BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

STRATEGIES

Dr. Monika Keisham

- BY PAYAL
TOPICS TO BE COVERED

 in-situ and ex-situ methods of conservation

 National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and
Biosphere reserves
 Keystone species
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

 Ranges from studying the processes that

influence a decline in biological diversity, to
protecting and restoring populations of
endangered species, to preserving entire
ecosystems and landscapes.
 Develop models, design experiments, and
perform field-work.
IN-SITU VS EX-SITU CONSERVATION
 Conservation of a species is best done by
protecting its habitat along with all the other
species that live in it in nature. This is known as in-
situ conservation, which is conserving a species in
its own environment.
 However, there are situations in which an
endangered species is so close to extinction that
unless alternate methods are instituted, the
species may be rapidly driven to extinction. This
strategy is known as ex-situ conservation, i.e.
outside its natural habitat in a carefully controlled
situation
IN-SITU CONSERVATION METHODS
BIOSPHERE RESERVE

 According to UNESCO, “Biosphere reserves are

areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems
promoting solutions to reconcile the
conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable
use. They are internationally recognized,
nominated by national governments and
remain under sovereign jurisdiction of the
states where they are located”.
BIOSPHERE RESERVE

 The Ministry of Environment, Forest and

Climate Change, Government of India defines
Biosphere Reserves thus – “Biosphere
Reserves (BRs) are representative parts of
natural and cultural landscapes extending over
large area of terrestrial or coastal/marine
ecosystems or a combination thereof and
representative examples of bio-geographic
zones/province”.
MAN AND THE BIOSPHERE PROGRAMME (MAB)

 In 1971, UNESCO launched a global programme to

formalize the scientific interaction between man and his
natural environment. This programme is called the Man
and the Biosphere Programme (MAB).
 The MAB is a worthy initiative aimed at conserving the
ecology and environment which is essential to the very
survival of many rare and dying species of flora and
fauna.
 India, with its rich treasure trove of biodiversity, is
geographically ideal for establishing, cultivating and
maintaining a variety of biosphere reserves.
BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN INDIA
 The Government of India has established about 18
different Biosphere Reserves in the country.
 Out of these 18, nine bio reserves are included in
the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based
on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB)
Programme list.
 Not only are animals protected in the Biosphere
Reserves of our country but the natural lifestyle of
the indigenous people is also promoted. The
communities in these regions are encouraged to
retain their agrarian lifestyle and develop harmony
with the plants and animals.
BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN INDIA

The Biosphere Reserves of India correspond

roughly to the IUCN Category V Protected Areas
list and are often designed to include one or
more national parks and national sanctuaries.
 The buffer zones of these Biosphere Reserves
are open to economic activities as well.
BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN INDIA- SUNDERBANS

 Location - Estuaries of River Ganges and River

Brahmaputra. The reserve is also a UNESCO World
Heritage site, as it is the largest mangrove forest area in
the world.
 Fauna - The reserve is famous as the breeding ground of
the Royal Bengal Tiger. Spotted deer, Rhesus Macaque,
Salt Water Crocodile and Giant Adjutant Storks are some
other attractions.
 Flora - World's largest mangrove forest hosts several
endemic species of plants such as Garjan, Gewa, Goran,
Keora and Sundari trees. The name Sundarbans refers
to the abundance of Sundari trees in the area.
WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES AND NATIONAL PARKS
OF INDIA
 There are 589 Protected Areas in India of which
89 are National Parks and 500 are Wildlife
Sanctuaries.
 They include a variety of ecosystems and
habitats.
 Some have been created in order to protect
highly endangered species of wild plants and
animals found nowhere else in the world.
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IN INDIA

 Keoladeo National Park formerly known as

the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Rajasthan)
 Most famous water bird sanctuaries in the
world. Thousands of ducks, geese, herons, and
other wading birds can be seen here.
 This is the only home of the very rare Siberian
crane which migrates to India every winter.
NATIONAL PARK IN INDIA

 Kaziranga National Park (Assam) is the most

famous which has elephant, wild buffalo, gaur,
wild boar, swamp deer, and hog deer, in large
numbers, as well as tiger and leopard. Its bird
life is extremely rich and includes ducks, geese,
pelicans and storks.
EX-SITU CONSERVATION

In India, successful ex-situ conservation

programs have been done for all our three
species of crocodiles. This has been highly
successful.
 Another recent success has been the breeding
of the very rare pygmy hog in Gauhati zoo.
 Delhi zoo has successfully bred the rare
Manipur brow antlered deer.
EX-SITU CONSERVATION
 Ex-situ conservation involves maintenance and
breeding of endangered plants and animals under
partially or wholly controlled conditions in specific
areas including zoo, gardens, nurseries, etc.
 The stresses on living organisms due to
competition for food, water, space etc. can be
avoided by ex-situ conservation there by providing
conditions necessary for a secure life and
breeding.
EX-SITU CONSERVATION
 The ex-situ conservation strategies include:
• botanical gardens,
• zoological gardens,
• conservation stands and gene, pollen,
seed, seedling, tissue culture and DNA banks.

