Environmental Studies

Presentation on BIO DIVERSITY

Guided By Vasudev Modi Presented By Bijoyen Das(2015) Ayaz Patel (2036) KalpeshThakkar(2049)

DEFINITION


The term Biodiversity refers to the entire variety of life forms in existence on earth. It encompasses the entire range of mammals, birds, reptiles , amphibians , fish , insects and other invertebrates , including plants , fungi and other microorganisms like Bacteria and Viruses.

DEFINITION


Biodiversity (or biological diversity) is a collective term meaning: the totality and variety of life on Earth. It includes genetic diversity within species; the variety among species; and the range of ecosystems within which life exists and interacts.

Diversity


Genetic diversity:

Due to large number of combinations possible in the genes that give every individual its specific characteristics.

Diversity


Species diversity:

  

The number of species of plants and animals that are present in a region constitutes its species diversity. 1.8 million species have been identified on earth India is among the worlds 15 nations that are exceptionally rich in species Diversity.

Diversity


Ecosystem diversity:       

Specific regions such as Rivers Lakes Seas Grasslands Deserts Mountains Etc.

Biodiversity is broadly identified under following types :

     

Forests biological diversity. The biological diversity of dry and sub-humid lands Agricultural biodiversity. Biodiversity of inland water ecosystem. Marine and coastal biodiversity.

Bio-geographic classifications of India

      

The cold mountains snow covered Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh The Himalayan ranges and valleys of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh , Uttarakhand, Assam etc. The Terai, the lowland where the Himalayan rivers flow into the plains The Bhrahmaputra plains The desert of Rajasthan Grassland region of Gujarat, Maharashtra,Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu

Bio-geographic classifications of India

 

 

The north-eastern states of India The western Ghats in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala The Andaman and Nicobar Islands The coastal region with sandy beaches, forests and mangroves.

Biodiversity at global, national and local levels



   

There are at present 1.8 million species known and documented by scientists in the world. However, scientists estimate the number to be 1.5-20 billion! Hence, majority of species are yet to be discovered.

Biodiversity at global, national and local levels



Most of the worlds bio-rich nations are in south, which are developing nations. But, majority of the countries capable of exploiting biodiversity are northern nations, in the economically developed world. These nations however have low levels of biodiversity. Thus developed world has come to support the concept that biodiversity must be considered to be a global resource.

Biodiversity at global, national and local levels



However if biodiversity should form a common property resource to be shared by all nations, there is no reason to exclude oil or uranium or even intellectual expertise as global assets. Indias sovereignty over its biological diversity cannot be compromised without a revolutionary change in world thinking about sharing of all types of natural resources.

Biodiversity at global, national and local levels



The species found in countries with diversities higher than India are different from our own. This makes it imperative to preserve our own biodiversity as a major economic resource. While few of the other mega diversity nations have developed the technology and genetic engineering, India is capable of doing so.

Biodiversity at global, national and local levels



Throughout the world, the value of biologically rich natural areas is now being increasingly appreciated as being of unimaginable value. International agreements such as the World Heritage Convention attempt to protect and support such areas. India is signatory to the convention and has included several protected areas as world heritage sites.

Biodiversity at global, national and local levels



India has also signed the convention in the trade of endangered species which is intended to reduce the utilization of endangered plants and animals by controlling trade in their products and in the pet trade.

India as a Mega Diversity Nation



Geological events in the landmass of India have provided conditions for high levels of biological diversity. Indias special geographical position between three distinctive centers of biological evolution and radiation of species is responsible for our rich and varied biodiversity.

India as a Mega Diversity Nation



It is estimated that 18% of Indian plants are endemic to the country and found nowhere in the world. Apart from high biodiversity of Indian wild plants and animals there is also a great diversity of cultivated crops and breeds of domestic live stock. This is the result of several thousand years during which civilizations have grown and flourished in the Indian subcontinent.

Threats to Biodiversity
    

Habitat loss Habitat degradation Water pollution Land pollution Exotic species

Loss of Biodiversity


We can not afford to be careless with our natural resources. We share the environment with other organisms in a complex network. If one species disappears from an ecosystem, the ecosystem changes. To understand the role people are playing in biodiversity loss, it helps to think of something called the HIPPO dilemma.

HIPPO Dilemma
Habitat loss  Introduced species  Population growth  Pollution  Over-consumption


Loss of Biodiversity


Habitat loss - the destruction of habitats is the number one cause of species extinction. Introduced species - Nonnative or Exotic species are species that are not native to a particular region. These species can threaten native species, which have no natural defenses against them.


