BIODIVERSITY PRESERVATION &

CONSERVATION

By

Baneen Haider
BS-V
Defence Authority College of Business
 What is Biodiversity?

The variability among millions of species of

plants, animals and microorganisms; the gene
they contain; and the intricate ecosystem they
help build into the living environment.

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 Levels of Biodiversity

1. Genetic Diversity
2. Species Diversity
3. Community and Ecosystem Diversity

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 Threats to Biodiversity

• Habitat Loss and Degradation

• Habitat Fragmentation
• Poaching of Wildlife: Commercial Hunting
• Introduction of Exotic (Alien) species
• Over-exploitation of Bio-resources
• Pollution and Disturbances
• Diseases
• Genetic Assimilation
• Other Factors
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 Endemic Species

• Endemic species are those species which remain

confined only to a particular locality. Such species are
very important from the point of view of conservation
strategy because their disappearnce means extinction of
these species as they are not found elsewhere.
• Isolated mountain tops, valleys and large oceanic islands
are usually areas of endemism.
• The endemic species and the habitats which are likely to
be lost forever should be given top priority for
conservation. Once lost, there is no way to recover them.
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 Endangered Species

• Endangered species are those species which

have very low population and are in
considerable danger of extinction.
• IUCN has estimated that at least 25,000 plant
species, including lower plants such as
mosses, liverworts, fungi, lichens and
seaweeds, are endangered due to habitat
deterioration, clearance, uprooting and
construction.
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 Species Extinction

• Natural Extinction
• Mass Extinction
• Anthropogenic Extinction

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 IUCN

• International Union for Conservation of nature

& Natural Resources
• Established in 1948, headquarters in
Switzerland.
• Now known as WCU (World Conservation
Union)

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 WWF
• Previously known as World Wildlife Fund
• Now called Worldwide Fund for Nature
• Announced 10 Most Wanted species (2004)
based on threats from sustainable trade and
Consumer Demand of

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TIGERS

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 ASIAN
ELEPHANT

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ASIAN
YEW
TREES

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 PIG-
NOSED
TURTLE

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 YELLOW-
CRESTED
COCKATOOS

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IRRAWADY
DOLPHIN

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 GREAT
WHITE
SHARKS

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 LEAF-
TAILED
GECKO

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HUMPHEAD
WRASSE

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RAMIN

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 Biodiversity Conservation

Biodiversity Conservation refers to the efforts to

maintain or enhance biodiversity involving
protection, uplifting and scientific
management at its optimum level in order to
derive sustainable benefits for the present as
well as for the future.

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Biodiversity Conservation (Contd.)

Why should we be concerned?

Our ethics recall us that we should not deprive our
future generations from economic and aesthetic
benefits that can be derived from biodiversity. It is
our moral duty to look after our planet and pass it
on to our future generation in a good health.

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Biodiversity Conservation (Contd.)

There are two approaches:

1. In Situ (on site) conservation
2. Ex Situ (off site) conservation

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 In Situ Conservation
• Preservation and Protection of Ecosystems at their Original or
Natural Environment.
• The main objective is to recognize a particular biodiversity rich
area and to preserve it so that biodiversity can continue to
flourish and evolve.
• This method maintains all organisms at different tropic levels
from producers to top consumers such as carnivores.
• In situ conservation requires only elimination of factors
detrimental to the existence of the species and allow the large
number of species to grow simultaneously and flourish in their
natural environment in which they were growing since a long
time.
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 In Situ Conservation (Contd.)

Involves the conservation of:

• National Parks
• Sanctuaries
• Biosphere Reserves
• Reserve Forests

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 Ex Situ Conservation

• Involves cultivation of plants and rearing of

animals outside their natural habitats.
• In this habitat, conservation of specific species
is done as a sample of genetic diversity,
particularly of endangered species of plants
and animals, under human care.

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 Ex Situ Conservation (Contd.)

It involves the conservation of:

• Botanical Gardens
• Zoological Parks (Zoos)
• Aquariums

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 Conservation Vs. Preservation

• The aim of conservation is to manage or

regulate use so that it does not exceed the
capacity of the species or system to renew
itself.
• The objective of preservation of species and
ecosystems is to ensure their continuity,
regardless of their potential utility.

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THE END

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