Biological diversity Definition:

Biological diversity or biodiversity is that

part of nature which includes the differences
in genes among the individuals of a species,
the variety and richness of all the plant and
animal species at different scales in space,
locally, in a region, in the country and the
world, and various types of ecosystems, both
terrestrial and aquatic, within a defined area .
THE WORD BIODIVERSITY MEANS
 The word BIODIVERSITY originates from the
 Greek word BIO = LIFE
 Latin word DIVERSITES = VARIETY or DIFFERENCE.
 The whole word BIO DIVERSITY generally therefore means
VARIETY OF LIFE.
 Types of Biodiversity

• Genetic Diversity: genetic variability or diversity within a

species

• Species Diversity: diversity between different species

• Ecosystem Diversity: diversity between different region

 GENETIC DIVERSITY
 Genetic diversity is the amount of variation in genetic material (DNA) within a
species or within a population. The magnitude of variation in genes of a species
increases with increase in size and environmental parameters of the habitat

 Genetic diversity has the following importance:

i. It helps in speciation or evolution of new species

ii. It is useful in adaptation to changes in environmental
conditions
iii. It is important for agricultural productivity and development
 SPECIES DIVERSITY

 It describes the variety in the number and abundance

of the species within a region
 To accurately determine species diversity, both the
species richness, which is the number of different
species, and the relative abundance, which is the
number of individuals within each species, must be
considered
 The species richness depends largely on climatic
conditions.
 When a species is confined entirely to a particular
area, it is termed as endemic species 
 ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY
 It describes the assemblage and Interaction of spices living together and the
physical environment of a given area

 It relates varieties of habitats, biotic communities ecological processes in

biosphere. It also tells about the diversity within the ecosystem.

 For example, the landscapes like grass lands, deserts, mountains etc. show
ecosystem diversity

 The ecosystem diversity is due to diversity of niches, trophic levels and

ecological processes like nutrient cycling, food webs, energy flow, role of
dominant species and various related biotic interactions.

 Such type of diversity can generate more productive and stable ecosystems
or communities capable of tolerating various types of stresses e.g. drought,
flood etc.
Why is biodiversity important?
Everything that lives in an ecosystem is part of the web of life, including
humans. Each species of vegetation and each creature has a place on the
earth and plays a vital role in the circle of life. Plant, animal, and insect
species interact and depend upon one another for what each offers, such
as food, shelter, oxygen, and soil enrichment.

Maintaining a wide diversity of species in each ecosystem is necessary to

preserve the web of life that sustains all living things. In his 1992 best-
seller, "The Diversity of Life," famed Harvard University biologist
Edward O. Wilson -- known as the "father of biodiversity," -- said, "It is
reckless to suppose that biodiversity can be diminished indefinitely
without threatening humanity itself."
 IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY
At least 40% of the world's economy and 80% of the
needs of the poor are derived from biological resources.
In addition, the richer the diversity of life, the greater
the opportunity for medical discoveries, economic
development, and adaptive responses to such new
challenges as climate change. 
 IMPORTANT ROLE OF BIODIVERSITY
 Ecological Role: All species provide at least one function in an
ecosystem. Each function is an integral part of regulating the species
balance, species diversity and species health: all aspects which are intrinsic
for the ecosystem as a whole to survive and prosper
 Economic Role: Biodiversity provides high variety of food: crops,
livestock, forestry, and fish are important food source of human species.
Wild species and varieties can supply genes for improving domesticated
species by improving their yield, disease resistance, tolerance and vigor;
this can increase the profit of farming.
 Scientific Role: Biodiversity is vital because each species can give us
some evidence as to how life evolved and will continue to evolve. It also
helps in understanding how life functions and the responsibility of each
species in supporting ecosystems of which we are also a species.
 BIODIVERSITY DISTRIBUTION 
 Biodiversity is not evenly distributed, rather it varies greatly across
the globe as well as within regions
 Among other factors, the diversity of all living things (biota)
depends on temperature, precipitation, altitude, soils, geography and
the presence of other species.
 Diversity consistently measures higher in the tropics and lower in
polar regions generally
 Rain forests that have had wet climates for a long time, have
particularly high biodiversity
 Terrestrial biodiversity is thought to be up to 25 times greater than
ocean biodiversity.
 GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY
Global biodiversity is the measure of biodiversity on planet Earth and is defined as
the total variability of life forms. More than 99 percent of all species that ever lived
on Earth are estimated to be extinct. Estimates on the number of Earth's current
species range from 2 million to 1 trillion, of which about 1.74 million have been
databased thus far and over 80 percent have not yet been described. More recently, in
May 2016, scientists reported that 1 trillion species are estimated to be on Earth
currently with only one-thousandth of one percent described. The total amount
of DNA base pairs on Earth, as a possible approximation of global biodiversity, is
estimated at 5.0 x 1037, and weighs 50 billion tons In comparison, the total mass of
the biosphere has been estimated to be as much as 4 TtC (trillion tons of carbon). In
other related studies, around 1.9 million extinct species are believed to have been
described currently, but some scientists believe 20% are synonyms, reducing the total
valid described species to 1.5 million. In 2013, a study published
in Science estimated there to be 5 ± 3 million extant species on Earth. 
 BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS

 A biodiversity hotspot is a region with a high level of endemic species that has
experienced great habitat loss
 While hotspots are spread all over the world, the majority are forest areas and
most are located in the tropics
 Colombia is characterized by high biodiversity, with the highest rate of species
by area unit worldwide
 It has the largest number of endemics (species that are not found naturally
anywhere else) of any country
 About 10% of the species of the Earth can be found in Colombia
 34 biodiversity hotspots have been identified. They once covered 15.7 percent
of the Earth's land surface
 86 % of the hotspots habitat has already been destroyed
 The intact remnants of the hotspots now cover only 2.3 % of the Earth's land
surface
 6 Biodiversity Hotspots You Should Know
1. THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS:
Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Jamaica, the British and US Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and all the
other neighboring islands are home to a wide
number of plants and animals that are only found in that region.
The health of forests in the area are threatened by unhealthy soil and
climate change, while increasing natural disasters further threaten
species like the black capped petrel.

2. THE ATLANTIC FOREST IN BRAZIL:

The east coast of Brazil is home to a diversity of species across its
mountain ranges and the surrounding forests. While the Amazon is another major
home of diverse species and provides the earth with significant carbon absorption, it technically does not
meet the criteria of a biodiversity hotspot. Still, these two regions make Brazil a significant country when it
comes to conservation efforts. Like many of these hotspots, rural farmers contribute heavily to the
ecosystem’s condition. They are key players in protecting biodiversity.
3. SOUTHEAST ASIA:
This region comprises a large geographical area. In between Western India and
the coast of Vietnam are huge swaths of rich rainforests. Many indigenous
communities across Myanmar and Thailand call this area home, and a large
portion of them have a history of relying on the forest for their survival. The
harmonious relationship between people and the forest, wildlife, and with each
other is ultimately key to ending the crisis of deforestation in this area.

4. THE PHILIPPINES:
The 7,000-plus islands that make up the Philippines create conditions for rich
biodiversity. Nearly 600 recorded bird species are indigenous, and over a third of
those are only found in the Philippines. This biodiversity extends to the rich and
diverse marine life in between the islands. In spite of this,
deforestation has threatened the presence of a number
of species. This includes the national symbol,
the Philippine eagle.
5. THE HORN OF AFRICA:
The Horn of Africa is the protruding continental mass that wraps around the Arabian
peninsula. It comprises Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Somalia. This region is
currently facing increasing desertification. Efforts to preserve forest
space, particularly by the Ethiopian Church, have played a key role in protecting its
remaining biodiversity. These same challenges also intensify the threat of food
insecurity in this region.

6. MADAGASCAR:
Madagascar is home to some distinct succulent woodlands and a wide variety of
unique animal species. Its relative isolation off the coast of Africa creates unique
conditions for various species to thrive, though many are now under threat.
Decreasing rainfall has been one of the greater threats to local plant life. These same
vulnerabilities extend to neighboring islands in the Indian Ocean.
 BIOSPHERE RESERVERS

 Biosphere reserves are areas comprising terrestrial, marine and

coastal ecosystems. Each reserve promotes solutions reconciling
the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.
 Biosphere reserves are nominated by national governments and
remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are
located. Their status is internationally recognized.
 There are 669 biosphere reserves in 120 countries, including 16
transboundary sites. They are distributed as follows:
 70 in 28 countries in Africa
 30 in 11 countries in the Arab States
 142 in 24 countries in Asia and the Pacific
 302 in 36 countries in Europe and North America
 125 in 21 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
 IMPORTANCE OF BIOSPHERE

