Sensitive
Zones
Hot spots
Global Zoo Eco

Regions
International Level
Mega Bio-Diverse
CBD
countries
Agreements Nagoya Prococol
Cartegena
Protocol
Biodiversity- it is a verity of life that is present in a geographical

habitat which can be country region or entire continent. Biodiversity
includes variation among all the living organism from all the sources
and it is expressed in the form of diversity within the species and
between the ecosystems.
11.1 Types of Biodiversity

I. Genetic Diversity- It concerns with the variation of gens within the
particular species. Some species can survive drastic changes
because they have desirable genetic variation.
Importance- It increases the chances of adaptation and survival.
Ex- Carbon fertilisation some trees adapted to the higher level of
carbon dioxide by increasing the rate of photosynthesis and
therefore removing more carbon dioxide, growing faster and also
producing more crop yields. (Global warming and fight against
the global warming the plants are getting adapted to higher
carbon level)
II. Species Diversity- it is the diversity that is present between the
species in an ecosystem. Species diversity is very high in tropical
evergreen forest, tropics in general and coastal region, delta,
mud flats and estuaries.
It is low in small isolated island.
• Very few species are present.
• Invasive alien species can easily dominate the entire region
as they not a part of food chain.
Why Biodiversity is high in tropics?
• It has good conditions that is heat and humidity which supports
plant growth and hence animal diversity. On other hand in
colder regions only few plants species Pine, Fir, Spruce, Larch,
Oaks can survive.
• Higher latitudes have undergone the frequent climate changes
through alternate cold glacial periods and warn interglacial
periods and therefore biodiversity is less because ecological
succession has not occurred in slow and steady manner. On
other hand the tropics has seen the same climatic conditions
giving rise to the climax community which is well adapted.
• Biodiversity is high in south facing ranges of east- west
mountains in the northern hemisphere. Ex southern slope of
Himalayas.
• In the high mountains especially in the tropic’s biodiversity

changes with altitude or hight, But it is very high near the foot
hills because they receive more rainfall.
III. Ecosystem diversity- Biodiversity is measured by species
richness and species evenness. Species richness is measured in
A. Alpha Biodiversity – is the measure of number of species in
a particular area or eco system.
B. Beta Biodiversity- It is a comparison of biodiversity between
the ecosystems and it expresses the change in the number
of species between the ecosystems.
C. Gama It is the measurement of overall diversity within a
region or an ecosystem.
# Species Evenness (L-13)
It measures the proportion of a species at a given site Less species
evenness indicate that few species will dominate the ecosystem at
the cost of other species and hence it is not considered as a good
criteria.
Importance of Biodiversity
1. Biopiracy
2. Bio-Remediation
3. Bio-Accumulation
4. Bio-Dilution
5. Bio-Mining/Bio-Prospecting
Services of Biodiversity
1. Ecosystem services Ex contribute to climate stability
2. Nitrogen and carbon Fixation or removal of pollutants from
atmosphere.
3. Nutrient recycle.
4. Pollution breakdown and absorption. (Bio-Remediation).
5. Provisioning services it gives us food, medicine, jobs etc.
6. Regulating services i.e cleaning the air controlling draughts and
flood.
7. Cultural services that is sacred grooves (it is an in-situ method of

