conserve biodiversity

1. BY
Dr. BASHARAT MUSHTAQ
Ph.D. Environmental Science

2. Biodiversity
Bio = Diversity= Variety
The word BIODIVERSITY
Greek word BIOS = LIFE
Latin word DIVERSITAS = VARIETY or DIFFERENCE.
The whole word BIO DIVERSITY generally
therefore means: VARIETY OF LIFE.

3. Biodiversity can be define as full range of
variety and variability within and among
living organisms and the ecological
complexes in which they occur and
encompasses different ecosystem or
community diversity, species diversity
and genetic diversity.

5. Three levels of Biodiversity
Genetic diversity
Species diversity
Ecosystems diversity

6. Genetic diversity
It includes the genetic
variations within species,
both among geographically
separated populations and
among individuals within
single population.

7. Species diversity
It includes full range of
species from micro -
organisms to giants and
mammoth varieties of plants
and animals, e.g. single
celled viruses and bacteria
etc. and multi-cellular plants,
animals and fungi.

8. Ecosystems diversity
It studies variation in the
biological communities in
which species live, exist
and interact. Depending
upon the abiotic resources
and environmental
conditions an ecosystem
develops its characteristic
living organisms.

10. GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION OF BIODIVERSITY
FLORAAND FAUNA DIVERSITY DEPENDS ON-
CLIMATE
ALTITUDE
SOILS
PRESENCE OF OTHER SPECIES
MOST OF THE BIODIVERSITY CONCENTRATED IN
TROPICAL REGION.

11. GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY DISTRIBUTION
Initiative for Global biodiversity
assessment 1991 UNEP
Biodiversity Country Studies Project
19 studies have completed & several more
are yet to complete

12. The approach from gene to
ecosystem was initiated as a Research
Agenda for Biodiversity
Biodiversity Convention Agenda
agreed by 101 Nations and signed by
159 GOVTs

13. Presently 174 GOVTs are working on the
agenda
Global Biodiversity Assessment (1995)
between13-14 million species are known
So far only 1.75 million plant and animal
species have been discovered and described
Ecosystem diversity has not been even
reasonably explored as yet

14. The approximate number of species of different taxonomic groups, which have been identified and
described from all over the world
Group Number of species
Higher plants 270,000
Algae 40,000
Fungi 72,000
Bacteria (including Cyanobacteria) 4,000
Viruses 1,550
Mammals 4,650
Birds 9,700
Reptiles 7,150
Fish 26,959
Amphibians 4,780
Insects 1,025,000
Crustaceans 43,000
Mollusks 70,000
Nematodes and worms 25,000
Protozoa 40,000
Others 110,000

15. BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS
A REGION WITH HIGH
BIODIVERSITY WITH MOST
OF SPICES BEING ENDEMIC.
INDIA HAVE TWO
BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS-
EAST HIMALAYAN REGION
AND WESTERN GHAT.

17. India as Mega-Diversity Nation
Geological events in the landmass of India have provided conditions
for high levels of biological diversity.
Country of vast biodiversity in the world and quite a significant one
all over the globe.
India's biogeographical composition is unique as it combines living
forms from three major biogeographical realms, namely - Eurasian,
Agro-Tropical and Indo-Malayan.

18. India’s strategies for conservation and sustainable
utilization of biodiversity aimed at providing
special status and protection to biodiversity rich
areas by declaring them as national parks, Wildlife
sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, ecologically fragile
and sensitive areas.
Such strategies has helped in reducing pressure
from reserve forests by alternative measures of fuel
wood and fodder need satisfaction

20. Major facts of India as mega diversity nation
India has 16 major types and 251 subtypes of
forests.
Indigenous medicine systems utilize nearly 6,500
native plants for both human and animal
healthcare.
In 252 B.C., the Emperor Asoka established
protected areas (PAs) for mammals, birds, fish and
forests through a proclamation. Jim Corbett
National Park covering an area of 325 sq km being
as the India’s first and world’s third National Park
in 1936.

21. India has currently 4.79 % of total
geographic area under an
elaborate network of Protected
Areas, which includes:
 99 National Parks,
513 wildlife sanctuaries,
 43 conservation reserves,
 4 community reserves and
3 biodiversity heritage sites.

22. India's fabulous biodiversity
45,000 plant species representing about seven percent of the world's flora;
 Animal life represents 6.5 per cent of world's fauna.
15,000 species of flowering plants,
53,430 species of insects;
 5050 species of molluscs,
6,500 species of other invertebrates;
 2,546 species of fishes;
1228 species of birds,
 446 species of reptiles,
 372 species of mammals and 204 species of amphibians have been identified.

23. 25 clearly defined and identified 'hot spots' are present in world which
support about 50,000 endemic plant species, comprising 20 per cent of the
world's total flora. India's defined location of 'hot spots' is the Western
Ghats and the Northeastern regions.

24. Values of
biodiversi
ty
Direct
values
Indirect
values

25. Consumptive Use
Productive Use
Medicine
Ecological Benefits
Aesthetic Use
Cultural Benefits
Option Values
Direct values

26. Indirect Values
1. Carbon fixing through photosynthesis, which provides the support
system for species.
2. Pollination, gene flow, etc.
3. Maintaining water cycles, recharging ground water, protecting
watersheds.
4. Buffering from climatic extreme conditions such as flood and drought;
5. Soil production and protection from erosion
6. Maintaining essential nutrient cycles, e.g. carbon, nitrogen, and
oxygen and others.

27. 7. Absorbing and decomposing pollutants, organic
wastes, pesticides, air and water pollutants;
8. Regulating climate at both macro and micro
levels;
9. Preserving recreational, aesthetic, socio-
cultural, scientific, educational, ethical and
historical values of natural environments