Example: Birds in Guam

Loss of Biodiversity


Population growth -There are 6 billion humans living on Earth Earths population of human beings is increasing at a rate of about 222,000 people each day. This is changing the environment dramatically and causing other species to become extinct at an accelerated rate. Humans take up more and more space and deplete more resources than any other species.

Loss of Biodiversity


Pollution:  The more resources our population consumes, the more pollution were likely to create.  Pollutions effects can be obvious, such as an oil spill, or not so visually obvious, such as insecticides that can cause reproductive failure in fish, birds, and mammals (like DDT).

Loss of Biodiversity


Over-consumption


Population growth alone doesnt account for the increasing consumption of natural resources that is largely responsible for biodiversity's decline.

Common Plant and Animal Species



Several plant and animal species in the country are now found in only one or a few parts. Endanger animals are charismatic species such as the tiger, the elephant etc. The less well known major mammals, restricted to a single area, include the Indian wild ass, the Hangul etc.

Common Plant Species



Teak
  

South West Is grown extensively by the Forest Department Highly Priced Wood

Sal
  

North Eastern Madhya Pradesh and Orissa Common species

Common Plant Species

Common Plant Species

Common Plant Species

Common Plant Species

Common Plant Species



Babul
  

Thorny species Western India Long, sharp, straight thorns Planted around many villages Huge fruit growing directly from its branches Fruit has prickly skin Fruit is cooked like vegetables

Jackfruit
   

Common Plant Species



Orchids
   

Largest group of flowering plants in the world North eastern states Flower show a range of bright colours and great variations in structure

Common Animal Species



Mammals


Sambars
    

Live in small family Hilly forested areas Feed mainly leaves of low branches Dark brown in colour Large thick antlers

Common Animal Species

Common Animal Species



Birds
 

1200 bird species found in India Hornbills

 

Live on fruit Have heavy curved beaks with a projection on top

  

Bee-eater Bird of pray Paradise flycatcher

Common Animal Species



Reptiles
   

Lizards Snacks Turtles Tortoises Fish Crabs Shrimp

Marine life
  

Conservation of BIODIVERSITY In-situ and Ex-situ

In-situ Conservation


 

In-situ is the protected areas for wildlife species such as tiger, lion, elephant, deer etc with the object to preserve them Such as National parks and Sanctuaries Various projects like Project Tiger, Crocodile Conservation, Project Elephant There are 589 protected areas in India in which 89 are national parks and 500 are Sanctuaries

Ex-situ Conservation


Ex-situ conservation is the conservation of Wildlife species outside its natural habitat in a carefully controlled situation such as a botanical garden for a plant or zoological park for animals where there is expertise to multiply the species under artificially managed condition.

Value of Biodiversity


Consumptive value  Productive value  Social value  Ethical value  Aesthetic value  Option value

Value of biodiversity


Consumptive use value:



The value of biodiversity that arises due to consumption of natural products. For e.g.: biodiversity provides people from all their daily needs ranging from building material to food , medicine, fodder for animals, etc.

Value of biodiversity


Productive value:


This means using the biodiversity for economical use.



For e.g.: Some leading pharmaceutical companies are now using wide variety of wild plants for identifying newer types of chemicals of great economic value, this is known as bio prospecting.

The maximum benefit of biodiversity can be obtained through genetic engineering

Value of Biodiversity


Social value:


The consumptive and productive value of biodiversity is closely linked to social concern in traditional communities . They have cultural and religious sentiments associated with it. Hence we can say that there is a definite social value associated with biodiversity.


For e.g.: The banyan tree is preached all over India.

Value of Biodiversity


Ethical values:


The fact is that there are a thousands of species existing on earth and man is just a small percentage of them. Thus it is our ethical and moral duty to preserve and protect them.

Value of Biodiversity


Aesthetic values:


Knowledge and appreciation of biodiversity for its own sake is another reason to preserve biodiversity. The aesthetic appeal of biodiversity can also be used as a tourist attraction. Plus there is also a certain degree of symbolism associated with biodiversity, like the lion is symbol of Hinduism, elephant is the symbol of Buddhism.

Value of Biodiversity


Option Value:
Keeping the future possibilities open is called the option value. Greater we preserve the biodiversity today, greater options we have for tomorrow

Thank You