conservation in local area associated with the local god, which do
not have status of legally protected areas network).
# Bio-Informatics- is a field of science in which biodiversity
information technology is merged into a single discipline so that
new biological insight can be gained. The basic use of bio-
informatics is
a. Security application.
b. Understanding the genetic makeup of individuals for better
disease targeting.
c. To develop tailored medicine.
Human Genome project is the best example for understanding the
genes of all human beings. INDIGEN is the Indian genome project
which is done by CSIR, to map the genes of Indians so that we can
understand
a. Decode the Indian genes.
b. Develop coast effective and efficient diagnosis of verity of
diseases including cancer.
c. Develop the solution for rare genetic diseases.
The INDIGEN project which was stated in 2019, Is implemented by
CSIR’s → IGBI (Institute of Genomics and Integrated Biology, New
Delhi ) and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad.
DELCON is department of biotechnology e library consortium so
that bio technology can be used for faster and efficient information
research.
SPECIATION is formation of new species due to genetic changes in
an existing species they are of two types
a. Allopatric Speciation- when one species becomes two different
species because they living in the separate environment.
Allopatric Speciation is caused due to geographical barriers
and therefore in allopatric speciation there is no gene flow
between the populations. Ex Asian Elephant and African
Elephant.
b. Sympatric Speciation- Refers to formation of new species from

a common Ancaster in the same geographical area. Ex Ass and
Donkey.
Mega-Biodiverse Country
The concept was given by UNEP – World Conservation Monitoring
Centre (WCMC, chief decision-making body of UNEP), It is based
on four premises. (Not Important)
a. Biodiversity is critically important to a nation.
b. Biodiversity is not evenly distributed tropics have more
biodiversity.
c. Biodiversity is under threat.
d. With limited resources focus of conservation of biodiversity
must be on the countries rich in biodiversity.
# Rank of India in terms of Biodiversity is seventh.
a. Country must have at least 5000 of world’s plants as endemic.
b. Country must have marine ecosystem.
There are 17 Mega Biodiverse County which are:
Australia, Brazil, China. India, Indonesia. Madagascar, USA. South
Africa.
11.2 Biodiversity Hotspots
These are the areas of the world which are extremely rich in
biodiversity but also under threat. The idea was first given by Sir,
Norman Myers. These regions cover just 2.3% of total land area but
they have more than world’s plant species and more than 40% of
world’s birds and animal species.
They are identified by conservational International (NGO). Based on
two strict criteria
a. At least 1500 vascular plants as endemic.
b. The area must have 30% or less of its original natural
vegetation.
Important Biodiversity Hotspot are:
1. Melanesia
2. Japan
3. Cape floristic region (SA)
4. New Caledonia
5. Mediterranean (Caucuses Mountains)
6. West African Coast
7. California
8. Mountains of Central Asia.
9. India is home to four Biodiversity Hotspot they are
• Western Ghats
• Himalayas
• Indo-Burma
• Sundaland Biodiversity Hotspot includes Adman and
Nicobar Islands.
Some of the Biodiversity Hotspot have more biodiversity, cover just
1% of area of land and more threaten, these are known as hottest
Hotspot. (India’s 3 hotspot included)
Hope Spots- The ocean areas. Adman and Lakshadweep have been
declare as Hope spots by IUCN and mission blue.
Hope Spots are those areas of Ocean which requires special
protection because it carries significant underwater species. they
are known as Earth’s Blue Heart.
Cold Spots- Regions of low Biodiversity but under threat are called
Cold Spots.
Groundswell Report It is a report on internal Migration due to
climate change. published by World Bank Group.
In-Situ (Inside Ex-Situ ( Outside

the original Site) The original Site)
National Park Zoo
Wildlife Scantuary Botanical Garden
Biosphere Reserve Nursery
Sacred Grooves Gene Bank
Conservation Reserves Seed Bank
Community Reserve Aquariums
Gene Scantuary Gardens
11.3 How do we protect Biodiversity?

Biosphere Reserve- Programme of UNESCO, Man and Biosphere
Reserve programme started in 1971. → India joined in 1986.
It is a intergovernmental scientific programme that’s aims to
establish a basis of improvement of relationship between people
and environment. Biosphere reserve are nominated by National
Government Ex. Govt. of India under Wild Life Protection Act,1972.
(L-14)
Biosphere Reserves have an international status because they are
connected under the world network of biosphere reserves,
Who declare the Biosphere Reserve- National Component →

Central Government under WPA, 1992 . Than it is nominated by
UNESCO. 11/18 have been nominated. Biosphere reserve are
stablished for the purpose of conservation, Research and
development and Logistic Support i.e. it is a kind of protected area
network in which focus on conservation, Research and development
and information sharing.
It is divided into three areas.

