Unit 4

Biodiversity and Conservation

Dr Debasish Roy
 Biodiversity and Conservation
 Levels of biological diversity : genetic, species and ecosystem
diversity; Biogeographic zones of India; Biodiversity patterns and
global biodiversity hot spots

 India as a mega--‐biodiversity nation; Endangered and endemic

species of India

 Threats to biodiversity : Habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man--‐

wildlife conflicts, biological invasions; Conservation of
biodiversity : In--‐situ and Ex--‐situ conservation of biodiversity

 Ecosystem and biodiversity services: Ecological, economic, social,

ethical, aesthetic and Informational value
 What is Biological diversity
Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you'll find in one
area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even
microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world.
Each of these species and organisms work together in
ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and
support life.

Biological diversity deals with the degree of nature’s variety in

the biosphere. This variety can be observed at three levels; the
genetic variability within a species, the variety of species
within a community, and the organization of species in an area
into distinctive plant and animal communities constitutes
ecosystem diversity.
 What is Biological diversity
“Biodiversity” not only refers to the number of individual
species, but also the genetic variety within and between
species and the diversity of ecosystems and regions. The
richness of functions and interdependencies in the
relationships of species within ecosystems is also a factor.

Biodiversity refers to the variety of species both flora and

fauna present in an area. It can be classified into following
three types: Genetic diversity: It is the diversity within species.
Species Diversity: It is the diversity between species.
Ecosystem diversity: It is the diversity between ecosystems.
 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.
 Ecosystem diversity can be described for a specific geographical
region, or a political entity such as a country, a State or a taluka.
Distinctive ecosystems include landscapes such as forests,
grasslands, deserts, mountains, etc., as well as aquatic ecosystems
such as rivers, lakes, and the sea.
 Each region also has man-modified areas such as farmland or
grazing pastures. An ecosystem is referred to as ‘natural’ when it is
relatively undisturbed by human activities, or ‘modified’ when it is
changed to other types of uses, such as farmland or urban areas.
 Ecosystems are most natural in wilderness areas. If natural
ecosystems are overused or misused their productivity eventually
decreases and they are then said to be degraded. India is
exceptionally rich in its ecosystem diversity.
 Species diversity
 The number of species of plants and animals that are present in a
region constitutes its species diversity. This diversity is seen both
in natural ecosystems and in agricultural ecosystems.
 Some areas are more rich in species than others. Natural
undisturbed tropical forests have a much greater species
richness than plantations developed by the Govt. for timber
production.
 A natural forest ecosystem provides a large number of non-wood
products that local people depend on such as fruit, fuel wood,
fodder, fiber, gum, resin and medicines. Timber plantations do
not provide the large variety of goods that are essential for local
consumption.
 In the long-term the economic sustainable returns from non-
wood forest products is said to be greater than the returns from
felling a forest for its timber.
 Species diversity
 Thus the value of a natural forest, with all its species
richness is much greater than a plantation. Modern
intensive agricultural ecosystems have a relatively lower
diversity of crops than traditional agro-pastoral farming
systems where multiple crops were planted.
 At present conservation scientists have been able to
identify and categorize about 1.8 million species on earth.
However, many new species are being identified, especially
in the flowering plants and insects. Areas that are rich in
species diversity are called ‘hotspots’ of diversity.
 India is among the world’s 15 nations that are exceptionally
rich in species diversity.
 Genetic diversity
 Genetic diversity is critical for a population to adapt to changing
environments. Genetic diversity is defined as genetic variability
present within species e.g. Different breeds of dogs, different
varieties of rose flower, wheat, rice, mangoes, etc.
 Genetic Diversity refers to the range of different inherited traits
within a species. In a species with high genetic diversity, there
would be many individuals with a wide variety of different traits.
 The diversity in wild species forms the ‘gene pool’ from which
our crops and domestic animals have been developed over
thousands of years. Today the variety of nature’s bounty is being
further harnessed by using wild relatives of crop plants to create
new varieties of more productive crops and to breed better
domestic animals. Modern biotechnology manipulates genes for
developing better types of medicines and a variety of Industrial
products.
 BIOGEOGRAPHIC CLASSIFICATION OF INDIA

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. The Terai, the lowland where the Himalayan rivers flow into the
plains
4. The Gangetic and Brahmaputra plains
5. The Thar Desert of Rajasthan
BIOGEOGRAPHIC CLASSIFICATION OF INDIA (Contd.)

6. The semi arid grassland region of the Deccan plateau

Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil
Nadu
7. The Northeast States of India
8. The Western Ghats in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala
9. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands
10. The long western and eastern coastal belt with sandy
beaches, forests and mangroves
 Biodiversity patterns
Darwin’s Epic Journey Darwin developed a scientific
theory of biological evolution The process of change
over time is called evolution

Darwin collected specimens of plants and animals.

