PLUTUS IAS

Biodiversity .

● Biodiversity is a combination of two words, Bio (life) and diversity (variety).

● Biodiversity is formally defined by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as: “the
variability among living organisms from all sources including, among others, terrestrial,
marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are
part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems”.

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BIODIVERSITY OF INDIA .
● With only 2.4% of the world’s land area, its share of the global species diversity is an
impressive 8.1 per cent
● This includes 45,500 recorded species of plants and 91,000 recorded species of animals.
● There is diversity of ecological habitats like forests, grassland, wetlands, coastal and
marine ecosystems, and desert ecosystems.
● India is considered one of the world’s 17 “megadiverse” countries in terms of
biodiversity.
● India has four global biodiversity hotspots (Eastern Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Western
Ghats and Sri Lanka, and Sundaland).
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MEASUREMENT OF BIODIVERSITY .
● Species richness: It is the number of different species represented in an ecological
community, landscape or region.
● Species evenness : Evenness is a measure of the relative abundance of the different
species making up the richness of an area.

Measurement of Biodiversity
● Alpha diversity: It refers to diversity in a particular ecosystem and is expressed in
number of species/richness.
● Beta diversity: It is a comparison of diversity between ecosystems usually measured as
the change in the amount of species between ecosystems (in richness only).
● Gamma diversity: It is measurement of overall diversity for different ecosystems in a
region (both richness and abundance).

LEVELS OF BIODIVERSITY .
Biodiversity can be discussed at three levels:

● Genetic diversity
● Species diversity
● Ecosystem diversity

GENETIC DIVERSITY .
● Genetic biodiversity refers to the variation of genes within species.
● Groups of individual organisms having certain similarities in their physical characteristics
are called species.

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 ● Human beings genetically belong to the homo-sapiens group and also differ in their
characteristics such as height, colour, physical appearance, etc., considerably. This is due
to genetic diversity.
● Genetic diversity is essential for a healthy breeding population of species.
● Genetic diversity in species responsible for evolution of species.

SPECIES DIVERSITY .
● This refers to the variety of species.
● It relates to the number of species in a defined area.
● The diversity of species can be measured through its richness, abundance and types.
Some areas are richer in species than others. Areas rich in species diversity are called
hotspots of diversity.
● Eg Rainforest (Terrestrial) < Coral reefs(Marine) with respect to species diversity
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ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY .
The broad differences between ecosystem types and the diversity of habitats and ecological
processes occurring within each ecosystem type constitute the ecosystem diversity. The
boundaries of communities (associations of species) and ecosystems are not very rigidly
defined. Thus, the demarcation of ecosystem boundaries is difficult and complex.

Importance of Biodiversity .

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Threats to Biodiversity .
Natural Threats
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1. Environmental risk - Natural change in climate pattern like from ice age to date.
2. Natural Catastrophe like volcanism floods droughts cyclones
3. Population risk like susceptibility to infection, diseases and change in birth and death
rate due to smaller ovulation period etc.
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Anthropogenic Threats
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1. Habitat loss and fragmentation: The habitat loss and fragmentation have been through
changes of land use, in particular, the conversion of natural ecosystems to cropland,
development of infrastructure projects like rails and roadways, increasing urbanisation and
mining activities.As per the Living Planet report, there has been about a 30% decline in

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wetlands in the last 40 years. Wetlands have been primarily reclaimed for agriculture and
urbanization. Also, about 50% of the tropical and subtropical forests and 45% of the temperate
grasslands have been converted for human use.
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2. Introduction of alien species: Plants, animals and microorganisms transported deliberately or
unintentionally from an outside geographical region can cause great damage to native species
by competing with them for food and shelter, spreading diseases unknown to them, causing
genetic changes through the process of interbreeding with native species, and disrupting
various aspects of their food chains and the physical environment. For example, in India Water
hyacinth was introduced by the British for beautification. But over time, it has become an
invasive species, clogging rivers, lakes and other water bodies, thus not allowing any aquatic life
to grow and survive.