Core Area- it is a strictly protected zone for conservation of the
entire ecosystem. It should be kept absolutely undisturbed and free
from all human activity. Research and development can be allowed
only by the concern authority.
Buffer Zone- It consist of areas surroundings the core zone which
is allowed for scientific research training and education. Human
activities are naturally present in biosphere reserve are allowed in
the buffer zone. Limited tourism and recreational activities are
allowed.
Transition zone- This is zone of cooperation which is manage in
harmony with local people, tourist and is used for settlement
(hotels), Intensive recreation and tourism agriculture and other

economic activities.
Important Biosphere Reserve in India. (__ recognise by
UNESCO).
a. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve- Western Ghat. Rajiv Gandhi National
park, Bandipur, Waynard, Nilambur, Silent Valley NP,
Rangaswami NP. This reserve is home of endemic species such
as Nilgiri Tahar (Mukurti NP), Lion Tail Macau, Malabar Civet,
Nilgiri Leaf Monkey, Malabar Giant Squirrel. Other important
species are Great Hornbill. Grey Languor, It is also home to the
tribes that is Tooas, Irula and Kurumba tribes. All this tribes have
Dravidian Language.
b. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve- It includes the part of India
and Sri Lanka it is famous for corals, Leather Back Turtle and
Dugong. Dugong is a marine mammal which have small eyes so
that it is well adjusted to turbid condition (muddy water). In india it
is found in Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar and Adman and Nicobar.
It is protected under schedule 1 of WPA.
c. Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve- Ramsar site + World Heritage
Site + Biosphere Reserve.
Rampal Coal Power Station (Bangladesh) is becoming threat to
Sundarbans region.
Ghora Mora Island is sinking due to rise in the sea level. It is sink
mostly to the half of its size.
Ganga Sagar Island or Sagar Island
d. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve- It is a world heritage site drain by
Rishi Ganga River the core area of this biosphere reserve is
famous for Valley of Flowers which lies totally in alpine zone. The
important species are Himalayan Musk Deer, Himalayan Tahar,
Goral ( is a Goat Antelope), Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black
Bear, Himalayan Black Bear.
e. Nortek Biosphere reserve- The smallest Biosphere reserve in
India. Famous for Red Panda, Hoolock Gibbon. Clouded Leopard.
f. Manas National Park- It is a World Heritage Site between India
and Bhutan and It is Famous For Assam Rabbit (Hispid Here),
Golden Languor, Pigmy Hog. Located in the Terai Grassland

region in India.
g. Simlipal (Mayurbhanj Orissa) Famous for Gaur or Indian wild
Bison, Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Pangolin.
h. Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve- Arunachal Pradesh it is
famous for Mishmi Takin it is Endemic of Mishmi hills. it is famous
for Mouling National Park and Sessa Wildlife Century.
i. Pachmari Biosphere Reserve, River Tapti, Famous for Giant
Flying Squirrel, Flying Fox.
j. Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve- Chhattisgarh, River
Son and Narmada, Famous for Saras Crane, Barasingaha, Dhole
(Wild Dog), Tiger, White Rumped Vulture.
k. Great Runn of Kutch Biosphere Reserve- Famous for Indian Wild
Ass endemic species. It is the largest Biosphere Reserve in India.
l. Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh is famous
for Pin Valley National Park, Himachal Pradesh; Kibber Wild Life
Sanctuary and Chandra taal source of river Chenab.
m. Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim. Famous for Snow
Leopard and Red panda. Kanchenjunga, Neora Valley,
Namdapha and Nanda-Devi are four protected area in India
which have succession of vegetation from Tropical to Tundra.
n. Agastya Malai Biosphere Reserve, Kerala and Tamil Nadu-
Neyyar, Peppara, Shenduruny WLS.
o. Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve- Famous for Mahatma Gandhi
Marine National Park.
p. Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve, Assam- It is famous for
White Winged Wood Duck (endemic), Wild Water Buffalo, Tiger
Capped Languor.
q. Seshachalam Hills Biosphere Reserve- Andhra Pradesh. Famous
for slander Louries and red Sandel Wood. Is a tiger reserve.
r. Panna Biosphere Reserve, River Ken, MP. Famous for Tiger,
Chital (spotted Deer), Sloth Bear endemic to Indian subcontinent
and vulnerable.
Wild Life Biosphere