Darwin noticed three distinctive patterns of

biological diversity:

1) Species vary globally,

2) species vary locally, and
3) species vary over time.
 Biodiversity patterns (Contd.)
 Species Vary Globally - different, yet similar, animal species
inhabited separated, but similar, habitats around the globe.
example: rheas (Brazil& Argentina), ostriches (Africa & India), &
the emu (Australia, India & America). But some species are found
in only one place on the planet example: kangaroo in Australia
 Species Vary Locally - different, yet related, animal species often
occupied different habitats within a local area. Examples:
Galapagos tortoises (west of South America), finches (Americas,
Eurasia and Africa)
 Species Vary Over Time Darwin collected fossils – preserved
remains or traces of dead organisms. Some fossils of extinct
animals were similar to living species.
 Putting the Pieces Together The evidence Darwin collected
suggested that species could change by some natural process.
 Tropical, Sub-tropical and Temperate zone
Temperate Zone: The area or
the region between the two
latitudes Tropic of Cancer and
the arctic circle or between
the Tropic of Capricorn and
the Antarctic circle is called
temperate zone.
The tropics between the
latitude lines of the Tropic of
Cancer and the Tropic of
Capricorn. The tropics include
the Equator and parts of
North America, South
America, Africa, Asia, and
Australia. The subtropics are
the geographical and
climatical zone of the Earth
immediately north and south
of the Tropics.
 Factors of biodiversity pattern

Recent debate has questioned whether biodiversity

patterns are shaped by local or continental-scale
factors? Of course the global drivers include;
1. Climate trends
2. Latitudinal gradients
3. Evolutionary processes and
4. Speciation ( formation of new and distinct species in the
course of evolution ) above all
5. Local disturbance factors include agricultural
activity, erosion, grazing
 Climate trends & Latitudinal gradients

 Tropical areas have a more stable climate compared to that of

the temperate areas. As a result, the tropics succeed in
supporting a higher number of species as the species do not have
to keep adapting to a changing season.
 In the tropical regions the plants receive more energy
during photosynthesis. This, in turn, transfers more energy to
the successive trophic levels in the food chain. Thus, more energy
supports more diversity
 Temperate regions have suffered a lot of glaciations in the recent
past as a result of which they have had a very unstable
environment. Whereas, the tropics have been comparatively
stable. Thus, speciation has been more favoured in the tropics
compared to that of the temperate lands.
Evolutionary processes and Speciation

 Patterns of biodiversity are ultimately the product

of speciation and extinction. Speciation serves as
the biodiversity pump while extinction serves as
the agent that rejects global to local levels of
biodiversity.
 Linking these central processes to global and local
patterns of biodiversity is a key challenge in both
ecology and evolution.
 HOTSPOTS OF BIODIVERSITY
 The earth’s biodiversity is distributed in specific ecological
regions. There are over a thousand major eco-regions 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.
 Global species Diversity (Plants)

Global species diversity Group No. of Described Species

Bacteria and blue-green algae 4,760
Fungi 46,983
Algae 26,900
Bryophytes (Mosses and Liverworts) 17,000
Gymnosperms (Conifers) 750
Angiosperms (Flowering plants) 250,000

Source: From ‘Conserving the World’s Biological Diversity WRI, IUCN, CI,
WWF-US, The World Bank.’
 Global species Diversity (Animals)
Global species diversity Group No. of Described Species
Protozoans 30,800
Sponges 5,000
Corals and Jellyfish 9,000
Roundworms and earthworms 24,000
Crustaceans 38,000
Insects 751,000
other arthropods and minor Invertebrates 132,461
Molluscs 50,000
Starfish 6,100
Fishes (Teleosts) 19,056
Amphibians 4,184
Reptiles 6,300
Birds 9,198
Mammals 4,170
Total: 1,435,662 SPECIES
Local disturbance factors include agricultural
activity, erosion, grazing
 Activities related to agriculture when performed irrationally
and without considering the biodiversity of the particular
area cause huge damage for the future.
 Certain natural calamities/ Natural Disasters like Tornadoes
and Severe Storms, Hurricanes and Tropical Storms, floods,
Wildfires, Earthquakes, Drought and even volcanic eruption
cause immense damage to the biodiversity.
 Even at certain places volcanic eruptions may completely
cull the marine biodiversity of the area for all time to come.
 Hotspots classified according to Continents
North and Central America
 California Floristic Province
 Madrean Pine-oak woodlands
 Caribbean Island
 Mesoamerica
 North American Coastal Plain
South America
 Cerrado
 Tropical Andes
 Atlantic Forest
 Chilean Winter Rainfall-
Valdivian Forests
 Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena
Asia-Pacific
 Eastern Himalay
 Western Ghats, India: Srilanka
 Indo-Burma India, and
Myanmar
 New Caledonia
 New Zealand
 Polynesia-Micronesia
 Japan
 East Melanesian Islands
 Hotspots classified according to Continents

