BIODIVERSITY

• The term Biodiversity was first coined by Walter G.

Rosen in 1986.
• The biosphere comprises of a complex collections of
innumerable organisms, known as the Biodiversity,
which constitute the vital life support for survival of
human race.
• Biological diversity, abbreviated as biodiversity is the
variety of all life forms: the different plants, animals and
micro- organisms, their genes and the ecosystems of
which they are a part
BIO – LIFE
DIVERSITY – VARIETY
• increases the stability of an ecosystem and contributes
to the health of the biosphere.
TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY
TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY
Genetic diversity-
the variety of genes or inheritable
characteristics present in a
population
Eg: Chihuahuas, beagles, and
Rottweiler's are all dogs— but they're
not the same because their genes are
different.
Species Diversity-
the number of different species
and the relative
abundance of each species in a
biological community.
eg, monkeys, dragonflies, and
meadow
beauties are all different species in the
same community.
TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY
Ecosystem Diversity
the variety of ecosystems that are present in the
biosphere.
Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all ecosystems.
Each one is different, with its own set of species living in it.

DISTRIBUTION OF BIODIVERSITY
• Flora and fauna diversity depends on-
o Climate
o Altitude
o Soils
o Presence of other species
• Most of the biodiversity concentrated in Tropical region.
BIODIVERSITY AND BALANCE OF NATURE
Tropic Level: Elimination of species from tropic level can cause destruction
of ecosystem as well as biodiversity
Complex Ecosystem: In a complicated ecosystem having several tropic
levels, loss of one or more spices do not cause any serious problem
because the alternative available
Keystone Species: Loss or addition of species causes detectable changes
in ecosystem rates i.e. species make unique contribution to ecosystem
functioning.
Niche Complementary: Difference among species in their requirements for
different resources will cause complementary interaction so that a species
could obtain more resources.
IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY
1. Productive value
2. Consumption value
3. Social value
4. Aesthetic value
5. Legal value
6. Ethical value
7. Ecological value
8. Economic value
BENEFITS OF BIODIVERSITY
Consumptive value: Ecological services:
• Food • Balance of nature
• Crop varieties • Biological productivity
• Agriculture • Regulation of climate
• Medicine • Degradation of waste
• Fuels • Cleaning of air and water
• Industrial material • Cycling of nutrients
• Fibre for textiles • Control of potential pest and
• Natural oils. disease causing species
• Detoxification of soil and
Non-Consumptive Value: sediments
• Recreation • Stabilization of land against
• Education and erosion
research • Carbon sequestration and
• Traditional value global climate change
• Maintenance of Soil fertility
THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity is considered as a reservoir of resources to be used
for the manufacture of food, medicine, industrial products,
etc. But with an increased demand of rapid population
growth, biodiversity is gradually depleting.
• Overexploitation
• Habitat Loss
• Habitat Fragmentation
• Pollution
• Introduced Species
• Global Climate Change.
 CAUSES OF THREATS
 Natural causes
• Climate change
• Natural calamities
• Low breeding rate
• Soil erosion
• Loss of soil fertility
• Narrow geographical area
CAUSES OF THREATS
 Anthropogenic causes
• Habitat modification
(deforestation)
• Escalating human population
• Pollution
• Deforestation
• Introduction of exotic or alien
species
• Illegal trade
• agriculture
• Over use of non renewable energy
resources
• Over exploitation of natural
resources
• Introduction of exotic species
• Poaching of wildlife
BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS:
• Hot spots are the areas with high density of biodiversity or mega diversity
which are most threatened at present.
• A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region that is both a significant
reservoir of biodiversity and is threatened with destruction.
• A region with high biodiversity with most of spices being Endemic.
• India have two Biodiversity Hotspots- East Himalayan Region and
Western Ghats.

The hot spots are determined considering four

factors:
(i) Degrees of endemism;
(ii) Degree of expectation
(iii) Degrees of threat to habitat due to its degradation and
fragmentation and
(iv)Number of Species diversity.
BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS:
• Hot spots are the areas with high density of biodiversity or mega diversity
which are most threatened at present.
• A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region that is both a significant
reservoir of biodiversity and is threatened with destruction.
• A region with high biodiversity with most of spices being Endemic.
• India have two Biodiversity Hotspots- East Himalayan Region and
Western Ghats.

The hot spots are determined considering four

factors:
(i) Degrees of endemism;
(ii) Degree of expectation
(iii) Degrees of threat to habitat due to its degradation and
fragmentation and
(iv)Number of Species diversity.
BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS IN INDIA:
1. The Western Ghats
The forests of Western Ghats have been dramatically impacted by
demands for agriculture and Timber. Region is home to rich endemic
assemblage of Plants, animals, amphibians etc.
Endemic species: these are the species found only in a particular
geographical region because of its isolation, soil and climatic conditions.
Endangered species: these are the species whose numbers are critically
low and their habitat is so drastically reduced that they are in danger of
extinction.
2. The Eastern Himalayas
World’s highest peaks K2 and Mount Everest
World’s major river systems arise from the Himalayas
10, 000 species of plants… 1/3 rd is endemic.
300 species of mammals
EXTINCT SPECIES
Extinct species- are plants or animals that once lived on Earth that have
completely disappeared.
The dodo (Raphus cucullatus) was a flightless bird endemic to the Indian Ocean island of
Mauritius. It stood about a metre (3.3 feet) tall, weighing about 20 kilograms (44 lb). The dodo
was first mentioned by Dutch sailors in 1598. By 1681, all dodos had been killed by hungry sailors
or their domesticated animals. The extinction of the bird, within 80 years of its discovery, made
people realise for the first timethat humans could induce the extinction of plants and animals.---

ENDANGERED SPECIES
An Endangered Species- is a plant or animal that is in danger of
becoming extinct.
A Threatened Species- plants or animals that may become endangered
in the near future
CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
3 basic objectives
(a) To maintain essential ecological processes and life supporting systems.
(b) To preserve the diversity of species.
(c) To make sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems.
Conservation methods
In-situ
The conservation of species in their natural habitat or natural ecosystem is known as
in situ conservation.
Advantages
• Cheap and convenient way of conserving biological diversity
• Offers a way to preserve large number of organisms simultaneously, known or
unknown to us.
Disadvantage
Requires large space of earth which is often difficult because of growing
demand for space.
The protection and management of biodiversity through in situ conservation
involve certain specific areas known as protected areas which include
1. National parks
2. Sanctuaries
3. Biosphere reserves
Ex-situ
Ex-situ conservation involves maintenance and breeding of endangered
plants and animals under partially or wholly controlled conditions.
Eg: zoological parks, botanical parks, seed bank, gene bank, nurseries
etc.
Advantages
The stresses on living organisms due to competition for food, water,
space
etc. can be avoided
It gives longer life time and breeding activity to animals.
Genetic techniques can be utilized in the process.
Disadvantage
The favorable conditions may not be maintained always.
New life forms cannot evolve.
This technique involves only limited species.
BIODIVERSITY IN INDIA
10 BIO GEOGRAPHIC ZONES IN INDIA
• Trans Himalayas
• Himalayas
• Desert
• Semi arid
• Western ghats
• Deccan
• Gangetic plain
• North east india
• Islands
• Coasts