National Parks
Century Reserve
National
Acts WPA, 1972 WPA, 1972 Component, WPA,
1992
Central Govt. under
State Govt. and State Govt. and
Govt. UNESCO’s MAB
Central Govt. Central Govt.
programme.
Everything is Everything Protecting the area.
prohibited, Permitted unless Where man is integral
Unless permitted prohibited. part of conservation
No Human
Limited Human
Interference -NA-
interference
allowed
Fixed by Not Fixed by

Boundary Fixed by Legislation
Legislation Legislation
Cannot be
degraded to Upgraded to NP -NA-
WLS
Protection Highest Moderate High
Size Small Medium Large
12. Convention on Biodiversity (L-15)

• Also Known as Biodiversity convention
• It is a multilateral treaty
• Opened for signature on 5th June. 1992 in Rio De Janeiro
(on Earth’s Summit)
• Entered into force in 1993
• signatories 168
• Parties 196
• It is legally binding
• Convention has 3 main goals:
a) Conservation of Biodiversity.
b) Sustainable use of component of Biodiversity.
c) Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from utilization
of Biodiversity.
1. Cartagena Protocol (2000)
• It is also known as Biosafety Protocol.
• Adopted in 2000, Came into force in 2003.
• The Biosafety protocol seeks to protect biological diversity from
the potential risks posed by living modified organism resulting
from modern biotechnology.
• Genetically Modified Organisms can be regulated under this
protocol.
• Establishes AIA (Advance Informed Agreement) so that
countries can make informed decisions before agreeing import
of such organisms.
• Also, Biosafety Clearing Houses to facilitate exchange of
information on LMO’s.
Living Modified organisms (LMO’s) or genetically modified organism
are governed under this protocol.
In the year 2010 three things happened-
Nagoya Protocol, Meeting at Nagoya, Japan
Aichi Target (2011-2020)
UN→ 2011-2020 UN decade on Biodiversity
Nagoya Protocol-
• Adopted in conference of Parties 10 (COP 10)
• It deals with the access to genetic Resources and the Fair and
Equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization to the
convention on biological diversity.
• It is a supplementary agreement to the convention on biological
diversity.
• The strategic plan consists of 20 new biodiversity targets for
2020, termed the ‘Aichi Biodiversity Targets’.
Fair and equitable sharing of benefits introduced in 2010,
Establishes legal framework for implementation of goal three of UN-
CBD.
Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing.
GENETIC RESOUCES
PROVIDER PRIOR INFORMED CONSENT(PIC) USER

MUTUALLY AGREED TERMS (MAT)
BENEFITS
• Prior informed Consent (PIC)- Required before access to

anything that contains DNA (Living or Dead)
• Mutual Agreed Terms (MAT)- Must be established (if required),
including terms for sharing benefits.
Aichi Biodiversity Targets
• Identify causes for loss on Biodiversity.
• Reduce direct pressure and sustainable use of resource.
• Improvement in the status of Biodiversity.
• Benefit for all.
• Participation and capacity building.
Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2010-2020

