Biodiversity Lite Flashcards
Biodiversity
It is the sum total of the number of species of plants, animals and micro-organisms inhabiting a particular defined area or habitat
Types of biodiversity
- Species diversity
- Genetic diversity
- Ecosystem diversity
Species diversity
Variety of
species within a region. ExampleWestern Ghats have different species
of Amphibians.
genetic diversity
Variation of
genes within species. Example- India
has 1000 genetically different strains of
Mango.
Ecosystem diversity
Ecosystem
with different landforms that support
different and specific vegetation.
Example- Xerophytes and Mesophytes
(Plants), Arboreal, Curssorial, Fussorial
(Animals)
NEED FOR SPECIES DIVERSITY
❖ Narrowly utilitarian- Humans derive
food, fodder, fuel, fertilizer and fiber which
is also economically beneficial.
❖ Broadly utilitarian- Forests provide
Oxygen
Carbon sinks
Rainfall
Forest canopy
Pollination
Aesthetic pleasure
❖ Ethical- Every species has the right to live
on Earth. It is the moral duty to take care
of their well-being and believe in coexistence
CAUSES OF LOSS OF
BIODIVERSITY
❖ Habitat loss and Fragmentation
❖ Pet trade
❖ Alien-Species Invasion
❖ Co-extinction
In-situ conservation
Conservation of animal/plant species in their natural habitat
E.g. Biosphere reserve, National park, wildlife sanctuary, sacred groves
biosphere
reserve
A site recognized by UNESCO for conservation of flora and fauna with distinct zonation
Sunderbans Biosphere
Reserve, West Bengal
National Park
Conservation site governed by National Government.
Grazing, Forestry and cultivation is not permitted
Jim Corbett National Park,
Uttarakhand
Wildlife
Sanctuary
Conservation especially of fauna. Harvesting of
timber is permitted without interfering with the welfare
of animals.
Annamalai Sanctuary, Tamil
Nadu
Sacred groves
Tracts of forested land conserved on the basis of religious beliefs
Khasi hills of meghalaya
Ex-situ conservation
Conservation of animal/plant species away from their natural habitat
- Captive breeding
- Zoological park
- Botanical garden
- Cryopreservation
- Wildlife safari
- Seed bank
Captive breeding
It is the breeding of animal species (rare/
endangered) in captivity
Bengal tiger breeding in
captivity
Zoological park
it is an establishment which maintains a collection of plant/animal species for study, conservation and display to the public
Rajiv Gandhi zoological park pune
Botanical Garden
It is an establishment where plant species are grown for scientific study and display to the public
Empress Garden, Pune
Cryopreservation
Preservation at -196 degree C in liquid nitrogen
Embryo, seeds, cells,
tissue
Wildlife safari
It is also called a wildlife park. It is a commercial
area of conservation with a drive-in tourist attraction
San Diego Safari Park,
California
Seed Bank
It stores seeds for genetic diversity
Kew’s Millennium Seed
Bank- England
in situ advantages
❑ Species and its habitat is
conserved.
❑ Larger population can be
conserved.
❑ Helps increase in population
density
in situ disadvantages
❑ Difficult to control poaching
❑ Monitoring Prey-Predator ratio
❑ Difficult to monitor diseases and
distress.
❑ Can lead to inbreeding and loss of
genetic diversity
❑ Economic constraints
ex situ advantages
❑ Restore the population from a
threatened habitat
❑ When population size of a specific
species reduces at an alarming
rate, captive breeding is the only
solution.
❑ Health is monitored and disease is
treated
ex situ disadvantages
❑ Conservation is restricted to
smaller population.
❑ Living in a habitat away from their
natural habitat
❑ Economic constraints in creating
and managing the environment.
❑ Lack of staff who understands the
flora and fauna.
❑ Lack of scientific knowledge.
RAMSAR SITES
These are wetlands of International importance.
United Kingdom has the largest number of Ramsar sites (170).
Wetlands are the most threatened ecosystems in India.
Example- Chilka lake, Odisha
HOTSPOTS
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with
significant levels of biodiversity that is threatened by human
habitation.
Example- Madagascar
RED DATA BOOK
The Red Data Book is the state document established for
documenting rare and endangered species of animals, plants
and fungi as well as some local sub-species that exist within the
territory of the state or country
❑ EARTH SUMMIT
Also called as The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development(UNCED).
PLACE: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
YEAR: 1992
earth summit agenda
AGENDA: Issued addressed are:
Systematic scrutiny of production of toxic components like lead in gasoline and radioactive
chemicals around the world.
Alternate source of energy to replace fossil fuels.
Public transport systems to reduce vehicle emissions.
Monitor usage and supply of water
earth summit result
Agenda 21(sustainable development),
Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, The Statement of Forested Principles
❑ WORLD SUMMIT on Sustainable Development
PLACE: Johannesburg, South Africa
YEAR: 2002
AGENDA: Setting deadlines for Poverty eradication, Health, water and sanitation, Agriculture,
Fisheries, Energy, Biodiversity and Climate change