 Conservation:
Biosphere reserves conserve genetic resources, species, ecosystems and landscapes without
uprooting inhabitants. Rather the traditional life style and traditional resources of the local
people are maintained.
 DEVELOPMENT:
Sustainable economic, cultural, social and ecological developments are ensured .
 RESTORATION:
Biosphere reserve helps to rebuild any damage caused to ecosystems and habitats.
 EDUCATION & RESEARCH:
Biosphere reserve provides a lot of scientific information for specific scientific
studies and research. Exchange of information on restoration, conservation and
development of biosphere can be made at national and international levels.
BIODIVERSITY IN INDIA
 India is known for its rich heritage of biodiversity.
 India is one of the 17 mega-diverse countries in the world
 With only 2.4 % of the world‘s area, India accounts for 7–8 % of the world‘s
recorded plant and animal species.
 India‘s ten biogeographic zones possess an exemplary diversity of ecological
habitats like alpine forests, grasslands, wetlands, coastal and marine ecosystems,
and desert ecosystems.
 Amongst the existing biota, 91,307 species of animals of which 2,557 Protista,
12,470 general invertebrates, 69,903 arthropods, 4,994 vertebrates, and 45,500
species of plants as well as 5,650 microbial species have been documented in its
10 bio-geographic regions.
 India has four out of thirty-four global biodiversity hotspots, which is an indicator
of high degree of endemism (of species) in India.
 About 5,150 plant species and 1,837 animal species are endemic to India.
 India‘s biodiversity includes wild relatives of agricultural crops and domesticated
animals.
 India has 16 major types and 251 subtypes of forests.
 Indigenous medicine systems utilize nearly 6,500 native plants for both human
and animal healthcare.
 India‘s diverse preponderance of native tribal and ethnic groups has contributed
significantly in the conservation and diversification of biodiversity. Its cultural
and ethnic diversity includes over 550 tribal communities of 227 ethnic groups
spread over 5,000 forested villages. India proudly upholds the tradition of nature
conservation.
 In 252 B.C., the Emperor Asoka established protected areas (PAs) for mammals,
birds, fish and forests through a proclamation. Jim Corbett National Park
covering an area of 325 sq km came into being as the India‘s first and world‘s
third National Park in 1936.
 India has currently 4.79 % of total geographic area under an elaborate network of
PAs, which includes 99 National Parks, 513 wildlife sanctuaries, 43 conservation
reserves, 4 community reserves and 3 biodiversity heritage sites.
 India has a National Wildlife Action Plan, which envisages 10 % of the
geographical area of the country under PA coverage.
 Jim Corbett National Park

 Jim Corbett National Park is a national park in India located in

the Nainital district of Uttarakhand state. The first national park in India, it
was established in 1936 during the British Raj and named Hailey National
Park after William Malcolm Hailey, a governor of the United Provinces in
which it was then located.
  In 1956, nearly a decade after India's independence, it was
renamed Corbett National Park after the hunter and naturalist Jim Corbett,
who had played a leading role in its establishment and had died the year
before. The park was the first to come under the Project Tiger initiative.
 Corbett National Park comprises 520.8 km2 (201.1 sq mi) area of hills,
riverine belts, marshy depressions, grasslands and a large lake. The
elevation ranges from 1,300 to 4,000 ft (400 to 1,220 m). Winter nights are
cold but the days are bright and sunny. It rains from July to September.
The park has sub-Himalayan belt geographical
and ecological characteristics. Dense moist deciduous forest mainly
consists of sal, haldu, peepal, rohini and mango trees. Forest covers almost
73% of the park, while 10% of the area consists of grasslands. It houses
around 110 tree species, 50 species of mammals, 580 bird species and 25
reptile species.
 8 MAJOR CAUSES OF BIODIVERSITY
1. Habitat Loss and Fragmentation:
A habitat is the place where a plant or animal naturally lives. Habitat loss is identified as main threat
to 85% of all species described as threatened or endangered. Factors responsible for this are
deforestation, fire and over-use and urbanization.

