Biodiversity Its Conservation Dr S Umamaheswari Assistant Professor
Biodiversity & Its Conservation Dr. S. Umamaheswari Assistant Professor M. TECH Class Notes IV UNIT
INTRODUCTION ü The term Biodiversity was first coined by Walter G. Rosen in 1986. ü 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. ü Biological diversity, abbreviated as biodiversity, represent the sum total of various life forms such as unicellular fungi, protozoa, bacteria, and multi cellular
Levels of Biodiversity Genetic Species Ecosystem • Genes within same species show variation • E. g. Colour & sizes of Rose • Represents species richness & abundance in a community • No. of plants, animals, birds in an area. • Diversity in complex systems in physical, ecological, food web, nutrient cycling • Diversity in forest
Values of Biodiversity v. It is in terms of commercial utility, ecological services, social & aesthetic Values v. Given by Mc. Neely et al. 1990.
Consumptive use Value v. In the form of food, drugs, fibre pulp, fuel, wood fall under this group v. Food: 80, 000 edible plants species are there. v About 90% of present day food crops have been domesticated from wild plants v A large number of wild animals are also source of food. v. Drugs & Medicines: 75% world’s population is dependent on plants or plant extracts for medicines v Isabgol- cure for bowel disorder obtained from husk of Plantago. v Penicillin- A wonder drug – used as Antibiotic – Fungus Penicillium v Tetracyclin- from bacterium , Quinine – from Cinchona Tree- medicine for Malaria, Digitalin- from foxglove- for Heart Ailments , vinblastin & vincristine – Anti-Cancer Alkaloids v. Fuel: big source of fuel wood. Firewood collected by individuals are direct consumptive value
Productive Use Values üThese are commercially usable values where the product is marketed & sold üMusk Deer- production of Musk , Silk Worm- Silk, wool from sheep, lac from insects. ü Many industries are dependent on these products, e. g. pulp & paper industry, silk industry, ivory work, pearl industry, leather industry. üProblems--- trading of products from endangered species. üE. g smuggling of fur, horns, tusk, Snake Skin, cat skins. üRich biodiversity are exploited. Social Values Ø Values associated with social life, customs, religion and pyscho-spiritual aspects of the people Ø Many plants are considered holy & sacred. Eg. Tulsi, mango, peepal etc. Social life, songs, dances, customs are woven with rrounding wildlife
Ethical Value ü “All Life must be preserved” based on “Live and let live”. üThis means we don’t use the species directly or indirectly, but we feel sorry about the loss of a species. üE. g. Passenger Pigeon or Dodo üThey have a existence value Aesthetic Value Ø It is related to the beauty of Biodiversity ØThe pleasure, excitement and visual peace of any area ØConcept of Eco-tourism and willingness to pay are gaining grounds, leading to monetary estimate for aesthetic value of biodiversity
Option Value • This includes the potentials of biodiversity that are presently unknown and need to be explored. • This biological resources will be of importance in future if not today • Eg. Marine animals – anti cancer drugs Ecosystem Value ü It refers to ecosystem services, it is a non-consumptive value. üFunctions of ecosystems- nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixation, cycling of water. Etc.
India – as a Mega-Diversity Nation üEndemism- species which are restricted only to a particular area. Eg. 50% Lizards are endemic to India. Western Ghats are the site of maximum endemism. üCenter of origin: Nearly 5000 species of flowering plants, 166 species of cropping plants and 320 species of wild relatives of cultivated crops have their origin in India. üMarine Diversity: India has 7500 Km long coastline having (mangroves, estuaries, coral reefs, black waters) rich biodiversity. ØMore than 340 species of corals are found in India ØRich in Mollusks, crustaceans, polychaetes, corals Ø 93 major wetlands, Large Forest Cover.
