Biodiversity

Biological diversity or Biodiversity is the differences and variety between the living organisms of
all sources. It includes all terrestrial (land-dwelling), marine (aquatic) and other different
ecosystems and ecological complexes.
OR
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 term was coined by Walter G.
Rosen in 1985.
Types of Biodiversity
Genetic diversity: Each member of any animal or plant species differs widely from other
individuals in its genetic makeup because of the large number of combinations possible in the
genes that give every individual specific characteristics. The diversity in wild species forms the
‘gene pool’ from which our crops and domestic animals have been developed over thousands of
years.
Genetic diversity refers to any variation in the nucleotides, genes, chromosomes, or whole
genomes of organisms. This is the “fundamental currency of diversity” (Williams and Humphries,
1996) and the basis for all other organismal diversity. Genetic diversity is the sum total of genetic
information, contained in the genes of individuals of plants, animals and microorganisms that
inhabit the earth. It is needed by any species in order to maintain reproductive vitality, resistance
to disease and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. It enables a population to adapt to its
environment and to respond to natural selection. The amount of genetic variation is the basis of
speciation. Genetic diversity within a species often increases with environmental variability. Such
genetic variability has made it possible to produce new breed of crops plants and domestic animals,
and in the world allowed species to adapt to changing conditions.
Species diversity: The number of species of plants and animals that are present in a region
constitutes its species diversity. A group of organisms genetically so similar, that they can
interbreed and produce fertile offsprings is called a species. The species diversity is usually
measured in terms of the total number of species within discrete geographical boundaries. “Species
are groups of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations that are
reproductively isolated from other such groups” (Mayr, 1963). Species are distinct units of
diversity each playing a specific role in the ecosystem. In nature, both the number and kind of
species, as well as the number of individuals per species vary, leading to greater diversity.
Ecosystem diversity: There are a large variety of different ecosystems on earth, which have their
own complement of distinctive inter linked species based on the differences in the habitat. It is
defined by the species that occupy a particular locality and the interactions between them. It
represents the collective response of species to different environmental conditions. Biological
communities such as deserts, grasslands, wetlands, and forest support the continuity of proper
ecosystem functioning by providing ecological beneficial services to people.
Diversity at the level of community and ecosystem exists along 3 levels.
• It could be within-community diversity (alpha diversity), Alpha Diversity refers to the diversity
within a particular area or ecosystem, and is usually expressed by the number of species (i.e.,
species richness) in that ecosystem.
• Between-communities diversity (beta diversity), a comparison of diversity between ecosystems,
usually measured as the amount of species change between the ecosystems.
• Diversity of the habitats over the total landscape or geographical area (gamma diversity), a
measure of the overall diversity within a large region.
Biogeographic classification of India
Biogeography is the scientific investigation of the distribution of species and ecosystems in
geographic setting and across geological time. Biological communities and living Organisms often
differ in a regular fashion through geographic gradients of elevation, isolation, latitude, and habitat
area.
The biogeographic regions are basically “those predominant divisions of the earth’s surface of
estimated continental extent, which are attributed by distinct assemblages of animal types”.
Our country can be conveniently divided into ten major regions, based on the geography, climate
and pattern of vegetation seen and the communities of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibia, insects
and other invertebrates that live in them. Each of these regions contains a variety of ecosystems
such as forests, grasslands, lakes, rivers, wetlands, mountains and hills, which have specific plant
and animal species.
India’s Biogeographic Zones
1. The cold mountainous snow covered Trans Himalayan region of Ladakh.
2. The Himalayan ranges and valleys of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam and
other North Eastern States.
3. Deccan Plateau
4. The Gangetic Plain and Brahmaputra plains.
5. The Thar Desert of Rajasthan and the Rann of Kutch.
6. The semi-arid grassland region of the Deccan plateau Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
7. The Northeast States of India.
8. The Western Ghats in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala.
9. The Island Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
10. Coast, the long western and eastern coastal belt with sandy beaches, forests and mangroves.

India as a mega diversity nation

Among the biologically rich nations, India stands among the top 10 or 15 countries for its great
variety of plants and animals, many of which are not found elsewhere. India has 350 different
mammals (rated eight highest in the world), 1,200 species of birds (eighth in the world), 453
species of reptiles (fifth in the world) and 45,000 plant species, of which most are angiosperms,
(fifteenth in the world). These include especially high species diversity of ferns (1022 species) and
orchids (1082 species). India has 50,000 known species of insects, including 13,000 butterflies and
moths. It is estimated that the number of unknown species could be several times higher.
It is estimated that 18% of Indian plants are endemic to the country and found nowhere else in the
world. Among the plant species the flowering plants have a much higher degree of endemism, a
third of these are not found elsewhere in the world. Among amphibians found in India, 62% are
unique to this country. Among lizards, of the 153 species recorded, 50% are endemic. High
endemism has also been recorded for various groups of insects, marine worms, centipedes,
mayflies and fresh water sponges.
Hotspots of biodiversity: The term hotspot was coined by Norman Myers in 1988. Biodiversity
hotspots” can be defined as the regions which are known for their high species richness and
endemism. According to Conservation International, a region must fulfill the following two criteria
to qualify as a hotspot:
 1. The region should have at least 1500 species of vascular plants i.e., it should have a high
degree of endemism.
2. It must contain 30% (or less) of its original habitat, i.e. it must be threatened.