2. Over-exploitation for Commercialization:

Over-exploitation of resources has coasted more environmental degradation than earning. For
example; shrimp farming in India, Thailand, Ecuador and Indonesia results in Wetland destruction,
pollution of coastal waters and degradation of coastal fisheries. Scientific studies have concluded that
cost of environmental degradation resulting from shrimp farming was costing more than the earning
through shrimp exports.

3. Invasive Species:
Invasive species are ‘alien’ or ‘exotic’ species which are introduced accidentally or
intentionally by human. These species become established in their new environment and
spread unchecked, threatening the local biodiversity. These invasive alien species have
been identified as the second greatest threat to biodiversity after habitat loss.
4. Pollution:
Pollution is a major threat to biodiversity, and one of the most difficult problems to overcome; Pollutants do not recognize international boundaries. For example, agricultural run-off, which contains a variety of fertilizers and pesticides, may seep into ground water and rivers before
ending up in the ocean. Atmospheric pollutants drift with prevailing air currents and are deposited far from their original source.
5. Global Climate Change:
Many climatologists believe that the greenhouse effect is likely to raise world temperatures by about 2°C by 2030, meaning that sea levels will rise by around 30-50 cm by this time. Global warming, coupled with human population growth and accelerating rates of resource use will
bring further losses in biological diversity. Vast areas of the world will be inundated causing loss of human life as well as ecosystems.
6. Population Growth and Over-consumption:
From a population of one billion at the beginning of the 19th century, our species now numbers more than six billion people. Such rapid population growth has meant a rapid growth in the exploitation of natural resources— water, foods and minerals. Although there is evidence that
our population growth rate is beginning to slow down, it is clear that the exploitation of natural resources is currently not sustainable. Added to this is the fact that 25 per cent of the population consumes about 75 per cent of the world’s natural resources. This problem of over-
consumption is one part of the broader issue of unsustainable use.
 LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY
 Habitat loss and degradation
 Habitat loss and degradation create the biggest single source of pressure on
biodiversity worldwide
 For terrestrial ecosystems, habitat loss is largely accounted for by conversion of
wild lands to agriculture, which now accounts for some 30% of land globally
 In some areas, it has recently been partly driven by the demand for biofuels.
 Climate change: for example, heating of the
Earth's surface affects biodiversity because
it endangers all the species that adapted to the
cold due to the latitude (the Polar species)
or the altitude (mountain species).
 CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY(CBD)-
1993
 The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), known informally as the
Biodiversity Convention, is a multilateral treaty
 The Convention has three main goals:
 Conservation of biological diversity (or biodiversity)
 Sustainable use of its components; and fair and equitable sharing of benefits
arising from genetic resources
 In other words, its objective is to develop national strategies for the conservation
and sustainable use of biological diversity. It is often seen as the key document
regarding sustainable development
 The Convention was opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro
on 5 June 1992 and entered into force on 29 December 1993
 It secured rights to control access to genetic resources for the countries in which
those resources are located
 One objective of the CBD is to enable lesser-developed countries to better benefit
from their resources and traditional knowledge
 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
 Biodiversity conservation is about saving life on Earth in all its forms and
keeping natural ecosystems functioning and healthy
 Conservation is of two kinds : In-situ conservation and Ex-situ conservation
 In-situ conservation, the conservation of species in their natural habitats, is
considered the most appropriate way of conserving biodiversity.
 Ex-situ conservation is the preservation of components of biological diversity
outside their natural habitats. This involves conservation of genetic resources, as
well as wild and cultivated or species, and draws on a diverse body of techniques
and facilities.
 Conserving the areas where populations of species exist naturally is an underlying
condition for the conservation of biodiversity. That's why protected areas form a
central element of any national strategy to conserve biodiversity
 A protected area is a geographically defined area that is designated or regulated
and managed to achieve specific conservation objectives. It may be set aside for
the protection of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural
resources and is managed through legal or other effective means.
 This includes national parks and nature reserves, sustainable use reserves
(biospheres), wilderness areas and heritage sites
 CONCLUSION

Biodiversity is our life. If the Biodiversity got lost at this

rate then in near future, the survival of human being will be
threatened. So, it is our moral duty to conserve Biodiversity
as well our environment. Long-term maintenance of species
and their management requires co-operative efforts across
entire landscapes. Biodiversity should be dealt with at scale
of habitats or ecosystems rather than at species level.