 Seed gene banks make the easiest way to

store germplasm of wild and cultivated plants at low
temperature. While in field gene banks, preservation
of genetic resources is being done under normal
growing conditions.
EX-SITU CONSERVATION
 For ex-situ conservations the species to be
conserved should be identified followed by
adoption of different ex-situ methods such as,
long-term captive breeding and propagation for
the species which have lost their habitats
permanently, short-term propagation and
release of the animals in their natural habitat,
animal translocation and reintroduction and
advanced technology in the service
of endangered species.
 ADVANTAGES
IN-SITU
 It doesn’t involve removing
species from their natural
ecosystems.
 It is not as disruptive as ex-situ
conservation, i.e. ecological
integrity is maintained.
 It involves protection of larger
populations and conservation
of organisms and their habitat
as a whole.
 The organisms/species get the
opportunity to evolve.
 Allows and facilitates scientific
studies of the area.
EX-SITU
 It involves protection of
species from external threats
like predation and poaching.
 Selective breeding processes
are put in place.
 It involves reintroduction of
several organisms that have
left their natural habitat.
 Improvised quality of off-
springs can be obtained
DISADVANTAGES
IN-SITU
 It requires larger areas.
 Animals are always under
threat of several diseases or
any natural disasters.
 Risk of increased inbreeding
and thus reduced fitness which
is known as homozygosity.
 The animal species could be
less productive and thus
expensive to be monitored and
maintained.
 Poachers and ecological
tourists may find these thriving
habitats as an opportunity and
may cause harm.
EX-SITU
 It can be considered only for a
few kinds of species.
 Due to human interference,
rare species remain under
threat.
 Captive species show divergent
genetics.
 Poor germination rate.
 Costly method of conservation.
 Harm to seeds by pests.
KEYSTONE SPECIES
 A keystone species is a species that plays an essential role in the structure,
functioning or productivity of a habitat or ecosystem at a defined level
(habitat, soil, seed dispersal, etc).

 Disappearance of such species may lead to significant ecosystem change or

dysfunction which may have knock on effects on a broader scale.

 A keystone species is often, but not always, a predator.

 By focussing on keystone species, conservation actions for that species may

help to preserve the structure and function of a wide range of habitats
which are linked with that species during its life cycle.
EXAMPLE OF A KEYSTONE SPECIES
 Wolves are a critical keystone species in a healthy ecosystem.

 By regulating prey populations, wolves enable many other species of plants

and animals to fluorish.

 In this regard, wolves initiate a domino effect- “touching” songbirds, beaver,

fish, and butterflies.

 Without predators, such as wolves, the system fails to support a natural

level of biodiversity.
FLAGSHIP SPECIES
 A flagship species is a species selected to act
as an ambassador, icon or symbol for a
defined habitat, issue, campaign or
environmental cause.

 Flagship species may or may not

be keystone species and may or may not be
good indicators of biological process.

 Flagship species are usually relatively large,

and considered to be 'charismatic' in western WWF considers the
cultures. giant panda as a
'flagship' species: that is, a
charismatic representative of
 By focusing on, and achieving conservation of the biologically rich temperate
that species, the status of many other species forest it inhabits
which share its habitat – or are vulnerable to
the same threats – may also be improved.
UMBRELLA SPECIES
 Species whose conservation results in many
other species being conserved at the
ecosystem or landscape level.

 Animals identified as umbrella species typically

have large home ranges that cover multiple
habitat types.

 Protection to umbrella species automatically

extends protection to other species.

 In India, Asiatic Lion, Bengal tiger, One Horned

Rhino etc. are umbrella species.
INDICATOR SPECIES
 An indicator species is a species or group of species
chosen as an indicator of, or proxy for, the state of an
ecosystem or of a certain process within that ecosystem.