Global Biodiversity ü Currently about 1. 9 million species are known, ü Thought to be a significant underestimate of the total number of species (as of 2010). ü 0 -30 million insects; ü 5 -10 million bacteria; ü 1. 5 million fungi; ü 1 million mites ü 3, 212 – Plants Ø 1, 367, 555 animals, including: 1, 305, 250 invertebrates , 62305 vertebrates
Cont. . v 50 to 80% of Biodiversity is in rain forests. v. Deserts show minimum biodiversity v Many species are identified everyday and List goes on increasing v Marine biodiversity is extremely high. v 1, 25, 000 flowering plant species are in Tropical forests v Roughly 1. 5 million species are known till date which may be just 15% of actual number.
Biodiversity at National Level (Indian) üIndia is one of the 12 mega diversity countries of the world. 2. 4% of the land area, accounting for 7 -8% of the species of the world. ü 10 th among plant rich countries ü 11 th in number of endemic species of higher vertebrates ü 6 th in terms of centres of diversity Ministry of Environment and Forests records (as of 2000) v 47000 plants: 7% of global. v 91000 species of mammals: 6. 5% of global. v. Large numbers have ENDEMIC - ORIGINATED in India v 5000 flowering plants. . v 340 corals
Biogeographical Regions of India
Hotspots of Biodiversity üA biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans. üAreas which exhibit high species richness as well as endemism are termed as Hotspots of Biodiversity. üMyers introduced this term, at that time 25 Hotspots were identified out of which 2 were in India. Later 9 were added more bringing a total to 34. üAbout 40% terrestrial & 25 % vertebrate are endemic found in this hotspots üAfter tropical rain forests the second highest number endemic species are found in Mediterranean
Biodiversity Hotspots
List of Hotspots Sr. No Name of Hotspots Sr. No Name of Hotspots 1 Tropical Andes 20 Indo-Burma 2 Mesoamerican Forests 21 South Central China 3 Caribbean 22 Western Ghats 4 Brazil’s Atlantic Forest 23 South-Western Australia 5 Choc/Darien of Panama Western Ecuador 24 New Caledonia 6 Brazil’s Cerrado 25 New Zealand 7 Central Chile 26 Polynesia/Micronesia 8 California Floristic Province 27 The Madrean Pine-Oak woodlands 9 Madagascar 28 Maputaland-Pondoland Albany 10 Eastern Arc & Coastal forest of Tanzania/ Kenya 29 The eastern Afromontane 11 Western African Forest 30 The Horn Africa 12 Cape Floristic Province 31 The Irano-Anatolian 13 Succulent Karoo 32 The Muntains of Central Asia 14 Mediterranean Basin 33 Eastern Himalaya 15 Caucasus 34 Japan 16 Sundaland 35 East Melanesiaan Islands
Eastern Himalayas ØMany deep and isolated valleys in Sikkim. Ø 35, 000 recorded flora endemic to Himalayas Ø 4250 species in Sikkim of which 60% endemic Ø Sapria himalayana: a parasitic angiosperm seen only twice in last 70 years
Western Ghats v 17000 km 2 strip of forests v 20% forest Evergreen and semi-evergreen v 4 states: Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu v 40% endemic plants v 62% amphibians v 50% lizards v Agastyamalai hills, Silent Valley, New Ambamalam Reserve basin v. U NDER ALARMING THREAT
INDO-BURMA üEast of Ganges – Brahmaputra lowland üIndian states of Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland, South Assam. üOne of the most densely forested regions of the country ü 13, 500 species of plants out of which 7000 endemic ü 1260 species of birds ü 430 mammals
Threats to biodiversity Anthropogenic causes üLoss of habitat üPoaching üMan- Animal conflict üIntroduction of exotic varieties üPollution üGlobal warming and Climate change Natural causes üNarrow geographical area üLow population üLow breeding rate üNatural disasters
Loss of habitat ØContinuous increase in human population and escalating demand for our natural resources ØConversion of forested land to agriculture. ØLoss of habitat to grazing land, industries, roads and cities. ØHabitat loss leads to the formation of isolated, small, scattered populations. ØThese small populations are increasingly vulnerable to inbreeding, which causes loss of gene pool, high infant mortality and susceptible to environmental changes, which all may lead to extinction of the species.