3. Global climate change: Climate change is projected to become a progressively more

significant threat to biodiversity in the coming decades. Already, changes in the flowering and
migration patterns as well as in the distribution of various species have been observed
throughout the world. These changes have altered food chains and created mismatches within
ecosystems where different species have evolved synchronized

4. Environmental pollution: The accumulation of Pollution such phosphorus and nitrogen

largely from excess fertilizers running off farmland, harmful chemicals firm urban and suburban
runoff, industrial effluents etc. which are discharged into the natural water bodies. For example,
oil spill off the port of Ennore in Chennai in 2017. Similarly, plastic pollution causes the death of
animals. Also, air pollution from industries and vehicles has resulted in the death of many bird
species in urban areas.

5. Hunting and Poaching : Over-hunting or poaching of species, overfishing and overharvesting

of plant products can quickly lead to a decline in biodiversity. Changing consumption patterns of
humans is often cited as the key reason for this unsustainable exploitation of natural resources.
Many species which got extinct in the past 5 centuries, like Steller’s sea cow, passenger pigeon,
were subject to over-exploitation by humans.

6. Genetic pollution : is a term for uncontrolled gene flow into wild populations. It is defined as
"the dispersal of contaminated altered genes from genetically engineered organisms to natural
organisms, esp. by cross-pollination", but has come to be used in some broader ways. It is
related to the population genetics concept of gene flow, and genetic rescue, which is genetic
material intentionally introduced to increase the fitness of a population. It is called genetic
pollution when it negatively impacts the fitness of a population, such as through outbreeding
depression and the introduction of unwanted phenotypes which can lead to extinction.

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Eg. Eg.

Sacred Curves Botanical Gardens (Plants)

National Parks Zoo (Animals)

Wildlife Sanctuaries Seed Banks(by conserving the seeds of

species)

Biosphere Reserves CryoPreservation (by dipping plant/animal

in cold N2 (liquid N2) and kept in cold area
and than it will be preserved for years)

Protected Areas .
● In simplest terms, Protected Areas are regions or zones of land or sea which are given
certain levels of protection for conservation of biodiversity and socio-environmental
values. In these areas, human intervention and exploitation of resources are limited.

● Protected Areas are the principal mechanism of conservation of biodiversity on Earth

and serve as the most important units for in-situ biodiversity conservation.

● In India, there are five major categories of Protected areas. These protected areas are
constituted under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

● The five categories of protected areas are:

o Wildlife Sanctuaries

o National Parks

o Community Reserves

o Conservation Reserves

o Tiger Reserve

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Eco-Sensitive Zone defined under Environment Protection Act , 1986

● Forests and wildlife are included in the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution.
Therefore, the Union government makes policies and plans for Wildlife Conservation.
On the other hand, the State Forest Departments are the ones implanting those national
policies and plans at the state level.

● National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) puts forward a policy framework for wildlife
conservation in India. The Board was constituted under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
It is chaired by the Prime Minister.

o National Board for Wildlife:

○ It is a “Statutory Organization” constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

○ Its role is “advisory” in nature and advises the Central Government on framing
policies and measures for the conservation of wildlife in the country.

○ The primary function of the Board is to promote the conservation and

development of wildlife and forests.

○ It has the power to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and
around national parks and sanctuaries.

○ No alternation of boundaries in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries can be done

without the approval of the NBWL.

○ Composition: The NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister. It has 47 members

including the Prime Minister. Among these, 19 members are ex-officio members.
Other members include three Members of Parliament (two from Lok Sabha and one
from Rajya Sabha), five NGOs, and 10 eminent ecologists, conservationists, and
environmentalists.

○ National Board for Wildlife may make recommendations on the setting up of and
management of national parks, sanctuaries, and other protected areas and on
matters relating to restriction of activities in those areas.

○ The State Board for Wildlife shall advise the State government on the selection and
management of areas to be declared as protected areas.

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Tiger Reserves 55

Biosphere Reserve 18
Both central and State government can declare:

● National Park
● Wildlife Sanctuary
● Biosphere Reserve
● Tiger Reserve declared only by NTCA (under the Central government) , the state
government can send the recommendations.
● Eco-Sensitive zones only declared by central government

For a tiger reserve, first it should be a national park or wildlife sanctuary.