 Examples include crayfish as indicators of freshwater

quality; corals as indicators of marine processes such as
siltation, seawater rise and sea temperature fluctuation; or
native plants as indicators for the presence and impact of
alien species.
SPECIES TRANSLOCATION
 Translocation in wildlife conservation is the capture, transport and release
or introduction of species, habitats or other ecological material (such
as soil) from one location to another.

 Translocation is an effective management strategy and important topic

in conservation biology.

 It decreases the risk of extinction by increasing the range of a species,

augmenting the numbers in a critical population, or establishing new
populations thus reducing the risk of extinction.

 Translocation may be expensive and is often subject to public scrutiny,

particularly when the species involved is perceived as dangerous (for
example wolf reintroduction)
THREE TYPES OF SPECIES TRANSLOCATION

 The first of three types of translocation is introduction.

 Introduction is the deliberate or accidental translocation of a species into

the wild in areas where it does not occur naturally.

 Introduction of non-native species occurs for a variety of reasons.

 Examples are economic gain (Sitka Spruce), controlling crop pests (cane
toads), improvement of hunting and fishing (fallow deer), ornamentation of
roads (rhododendron) or maintenance (sweet chestnut).
THREE TYPES OF SPECIES TRANSLOCATION

 The second of the three types of translocation is re-introduction.

 Re-introduction is the deliberate or accidental translocation of a species into

the wild in areas where it was indigenous at some point, but no longer at the
present.

 Re-introduction is used as a wildlife management tool for the restoration of

an original habitat when it has become altered or species have become
extinct due to over-collecting, over-harvesting, human persecution, or
habitat deterioration.

 An example of a successful translocation was the one performed with the

plant Narcissus cavanillesii to prevent its flooding due to the construction of
a dam.
SPECIES REINTRODUCTION

 The most important step of a successful breeding program is the

reintroduction of a species into its original wild habitat.

 This requires rehabilitation of the degraded habitat and removal of the other
causes such as poaching, disturbance, or other manmade influences that
have been the primary cause of reducing the population of the species.

 The goal of species reintroduction is to establish a healthy, genetically

diverse, self-sustaining population to an area where it has been extirpated,
or to augment an existing population.
THREE TYPES OF SPECIES TRANSLOCATION

 Lastly, the third type of translocation is re-stocking.

 Re-stocking is the translocation of an organism into the wild into an area

where it is already present.

 Re-stocking is considered as a conservation strategy where populations

have dropped below critical levels and species recovery is questionable due
to slow reproductive rates or inbreeding.
VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY
DIRECT VALUES
 Direct values are of two types; consumptive use and productive use values.

1. Consumptive use values: biodiversity products can be harvested and

consumed directly such as, food, fuel and drugs.

2. Productive use values: products which are commercially sold in markets

such as, textile, leather, silk, paper etc.
CONSUMPTIVE USE VALUE: FOOD AND FUEL

 Most fundamental value of biological resources particularly plants is to

provide food.

 Wheat, maize and rice provide more than tow third of food requirement all
over the world.

 Since ages forest have provided wood which is used as a fuel.

 Fossil fuels are also product of biodiversity.

CONSUMPTIVE USE VALUE: DRUGS AND
MEDICINE
 Many drugs are derived from plants.

 Example: quinine (anti- malaria drug is derived from cinchona bark)

 Penicillin (antibiotic derived from Penicillum, a fungus)

INDIRECT VALUES
 Biodiversity provides indirect benefits to human beings which support the
existence of biological life and other benefits.

a. Social and cultural value: Many plants and animals are considered holy
and sacred in India and worshipped like tulsi, peepal, cow etc. In Indian
society, great cultural value is given to forest and as such tiger, peacock
and lotus are named as National animal, bird and flower, respectively.

b. Ethical: these values are related to conservation of biodiversity where

ethical issue of “all life forms must be preserved” is laid down.

c. Aesthetic value: Great aesthetic value. Natural landscapes at undisturbed

places are a delight to watch and provide opportunities for recreational
activities like bird watching, photography etc.

d. Environment service values: Maintenance of environment services.

ENVIRONMENT SERVICE VALUES
 Carbon dioxide fixation through photosynthesis.

 Maintenance of essential nutrients by carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur and

phosphorus cycles.

 Maintenance of water cycle and ground water recharging.

 Soil formation and protection from erosion.

 Regulation of climate by recycling moisture into the atmosphere.

 Detoxification and decomposition of waste.