Poaching ü Hunting for various body parts. ü Illegal trade of skins, tusks, hair, horns ü Many animals fall prey to various traps ü International market very active Tibet, China üTiger skins, elephant tusks etc üCost is very less.
Endangered species of India ü According to the Red Data Book of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are 47 critically endangered species in India ü The number of endangered species in India accounts for around 8. 86 % of the world`s mammals. The mammals are extended over 186 genera, 45 families and 13 orders out of which around 89 species are listed as threatened in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals (IUCN 2006).
Extinct Species Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus ssp. venaticus) ü Extinct in India since 1949. ü It lives in open semi-arid grassland, savannah, scrub or isolated low hillocks amidst plains ü Fastest animal on land can achieve terrific speeds of 115 -120 km/h ü Drier parts of southwestern and central Asia to India. In the past, the species used to occur in northern and central India. ü Presently extinct in India; now found in USSR and in northeastern Iran as scattered survivor. ü Main cause of extinction of this magnificent ü cat was destruction of habitat due to ü increase in human habitation and ü overgrazing by domestic stock
Pink Headed Duck (Rhodonessa caryophyllacea) ü Size of a domestic duck. 60 cm in length. ü Its bill was reddish pink, eyes red orange and its feet dark with a red tint. It was not only unique in having a pink head and neck, but was also the only duck to lay perfectly spherical eggs which looked like unpolished billiard balls. ü Its habitat was tall grassland, floodplains and small lakes and ponds. ü This bird was shy and secretive, and was rarely seen. ü Resident of northern and northeastern India (Orissa, Bihar,
Endangered Flora Western Flytrap (Ceropegia fantastica) “Critically Endangered” üA slender twiner that grows in open semi-evergreen forests among bushes on latertic soil üDistribution: Endemic to Western Ghats. üStatus: Critically endangered as it has been threatened by habitat loss and absence of any conservation measures undertaken.
Dalzell’s Frerea (Frerea indica) “Endangered” Introduction: ü A rare, endangered and endemic plant, originally found by Nicole Alexander Dalzell on a hill near Junnar where now it survives in very limited numbers. ü It has not been seen in other similar habitats in the adjoining hilly areas, which are being denuded and eroded. ü The species grows on exposed bare rocks of hill slopes and cliffs. ü Distribution: Being locally endemic, it is found in Junnar and Purandhare Hills, Pune District, Maharashtra. ü Status: Besides being endemic and rare, it has also been declared as one of the world’s 12 endangered species listed by the IUCN.
Endangered Fauna Tiger (Panthera tigris) ü Our national animal, graceful, royal, elegant. ü It lives in varied habitat like dry open jungles, humid evergreen forests and mangrove swamps. ü Distribution: Found practically throughout India except the deserts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and higher reaches of Himalayas. The number of tigers is negligible in Goa, Haryana, Tripura and Manipur. ü Status: At present 1706. ü Illegal poaching and loss of ü habitat have endangered the tiger. ü Project Tiger in 1973.
Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo) “Critically Endangered” v A large powerfully built cat. v Distribution: A little over 100 years ago, the Asiatic Lion ranged from western Iran to eastern India. During the 19 th century, it was reported in India from Gujarat to Bihar. v However, by the second half of the 20 th century it had been wiped out of its entire range except Sasan Gir in Gujarat. v There are just 359 individuals left alive in India. v The main threats are poaching, loss of habitat to agriculture, decline in number of prey species overgrazing by domestic stock and others.
Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) “Endangered” ü Elephants are forest animals requiring a shady environment but having free access to grasses, an important part of their diet and water. ü Distribution: In India, they are found in northern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, northeastern India, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. ü 26, 390 -30, 770 are found in India ü The major threat to elephant populations in India is the degradation and fragmentation of its habitat because of the human population explosion and consequent development. ü Poaching of elephants for ivory is still a serious problem in India. As only male
Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur) • It is an inhabitant of salt encrusted flats (on which almost nothing grows) dotted with a few scattered islands or bets, which are the only source of vegetation. • It is restricted to a small area in the Little Rann and other places in Gujarat (Wild Ass Sanctuary in Gujarat) • 3, 900 individuals in 2004. • One of the threats is the Surra disease, which is spread by domestic animals
Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) “Endangered” ü Distribution: Endemic to India and is known to occur in the Western Ghats from North Kanara southwards to Kerala and Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. ü Status: Today, less than 2500 mature individuals are surviving ü The shrinkage of habitat has brought about a considerable decrease in the population of this macaque. Diversion of forests for large irrigation, power and mining projects and extension of roads are not only responsible for the loss of habitat but have even opened up inaccessible areas to human beings. üModified land use for agriculture, extension of coffee and tea plantations and replacement of endemic forest trees by exotic species like eucalyptus and wattle are the major factors for the reduction in its numbers. üSome locals are also killing it for fur trade and the supposed aphrodisiac and
CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY ü Protecting the loss of Biodiversity. ü Both in situ and ex situ methods of biodiversity conservation are equally important. ü It is now recognized that ex situ techniques can be efficiently used to complement in situ methods, and they may represent the only option for conserving certain highly endangered and rare species (Ramsay et al. , 2000). ü Preserving the habitat is the most important issue in the conservation of biodiversity. ü Since chemical pesticides are responsible for a large number of animal deaths occurring every year, minimizing the use of chemical pesticides 34
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION 1. IN SITU � BIO SPHERE RESERVES � NATIONAL PARKS � TIGER RESERVES � WILD LIFE SANCTUARIES 2. EX SITU � SELECTION OF SUPERIOR GERM PLASM � FIELD GENE BAKS � BOTANICAL GARDENS � EXPERIMENTAL GARDEN
PROTECTED AREAS (PAs) � The PAs are constituted and governed under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, which has been amended from time to time, with the changing ground realities concerning wildlife crime control and PAs management. � Implementation of this Act is further complemented by other Acts viz. � Indian Forest Act, 1972, � Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, � Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and � Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and � The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. � In order to strengthen and synergize global wildlife conservation efforts, India is a member to major international conventions viz. � Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES), � International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), � International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, UNESCO-World
Protected Areas • Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological and/or cultural values. • There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international organizations involved. • "protected area" also includes Marine Protected Areas, the boundaries of which will include some area of ocean, and Transboundary Protected Areas that overlap multiple countries which remove the borders inside the area for conservation and economic purposes. • Protected areas are essential for biodiversity conservation. • India has 668 PA’s with a total area of 1, 61, 221. 57 sq. km i. e 4. 9% of total geographical area
STATE WISE DETAILSOF THE PROTECTED AREA NETWORK OF INDIA 9 SOURCE : http: //www. moef. nic. in/downloadspubl ic-informationprotected-area-network
TAMIL NADU 10
In situ Protected Areas v BIO SPHERE RESERVES v NATIONAL PARKS v TIGER RESERVES v WILD SANCTUARIES LIFE 11
BIO SPHERE RESERVE ü A biosphere reserve is an area proposed by its habitats, ratified by a national committee, and designated by UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) program in 1971, which demonstrates innovative approaches to living and working in harmony with nature. ü The term ‘biosphere’ refers to All of the land, water and atmosphere that supply life on earth. ü The word ‘reserve’ means that it is a Special area recognized for balancing conservation with sustainable 12 use. ü Each biosphere reserve demonstrates practical
Biosphere reserves of India The Indian government has established 18 Biosphere Reserves in India, which protect larger areas of natural habitat (than a National Park or Animal Sanctuary), and often include one or more National Parks and/or preserves, along buffer zones that are open to some economic uses.