Difference of Wildlife Sanctuary and National Parks

Wildlife Sanctuary National Park

No Clear boundary demarcation
Trespassing possible here
The main aim is to protect a particular flora
or fauna
Relatively relaxed rules and also
accommodates tribal groups
A sanctuary can be upgraded to a national
park.
India has 567 wildlife sanctuaries
Clear boundary demarcation
Trespassing not allowed
Can include flora, fauna or any other
objects of historical/geographic significance
Strict rules applies here with least human
interference
A national park cannot be downgraded to a
sanctuary.
India has 106 national parks

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Biosphere Reserve .
● Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an international designation by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for representative parts of
natural and cultural landscapes extending over large areas of terrestrial or
coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination of both.

● Biosphere Reserves tries to balance economic and social development and

maintenance of associated cultural values along with the preservation of nature.

● Biosphere Reserves are thus special environments for both people and nature and are
living examples of how human beings and nature can co-exist while respecting each
other’s needs.

What are the Criteria for Designation of Biosphere Reserve?

● A site must contain a protected and minimally disturbed core area of value of nature
conservation.

● The core area must be a bio-geographical unit and should be large enough to sustain a
viable populations representing all trophic levels.

● The involvement of local communities and use of their knowledge in biodiversity

preservation.

● Area's potential for preservation of traditional tribal or rural modes of living for
harmonious use of the environment.

What are the Three Main Zones of Biosphere Reserve?

● Core Areas:

o It is the most protected area of a biosphere reserve. It may contain endemic

plants and animals.

o They conserve the wild relatives of economic species and also represent
important genetic reservoirs having exceptional scientific interest.

o A core zone is a protected region, like a National Park or

Sanctuary/protected/regulated mostly under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
It is kept free from human interference.

● Buffer Zone:

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 o The buffer zone surrounds the core zone, and its activities are managed in this
area in ways that help in the protection of the core zone in its natural condition.

o It includes restoration, limited tourism, fishing, grazing, etc., which are permitted
to reduce its effect on the core zone.

o Research and educational activities are to be encouraged.

● Transition Zone:

o It is the outermost part of the biosphere reserve. It is the zone of cooperation

where human ventures and conservation are done in harmony.

o It includes settlements, croplands, managed forests and areas for intensive

recreation and other economic uses characteristics of the region.

What are the Functions of Biosphere Reserve?

● Conservation:

○ Managing Biosphere Reserve’s genetic resources, endemic species, ecosystems,

and landscapes.

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 ○ It may prevent man-animal conflict eg., death of tiger Avni who was shot dead
when she turned man-eater

○ Along with the wildlife, culture and customs of tribals are also protected

● Development:

○ Promoting economic and human growth that is sustainable on a sociocultural and

ecological level. It seeks to strengthen the three pillars of sustainable
development: social, economic and protection of the environment.

● Logistic support:

○ Promoting research activities, environmental education, training and monitoring

in the context of local, national and international conservation and sustainable
development.

How many Biosphere Reserves are in India?

● There are 18 biosphere reserves in India:

○ Cold Desert, Himachal Pradesh

○ Nanda Devi, Uttrakhand

○ Khangchendzonga, Sikkim

○ Dehang-Debang, Arunachal Pradesh

○ Manas, Assam

○ Dibru-Saikhowa, Assam

○ Nokrek, Meghalaya

○ Panna, Madhya Pradesh

○ Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh

○ Achanakmar-Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh

○ Kachchh, Gujarat (Largest Area)

○ Similipal, Odisha

○ Sundarban, West Bengal

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 ○ Seshachalam, Andhra Pradesh

○ Agasthyamala, Karnataka-Tamil Nadu-Kerala

○ Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu-Kerala (First to be Included)

○ Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu

○ Great Nicobar, Andaman & Nicobar Island

What is the International Status of Biosphere Reserve?

● UNESCO has introduced the designation ‘Biosphere Reserve’ for natural areas to
minimize conflict between development and conservation.

● Biosphere Reserves are nominated by national government which meets a minimal

set of criteria under the Man and Biosphere Reserve Program of UNESCO.

● There are currently 738 biosphere reserves in 134 countries, including 22

transboundary sites.

● There are total 12 biosphere reserves of India which have been recognized
internationally under Man and Biosphere Reserve program:

o Nilgiri (First to be included)

o Gulf of Mannar

o Sunderban

o Nanda Devi

o Nokrek

o Pachmarhi

o Similipal

o Achanakmar - Amarkantak

o Great Nicobar

o Agasthyamala

o Khangchendzonga (Added under Man and Biosphere Reserve Program in 2018)

o Panna, Madhya Pradesh (The latest included)

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​

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