There are currently 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots. India has 2 biodiversity hotspot region
Himalayan region comprises North-East India, Bhutan, Central and Eastern parts of Nepal. This
region (NE Himalayas) holds a record of having 163 endangered species which includes the Wild
Asian Water Buffalo, One-horned Rhino; and as many as 10,000 plant species, of which 3160 are
endemic. This mountain range covers nearly 750,000 km2.
Western Ghats
The earth’s biodiversity is distributed in specific ecological regions. There are over a thousand
major ecoregions in the world. Of these, 200 are said to be the richest, rarest and most distinctive
natural areas. These areas are referred to as the Global 200. It has been estimated that 50,000
endemic plants which comprise 20% of global plant life, probably occur in only 18 ‘hot spots’ in
the world. Countries which have a relatively large proportion of these hot spots of diversity are
referred to as ‘mega diversity nations’.
The rate at which the extinction of species is occurring throughout our country remains obscure.
It is likely to be extremely high as our wilderness areas are shrinking rapidly. Our globally accepted
national ‘hot spots’ are in the forests of the North-East and the Western Ghats, which are
included in the world’s most bio rich areas. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are extremely rich
in species and many subspecies of different animals and birds have evolved. Among the endemic
species i.e. those species found only in India, a large proportion are concentrated in these three
areas. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands alone have as many as 2200 species of flowering plants
and 120 species of ferns. Out of 135 genera of land mammals in India, 85 (63%) are found in the
Northeast. The Northeast States have 1,500 endemic plant species. A major proportion of
amphibian and reptile species, especially snakes, are concentrated in the Western Ghats, which is
also a habitat for 1,500 endemic plant species.
The values of biological diversity
Human society depend on biological diversity for almost all the food supply, half of its medicines,
much of its clothing and in some region virtually all of its fuel and building material and as well
as, of course, an important part of its mental and spiritual welfare.
Ecological services (Indirect use)
Consumptive use value: The biological resources are consumed directly, without passing to the
market. Assessing the value of nature’s products - such as fire wood, fodder, game meat, etc.
Productive use value: The resource comes through market or trading. Assessing the value of
products that are commercially harvested, such as timber, fish, game meat sold in a market, ivory,
and medicinal plants.
Non-consumptive use value: The resources meant for the future potential uses of biodiversity
(tourism, scientific research) and ecological balance.
Benefits of biodiversity
1. Economic benefits
a) Food value – providing food to the human population on this earth for thousands of years. In
the process of development of human civilization, man has unfolded many plant and animal life
forms which are directly or indirectly helpful for him in solving his food problem. Due to the
scientific advancement many new taxa have been discovered which are high yielding.
b) Commercial value –timber which is a major component of material used for providing shelter
to man. Natural fibers like cotton and silk are still used for clothing by human population.
c) Medicinal value –Medicines, drugs and pharmaceuticals. Many plant genetic resources are used
from derivation of basic drugs. These plant resources vary from actinomycetes and fungi to large
trees. Traditional knowledge of indigenous people still keeps an edge over the scientific knowledge
in this field.
2. Aesthetic value – Man has always been fascinated by the natural beauty and nature has inspired
him resulting in development of his moral and ethical values. This intrinsic value of plants and
animals are independent of their economic and commercial value. Wonderful plants and animals
of this planet not only reflect their aesthetic value but they can make us think of the creator. This
opens doors for spiritually which envisages to live in harmony with the nature.
3. Ecological benefits/services (Indirect use value) – Biodiversity supplies the buffering capacity
and stability to life on the planet by maintaining the interactive dynamics of the ecosystems of the
world.
4. Social Value: Bioresoure are used to society. Value related to social life, religion and spiritual
aspects. Like holy plant (tulsi and lotus) and holy animals (cow, bull, peacock).
5. Ethical Value: River Ganga.
6. Informational Value: It helps in the scientific studies and in research filed.
Threats to biodiversity
Growing human population - specific types of human actions that threatened biodiversity and
ecosystems and causes to extinction of many species are:
Over-exploitation, Deforestation, Pollution, Climate change, Cultural impacts, Man wildlife
conflict
Habitat loss/ degradation/fragmentation - Biodiversity is threatened when there is significant
habitat loss or degradation. This happens when an area that was once used as a habitat is no longer
inhabited by nature. Things like deforestation, mining, agriculture and industrial activities often
remove crucial habitat space for wildlife and plants. However, natural events could also cause
habitat degradation. This would include events such as hurricanes, volcanic eruptions and forest
fires.
Invasion of non-native species - Another reason for the loss of biodiversity is the introduction of
invasive species. Invasive species include any plants or animals that are unnatural or non-native to
an ecosystem. These species threaten and often outcompete the plants and animals already present
in a habitat.
Poaching of Wildlife means illegal killing of wildlife for their skin, horns, teeth, musk.
Endemic species: Species restricted to a particular region or ecosystem due to various
environmental factors or due to the barriers of dispersal. India is rich in endemic flora and fauna.
33% of flowering plant, 53% of fresh water fishes, 60% of amphibians, 36% of reptiles and 10%
of mammals. Example: Asiatic Lion (Gujarat), Kashmiri Red Stag (Kashmir).
Endangered species: any species that is at risk of extinction because of a sudden rapid decrease
in its population. Some endangered species of India are:
1. Western Hoolock Gibbon
The Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) is the only ape found in the country. Hoolock
hoolock is also listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Western hoolock gibbon is
declining due to habitat destruction in various forms and hunting for meat. Over the last 30 years,
the population of western hoolock gibbons has declined by almost 90%. It is now considered to be
one of the 25 most endangered primate species in the world. It is listed on Schedule 1 of the Indian
(Wildlife) Protection Act 1972 in India.
2. Asiatic Lion
They are slightly smaller than African lions. They have a longitudinal fold of skin running along
their belly. They face the threats of poaching and habitat fragmentation. Its entire species is only
found in India and is restricted to the Gir National Park, Gujarat. Since 2010, the International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has designated the Asiatic Lion as an endangered
species. In 2020, an Asiatic Lion census was conducted, which showed a 29% rise in the population
since 2015, and now around 674 lions are living in the Gir National Park.
3. Blackbuck
Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is the only representative of the genus Antilope and is found in
India. The major causes of the disappearance of the blackbuck are poaching, habitat destruction,
habitat fragmentation, urbanisation, and neglect. It is included in the endangered species list in
India (in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Act, 1972). Blackbucks are found in small herds in open
grasslands, dry scrub areas, and thinly forested areas across India. They have also been introduced
in Argentina and the United States to help increase their populations.
4. Kashmiri Red Stag and 5. Lion-Tailed Macaque
Biodiversity conservation: Biodiversity conservation refers to the protection, upliftment, and
management of biodiversity in order to derive sustainable benefits for present and future
generations.”
Biodiversity conservation has three main objectives:
  To preserve the diversity of species.
 Sustainable utilization of species and ecosystem.
 To maintain life-supporting systems and essential ecological processes.