• Adopted at COP 10.
• Vision for “Living in harmony with nature”.
By 2050, Biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely
used and delivering benefits essential for all people.
• 5 strategic Goals and 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets for 2020.
A. Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by
maintaining biodiversity across government and society.
B. Reducing the direct pressures on biodiversity by
safeguarding ecosystems.
C. Improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding
ecosystems, species and genetic diversity.
D. Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and
ecosystem services
E. Enhance implementation through participatory planning.
Knowledge management and capacity building.
2. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of

Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) UN-CITES
• It is also known as Washington Convention
• It is a multilateral Treaty
• Participation is voluntary
• It is legally binding on the Parties, but it does not take the place
of national laws.
• Opened for sign: 1973
• Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild
animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species
in the wild, and it accords varying degrees of protection to more
than 35,000 species of animals and plants.
It classifies plants and animals according to three categories, or
appendices, based on how threatened:
1. Appendix I: It lists species that are in danger of extinction. It
prohibits commercial trade of these plants and animals except in
extraordinary situations for scientific or educational reasons.
2. Appendix II: They are those that are not threatened with
extinction but that might suffer a serious decline in number if trade
is not restricted. Their trade is regulated by permit.
3. Appendix III: They are protected in at least one country that is a
CITES member states and that has petitioned others for help in
controlling international trade in that species.
3. World Heritage Sites
By UNESCO, based on certain criteria which are for natural as well
as man made world heritage sites. Important world heritage sites in
India are Sundarbans, Great Himalayan National parks, Nanda Devi,
Manas, Kaziranga . Keoladeo Ghana National Park and Western
Ghats.
The total numbers of world heritage sites in India are 40 out of
which Kanchenjunga is a mixed cultural and natural world heritage
sites.
4. International treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for food and

agriculture.
This treaty is adopted in 2001, It is treaty of UN-FAO (food and
agriculture)
Important Provision-
a) It talks about multilateral systems which places 64 most important
crops in easily available genetic resources that is freely available
to all users.
b) Recognises farmers right and there fore protecting the traditional
knowledge present along with the farmers.
c) It acknowledges sustainable use of four main food crop of world
(Rice, Wheat, Maize, Potato) But it also recognises other local
crop such as millets. Millets are the most important crop of poor
regions which are important for nutritional security as well as for
increasing the farmers income in dry land regions of India. And
there for on the recommendation of Government of India 2023
will be declared as year of Millets by UN-FAO.
d) The treaty talks about access and benefit sharing which is the
farmers right.
5. Ramsar Convention
6. UN-CLOS → Convention on the Law of the Sea
First proposal for such treaty came in 1973, but this treaty came to
force from 1982 after the third meeting of UN-CLOS. It is a legally
binding treaty which came into force completely from 1994. It
divides the ocean areas into
Inland Sea- It refers to all waters and waterways on the landward

side of the base line. There is no interference of foreign country.
Territorial Sea- 0-12nm country is free to set laws, regulate use
and resources, foreign vessels do not have all right except right of
innocent passage. Ex submarine of other country has to navigate on

the surface.
Contagious Zone- In this country has right to enforce law in these
four areas- Pollution, Taxation, Customs, Immigration.
Exclusive Economic Zone- Refers to area from Territorial Sea to
200nm. Where country has sole exploitation right on all natural
resources such as oils, Fishes poly metallic nodules. In this the
foreign vessels have freedom of navigation, over flight and allowed
are allowed lay submarine pipe and cables.
High Sea- Every country has equal rights.
7. Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme-
8. UN Convention to Combat Desertification
9.International convention to control and management ship
ballast water and sediments- also called convention on ballast
water. When the ship unloads on port it is hull must be filled with
water so that maintains the stability but in this process numerous
invasive species can make their way to native country transferring
harmful organic water and pathogens and therefore under this
treaty the ships must treat the ballast water before releasing into the
foreign water.
Non-Governmental Organisation in Biodiversity Protection-
1. IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature
HQ- Gland, Switzerland, Mission (work)
1) Research
2) Reports
3) Field Projects
4) Advising Government, Corporates to conserve Biodiversity.
it is a neutral forum of government NGO’s, scientists and local
community to find practical solution for Biodiversity Conservation.
IUCN classifies the species in 9 categories out of which red list is of
three categories based on 5 criteria.
• Rate of decline.
• Population Size.
• Geographic Distribution.
• Degree of Population.
• Fragmentation or distribution fragmentation.
Extinct
Critically
Extinct in Wild
Endangered
IUCN LIST
Evaluated Threatened Endangered
Not Evaluated Near Threatened Vulnerable
Least Concern
2. Kyoto Protocol (L-16)