 Philippines Africa
 Sundaland  Coastal Forests of Africa
 Southwest Australia  Eastern Afromontane
 Eastern Australia  Guinean Forests of West
 Wallacea Africa
 Aucasus  Horn of Africa
 Irano-Anatolian  Madagascar and the Indian
Ocean Islands
 Mountains of Southwest
China  Succulent Karoo
Central Asia
 Cape Floral region
 Mountains of Central Asia
 Maputaland-Pondoland-
Albany
Europe
 Mediterranean Basin
Most Threatened Biodiversity Hotspots in the world
1. Cerrado, Brazil
The area of Cerrado in Brazil is the largest woodland savannah in South
America. It is home to 10 endemic birds that are threatened along with
4,400 endemic plant species. Some of the unique species found in Cerrado
include the giant armadillo, jaguar, and the giant anteater. The Cerrado
hotspot is now only 450,000 square kilometres in size with a reduction
from the original 2 million square kilometres before. This occurred due to
extensive land clearance for growth of crops to feed animals. Grazing is
another major reason for that clearance.
2. Himalayas
The Himalayas cover an extensive region of land including China, Myanmar,
Bhutan, Nepal, Himalaya, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. This hotspot extends
to an area of 185,427 square kilometers including various natural
landscapes such as mountains, grasslands, alpine meadows, and broadleaf
forests. Only one-fourth of the original area now remains. The Himalaya
hotspot houses incredible species such as tigers, vultures, elephants, and
buffalos, but they now face a persistent threat of extinction.
Most Threatened Biodiversity Hotspots in the world
3. Polynesia-Micronesia, Southern Pacific Ocean
The hotspot covers an area of 41,285 kilometers and includes coral atolls,
coastal wetlands, savannas, and tropical rainforests. Conservation
international describes Polynesia-Micronesia hotspot as the “epicenter of
the present global extinction crisis” with 90 endemic birds being threatened
and 25 birds already extinct in the last two centuries as a result
of overhunting invasive species and other reasons of wildlife endangerment.
4. Atlantic Forest – Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay
The hotspots have 20,000 species of plants, out of which 8,000 are endemic
to the region. It also has about 950 birds and many other endangered
species. The black-faced Lion Tamarin is among the many species
endangered in the Atlantic Forests. The biological hotspot was once covered
with 1.2 million square kilometers, but sadly sugar and coffee plantations
have gone on to destroy these forests, leaving behind less than 100,000
square kilometers (8% of the original habitat). The pressure to provide fresh
water supply, cattle ranching, and urbanization have also contributed to the
continued ravaging of these forests.
Most Threatened Biodiversity Hotspots in the world
5. Indo-Burma – Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, China
This hotspot is home to 7,000 endemic plant species that include
many other species that are said to be threatened; such as 35
amphibians, 25 mammals, and 10 birds. Over 2.2 million square
kilometers of the original habitat is now lost. This means that only 5%
of the habitat remains now. Even now, new species are being
discovered such as the Annamite Striped rabbit as well as the large-
antlered muntjac.
6. Philippines, Pacific Ocean
Among the richest area of global biodiversity hotspots are 7100
islands of the Pacific. Only 7% of this habitat is remaining. By having
such extensive coverage over the planet, the ecological hotspot
inhabits 6,000 endemic species and an indefinite number of bird
species including Cebu flowerpecker and the Philippine Eagle.
Vegetation here is mostly tropical and sub-tropical.
Most Threatened Biodiversity Hotspots in the world
7. Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands, Mexico
Originally, the hotspot was located in the mountainous area and extended
up to 461,265 square kilometers across Mexico and also a portion of
southern USA. However, due to extreme logging being carried out has led
to an 80% loss of woodland’s original natural cover. Roughly 4,000 species
of endemic plants are left on the Madrean Pine-Oak Woodland, with the
ecological hotspot being widely known for being a region consisting of
millions of monarch butterflies that seasonally fly around the region.
8. Coastal Forests, Eastern Africa
The biodiversity hotspot that makes up the coastal forests, contains a
remarkably high degree of biodiversity extending throughout the thin
corridor along with the eastern coast of Somalia, Kenya, Mozambique, and
Tanzania. The area is home to Tana River mangabey, the Tana River red
colobus, and the red colobus of Zanzibar. All three of these are said to be
highly endangered primates. The cause for continued degradation and
destruction of the area is said to be due to excessive agriculture expansion
for farming.
Most Threatened Biodiversity Hotspots in the world
9. Cape Floral Region, South Africa
The Cape floral region is located in the Western Cape and is reported to be
the biological hotspot which boasts the planet’s largest concentration of
diverse plant species per square-kilometer. Even the Amazon cannot
compare to the Cape floral region, which has about 9,000 diverse plant
species and nearly 1,435 of these plant species have now been cited as
threatened and about 6,210 are endemic to the region. The Cape floral
region also provides a habitat for cape sugar-bird and geometric tortoise.
10. Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica is located across Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El
Salvedor, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Mesoamerica is a biodiversity
hotspot that is tropical as well as sub-tropical. The ecosystem is known to
be incredibly bio-diverse in terms of endemic mammals, birds, and
amphibians. They also host more than 17,000 plant species. Mesoamerica is
habitat to quetzal and the howler monkey. This ecological hotspot used to
be 1 million square kilometers but now has shrunk to only 226,000 square
kilometers.
PLEASE WAIT …..
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