It can be conserved in the following ways:

1. In situ conservation - In-situ conservation of biodiversity is the conservation of species within
their natural habitat. In this method, the natural ecosystem is maintained and protected. In-situ
conservation takes place include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves.
National Parks
These are small reserves maintained by the government. Its boundaries are well demarcated and
human activities such as grazing, forestry, habitat and cultivation are prohibited. For e.g. Kanha
National Park, and Bandipur National Park.
Wildlife Sanctuaries
These are the regions where only wild animals are found. Human activities such as timber
harvesting, cultivation, collection of woods and other forest products are allowed here as long as
they do not interfere with the conservation project. Also, tourists visit these places for recreation.
Biosphere Reserves
Biosphere reserves are multi-purpose protected areas where the wildlife, traditional lifestyle of the
inhabitants and domesticated plants and animals are protected. Tourist and research activities are
permitted here.
2. Ex situ Conservation– In this approach, threatened animals and plants are taken out from their
natural habitat and placed in special setting where they can be protected and given special care and
protective maintenance. Examples; zoological parks and botanical gardens, in vitro fertilization,
tissue culture propagation and cryopreservation of gametes.
Strategies for Biodiversity Conservation
Following are the important strategies for biodiversity conservation:

1. All the varieties of food, timber plants, livestock, microbes and agricultural animals
should be conserved.
2. All the economically important organisms should be identified and conserved.
3. Unique ecosystems should be preserved first.
4. The resources should be utilized efficiently.
5. Poaching and hunting of wild animals should be prevented.
6. The reserves and protected areas should be developed carefully.
7. The levels of pollutants should be reduced in the environment.
8. Deforestation should be strictly prohibited.
9. Environmental laws should be followed strictly.
10. The useful and endangered species of plants and animals should be conserved in their
nature as well as artificial habitats.
11. Public awareness should be created regarding biodiversity conservation and its
importance.