International environment treaty that came into existence under UN.
UNFCCC (Framework convention on climate change) negotiated at
the Earth Summit 1992, New York. The aim to set binding limits on
greenhouse gases. but it is not legally binding.
3. Rio Earth Summit
Also known as UNCED (conference on environment and development)
It resulted into following document
• Rio declaration on environment and development
• Agenda 21- It is a non-binding action plan with regard to
sustainable development for 21st century.
• Forest Principles- They are informal name given to non-legally
binding statement on conservation and sustainable development
of forestry.
• Legally Binding Agreement (UN-CBD, UN-FCCC. UN-CCD)
• Green cross international which is a not profit organisation
founded by Mikhail Gorbachev to built upon work started by Rio
Earth Summit was founded.
1972
• Stockholm Decleration → UNEP
1982
• It was ar tume of cold war ( Ronald Regan).
1992
• Rio Eart Summit (UNCED).
2002
• World Summit on sustainable development,

Johannesberg,SA (WSSD)
• It is known as Rio + 10
• Major Outcome Johannesberg Decleration for the
sustainable development. It is a generous statement
which talks about threats post to the world and
therefore importance of sustainable development.
2012
• Rio + 20 → UNCSD, Rio

• The major outcome - how to build green economy.
• Green economy is defined as economies aims at
making issues of reduing environmental risk and
ecological scarcity aims at sustainable development
without degrading the environment
• Green Accounting is type of accounting that attempts to

include environmental costs into normal accounting of
business where pollution is considered as negative
externality
• Non-Binding document was released Tittle – THE FUTURE
WE WANT.
• Sustainable development goals which replace the
millennium development goals.
2018
• Digital Earth Summit which took place in Africa in

Morocco
• This Summit was organised by international society for
digital earth which a NGO and non profit organisation.
• For promoting acadmic exchange, science and
technology Innovation and education for achieving the
Digital Earth
UN-FCCC
Intergovernmental treaty outcome of Rio Earth Summit entered into
force in 1994. COP is the highest decision-making body.
COP is the collection of governments scientists and NGO is the
highest decision-making body.
# OECD- Organisation for economic cooperation and development.
they are high income economies with high human development
index and regarded as developed countries. They comprised of
62.2% of global nominal GDP and 42% of global GDP.
Annexe I Non-Annexe I
Annexure I Developing Countries.
Industrialised Nations (OECD) +
Economies in transition were
the part of Russian federation +
Baltic nations (Estonia, Latvia
and Lithuania) + several East
European countries + Central
East Asian country.
Annexe II
These are the members of
Annexure I but only OECD
countries.
Kyoto protocol is binding on annexe I nation but it is not binding on

non-annexe nation. Clean development mechanism (CDM) is a
emission development project that allows a country with legally
binding commitment to implement emission reduction projects in
developing countries. Certified emission reductions are the sellable
carbon credits between non-annexe I and annexe II countries. This
carbon credit is traded on commodity exchanges. Ex- Multi
Commodity Exchange, (MCX)
Joint implementation allows the countries with an emission
reduction and commitment to earn credit by implementing a project
jointly in another annexe I nation. But such carbon ratings are
known as emission reduction units.
As Kyoto 2 failed at Doha and therefor 196 countries came together
at Paris Agreement 2015.
Paris Agreement 2015
Aim of Paris Agreement
1. To Keep global temperature well below 2°c compared to
preindustrial Level and to pursue efforts to limit this rise of
temperature to even below 1.5°c.
2. To increase the ability of the countries to deal with the climate
change
3. To meet these goals, make technology and finance available to

