Critical Geographical features

Topic:Their Location and Changes in flora and fauna and the effects of such
changes

Wetlands: According to Ramsar convention Wetland is a place where the land is covered by
water, either salt, fresh or somewhere in between.Soil is saturated with water temporarily
or partially(HYDRIC SOILS)
1. Different Types: Coastal Wetlands, Shallow lakes and ponds, Bogs, Marshes and
swamps Hydrophytes grow here, they occupy 3% of Indian land mass
2. Warm+water=high productive ecosystem
3. According to WWF half of world wetlands have disappeared since 1990, 45 million
tonnes of carbon is stored
4. Global wetland outlook says that 40% decline in last 40 years
5. Benefits: Livelihood, large number of ecosystem services, high productivity,
biodiversity, more pathways for nutrient recycling, climate mitigation as it acts as
carbon sink, groundwater replenishment , recreational and tourism BIO FILTERS,
ecologically subsidizing near by areas, flood control, ground water recharge,
preserving plant varieties, supporting migratory birds and protecting coastlines,
Disaster risk reduction
6. Phytoremediation: Absorb heavy metal pollutants Duck weed, water fern
7. Threats: Dams and dikes, Industrial, agricultural sewage discharge, encroachment
for commercial purpose, over fishing, siltation, over exploitation
8. Examples: Ithai Dam rising water level in Lothak Lake, Vembanand Lake
encroachment Demolitions,
9. Govt actions: Wetland(conservation &management) rules 2017: It decentralize
wetland conservation and management by giving states power to not only identify
but also watch
10. Wise use of wetlands means maintenance of their ecological character, achieved
through implementation of ecosystem approach within the context of sustainable
development
11. National wetland conservation program: 115 wetlands prepare inventory, policy
guidelines, under take intensive conservation measures
12. International: Ramsar convention(identify, wise use, transboundary) and Montreux
record(ecological character changing due to human interference)
13. Inland water transport on Lohtak

Mangroves are tress or large shrubs which are salt tolerant and grow in intertidal zones in
tropical and subtropical coasts, HALOPHYTE three species like Sundari, Nipa, Screw pine,
Rhizophora
 Adaptation through Vivipary, Aerial roots: Stilt and pneumatophores
0.14% of Indias geography
Half of world mangrove coverage has already been cleared (32 million hectares)
Uses: root system attract fish, nurseries, protect coast from erosion potentials of
tides, waves storm surges, stables coast line, minor forest produce like honey
Case Study: 2004 Tsunami Pichavaram and Mutupet less impacted,
Case Study:Apiculture framing by honey collectors it reduces stress on ecosystem
and human animal conflict
Jadavpur University studies states that Sundarbans are deprived of sediments due
to dams, this will change composition of tree to more saline tolerant varieties and
they support less diversity.
Indiscriminate conversion into aquaculture for prawn farming
High population density in bengal region
Insect pests damaging mangrove
Climate change sea level rise
MEASURES NEEDED
CRZ
Silviculture through nursery banks
Participation of local community
Make Atlas of all the biodiversity in the region

Corals reefs are marine organism which are formed by accumulation of skeletal remains
of marine organism called coral polyps[ they live in symbiotic relationship with zooxantalle
algae.

World wide 500 million people depend on them for livelihood (NOAA)
$1 billion tourism revenue to Australia, source of medicinal products for cancer and
HIV drugs
1% of sea floor yet 25% of species
Bioshields and Eco walls against disasters and offer shoreline protection
Highest species richness across ecosystem
Foundation species, indicator species very sensitive to environment to 25-27, 33
salinity
STATUS by GCRMN/ Clive Wilkinson report 2008 20% lost since 1950, 15% are in
critical state, 20% threatened, 45% healthy
Threats: destructive fishing practices, unsustainable tourism(infra), pollution
resulting in algae, coral mining, Climate change, CLORAL BLEACHING, Diseases
International measures: OKINAWA Declaration on conservation and restoration of
endangered corals for protecting Marine heritage
IPCC observation on corals
Cold War corals vs Warm water corals(global coral reef monitoring
network(IUCN+UNEP)
Corals are jewels of global marine heritage
Great barrier reef, Hawaiian islands, Aldabra islands suffered largest bleaching in
recent past
Islands
Sea level rise-Climate refugees-Salt water intrusion
Distinct island effect on species Eg: no large species, very highly endemic species
Invasive species like elephant, bull frog
Integrated coastal management plan for combination of adaptation and mitigation
Unsustainable tourism beyond carrying capacity-drinking water crisis in Maldives
Aboriginal tribals in Andaman& Nicobar islands
Coastal erosion Eg: Parali 1 in Lakshadweep
Blue flag certification for beaches
Proposed National coastal mission
HinduKush-Himalayas Region(Third pole)
IMPORTANCE
Data: Himalayan Glaciers are shrinking by 0.5% per year and by 2100 45% will be
shrinking IPCC
Highest peaks
Monsoon, 10 major rivers, Glaciers as water stock
Global biodiversity hotspots
Socio economic and cultural diversity and important passes
Energy, sediments
Threats: Jhum cultivation
Climate change as high as 3-4c
Infrastructure projects(BRI)

Rain forests
Importance
1. Support lot of biodiversity
2. Carbon sink-lungs of earth
3. Tribal population
4. Ecosystem services
Threats
1. Deforestation due to various geogenic and anthropogenic reasons
2. Forest fires
3. Invasive species
Need

Cryosphere
IPCC special report on the ocean and Cryosphere in a changing climate
Increase in ocean temperature, rise of sea level(3.6mm per year), marine heat waves,
ocean acidification
Rise of temperature between 3-5 in polar regions
Negative impact on food security, water quality, health, livelihood, indigenous
communities