NATIONAL PARKS ü A national park is a park in use for conservation purposes. ü National Park is an area faunal, floral, having adequate ecological, geomorphological, natural or zoological significance. ü The National Park is declared for the purpose of protecting propagating or developing wildlife or its environment. ü Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently, there is a common idea: the conservation of wild nature for posterity and as a symbol of national pride. üFurthermore, an international organization, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and its World Commission Protected Areas, has defined "National Park" as its Category II type of protected areas. üNational parks are almost always open to visitors. üMost national parks provide outdoor recreation and camping opportunities as well as 43 classes designed to educate the public on the importance of conservation and
NATIONAL PARKS VS WILD LIFE SANCTUARY NATIONAL PARKS ü In a National Park no rights are allowed. ü No grazing of any livestock shall also be permitted inside a National Park. ü While In addition, from a National Park requires recommendation of the National Board for Wildlife WILD LIFE SANCTUARY ü Certain rights can be allowed. ü In a Sanctuary, the Chief Wildlife Warden may regulate, control or prohibit it. ü While any removal or exploitation of wildlife or forest produce from a Sanctuary requires recommendation of the State Board for Wildlife, removal etc. ,
WILD LIFE SANCTUARIES v A wildlife refuge, also called a wildlife sanctuary, is a naturally occurring sanctuary, such as an island, that provides protection for species from hunting, predation or competition, it is a protected area, a geographic territory within which wildlife is protected. v IUCN Category IV Protected Area. v Such wildlife refuges are generally officially designated territories. v It is created by government legislation, publicly or privately owned. 18 v The Chernobyl nuclear accident site has accidentally become a
Gene Sanctuaries ü The genetic diversity is sometimes conserved under natural habitat. ü In other words, areas of great genetic diversity are protected from human interference ü Gene sanctuary is generally established in the center of diversity or microcenter. ü India has setup its first gene sanctuary in the Garo Hills of Assam for wild relatives of citrus. ü Efforts are also being made to setup gene sanctuaries for banana, sugarcane, rice and Mango.
Gene Plasm üGene banks are also known as germplasm banks. ü Gene bank refers to a place or organization where germplasm can be conserved in living state. ü Germplasm are stored in the form of seeds, pollen or in vitro cultures or in the case of a field gene bank, as plants growing in the field. Gene banks are mainly of two types : 1) Seed gene banks and 2) Field gene banks
FIELD GENE BANKS v. Field gene banks or living collections are the main conservation strategy for v long-lived perennials, recalcitrant species and vegetative propagated species. v Furthermore, out-breeders require controlled pollination for regeneration from seed. v When displayed, the plants have an important educational value and can easily be accessed for research purposes. v Field gene bank is one of the techniques in the strategy for plant genetic conservation. v It is an ex situ method where genetic variation is maintained away from its original location and samples of a species, subspecies or variety are transferred and conserved as living collections. v Field gene bank is the most common method of conserving 29
Seed Gene Bank ü A place where germplasm is conserved in the form of seeds is called seed gene bank. ü Seeds are very convenient for storage because they occupy smaller space than whole plants. ü However, seeds of all crops can not be stored at low temperature in the seed banks. ü The germplasm of only orthodox species can be conserved in seed banks. In the seed banks, there are three types of conservation, viz. 1) Short term, 2) Medium term and 3) Long term. ü Base collections are conserved for long term (50 years or more) at 18 or 20°C.
In vitro Storage Methods ü The storage of germplasm in laboratory conditions (in vitro) is specially suited for the long-term conservation of recalcitrant species and vegetatively propagated species. ü They conditions can be stored atlow temperature under slow growth or cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen at -196ºC. ü Cryopreservation has so far been successful with only a relatively few species but is a very promising development for long-term storage (WCMC, 1992). ü The main limitation of in vitro storage is the need for special equipment, techniques and trained staff. ü However, more research is necessary to define the mechanisms of desiccation and chilling injury and to investigate methods of alleviating it
DNA Banks v The creation of a network of DNA banks is ex situ conservation and more precisely germplasm collections can allow large quantities of genetic resources (genes, DNA) to be stored quickly and at low cost and could act as an insurance policy against rapid loss of the world's gene pool. v It could be used in molecular phylogenetic and systematics of extinct taxa and genes can be distributed via the polypeptide chain reaction (PCR) using primers supplied by the users (Adams et al. , 1994). v DNA samples have been mainly used for bio-prospecting and assessment of biodiversity studies. v Its use in conservation is limited as whole plants cannot be reconstituted from DNA but the genetic material can be introduced to other genotypes for plant breeding and enhancement purposes.
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