developing nations and engage in capacity building and
Mitigation.
4. Each country will setup its own targets which are known as
intended nationally determined contribution.
5. ISA was launched, International Solar Alliance.
6. Paris agreement is not Binding but NDC’s ’s is binding. India
has fulfilled 2 out of 3 Nationally determined contributions
which are
• Increasing the carbon stock and creation additional carbon
sink from 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2. (Afforestation)
• To reduce the emission intensity of GDP by 33% - 35% of
2005 level.
• To achieve 40% of electric power install capacity from non-
fossil fuel sources by 2030.
Programmes of IUCN in India.
Blue economy and Blue Bonds, Green Bonds,
Bonn COP 23, 2017 HQ UNFCCC
Powering past coal alliance was launched by UK and Canada This
alliance tries to phase out the coal by OECD and European union by
2030 and rest of the world by 2050.
In the Powering past coal alliance has not committed any phase out
date.
Gender action plan was launched that the role of women in climate
change was highlighted, Gender action plan was launched.
Local communities and indigenous people’s platform were launched
This cop acknowledge the role of tribals for the first time this
platform aims to support the exchange of information sharing,
experience sharing and the best practices adapted by tribals in
mitigating the impact of climate change.
Ocean pathway partnership – outcome of COP 23, will bring
together partner countries in protecting the costal eco system
maintaining ocean health increasing mobilisation of resources for
conservation and enhancement of resilience of oceans by 2020.
Talanoa Dialogue reflective inclusive participatory and transparent

dialogue to help countries implement their NDC’s i.e. what is the
bond.

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Subhra Ranjan Video Lectures

Environment and Ecology 1

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Environment and Ecology 2

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Saprotrophs (Detritivores and Decomposers)

Environment and Ecology 3

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1. Ecosystem and Ecology

Environment and Ecology 4

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b) Eastern Himalayas (Indo-Burma biodiversity Hotspot) - because it

Dry deposition Wet deposition

Environment and Ecology 6

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o Frogs- Indicates the health of wetland ecosystem and forest

Bees help in the cross pollination which leads to the removal of

Environment and Ecology 7

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vultures have enzyme in intestine which kills the virus. Decrease in

Keystone Species are less in number but have disproportionally

1.3 Population Pyramid

Environment and Ecology 8

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(i) (ii) (iii)

Environment and Ecology 9

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3.1 Biotic Interaction

b) Competition (o)(o)- it is a enter species interaction in which both

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the inferior species. As per another principle Mac Arther there is

c) Parasitism – they are host specific

d) Amensalism (-)(o)- it is an interaction in which one is harmed

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provide carbohydrates to microorganism. Ex Rhizobium is a

4. Functions of Ecosystem (L-3)

Energy flow Nutrient cycle Ecological succession

Natural Tropical Region At the ground due to

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: Adaption in Polar regions

2. Aquatic Ecosystem (Oxygen)

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Human Impact Pollution + Eutrophication

Pollution Causing dead zones in oceans (biological deserts)

Sunlight does not penetrate causes no photosynthesis.

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Humidity → Limiting factor Desert

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II. Natural Forest Fires – are necessary condition for grasslands to

Saprotrophic food chain- origination from dead and decompose

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# 10% rule – only 10% of energy is transferred from lower to higher

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HT-BT herbicide tolerant BT cotton → Soil Bacteria (Bacillus

Bio-Accumulation, Bio-Concentration, Bio-Magnification

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II. Pesticide used on crops.

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4.2 Food Chain

Terrestrial Food Chain Aquatic Food Chain

Grazing Food Chain

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