BIODIVERSITY

2. Biodiversity- An
overview
Biodiversity
• What is Biodiversity? Biodiversity Definition.
• Levels of biodiversity – Genetic, Species,
Ecosystem.
• Values of biodiversity
• Factors responsible for loss /reduction in
biodiversity
• Bio-geographical Classification Of India
• Hotspots: Areas of High species richness and
Endemism
• Threats related to habitat loss
• Poaching of wildlife
• Man-wildlife conflicts
• Conservation of biodiversity.

3. DEFINITION: BiodiversityDEFINITION: Biodiversity
The term coined by Water G. Rosen in
1986.
• Biologists most often define "biological diversity"Biologists most often define "biological diversity"
or "biodiversity" as the "or "biodiversity" as the "totality of genes, species,totality of genes, species,
and ecosystems of a regionand ecosystems of a region".".
• It refers to the variety and variabilityIt refers to the variety and variability
among all groups of living organismsamong all groups of living organisms
and the ecosystem complexes in whichand the ecosystem complexes in which
they occur.they occur.
• The biodiversity found on Earth :
many millions over the 3.5 billion years of evolution.
• Only 1.7 million species have been identified
so far.

4. Biomes
• Biomes are in part defined based on factors such as
– plant structures (such as trees, shrubs and
grasses),
– leaf types (such as broadleaf and needle leaf), plant
spacing (forest, woodland, savanna)
– Climate.
– Unlike ecozones, biomes are not defined by
genetic, taxonomic or historical similarities. Biomes
are often identified with particular patterns of
ecological succession and climax vegetation.
– A fundamental classification of biomes is
• Terrestrial (land) biomes
• Freshwater biomes
• Marine biomes

5. millions of species on
eArth

6. indiA Among the 12 megA-
diversity countries of the
world
• Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India, records
– 45,000 different plant species & 81,000 animal species
which is 7% and 6.5% respectively of global flora and Fauna.
– 18,000 flowering plants (out of 400 families, 315 in India)
– 16 different agro climatic zones
– 10 vegetative zones
– 2564 bryophytes-Non vascular bundles Eg. Lichens, Mosses,
hornworts
– 1022 Pteridophytes-Seedless plants Eg. Fern
– 64 Gymnosperrms- seed bearing plants Eg. Pine, cedar,
spruce
• 30 million micro-organisms
• 850 Bacteria, 23,000 fungi
• 1,600 lichens & 2,500 algae
• Birds: 1228
• Mammals: 372

7. Biodiversity As nAtionAl level
• Biodiversity as National level:
• India has rich biodiversity of flora & fauna.
• Overall 6% of global species are found in India.
• India ranks 10th among the plant rich country of
the world.
• 11th in terms of number of endemic species of
higher vertebrates.
• 6th
among the centers of diversity & origin of
Agricultural crops
• Flowering Plants: 1,70,000,Vertibrates: 30,000
– Other group of species: 2,50,000.

9. Importance of BIodIversIty
• Biodiversity has contributed in many ways :
• To the development of human culture and,
• Human communities have played a major role in shaping
the diversity.
• At least 40 % of the world’s economy and 80 % of the needs
of the poor are derived from biological resources.
• Economic role of Biodiversity
– Food, Fiber, Shelter, , Fuel etc.
– Goods: Timber, Paper,
– Pharmaceuticals: Penicillin, Cinchona, Digitalis, Vinca,
Atropine etc
– Rubber, paper, Cotton.
– Recreation: Wild-life tourism, Trekking nature
photography.

10. functIons of
BIodIversIty
the two maIn functIons of BIodIversIty
are
– It Is the source of specIes on whIch
the human compete depends for food,
fIBer, shelter, fuel, medIcIne etc
– It depends on the BIosphere, whIch In
turn leads to the staBIlIty In
clImate, water, soIl, aIr and the
overall health of BIosphere.

11. Levels of biodiversityLevels of biodiversity
• The traditional three levels at whichThe traditional three levels at which
biological variety has beenbiological variety has been
identified as the followingidentified as the following
–Genetic DiversityGenetic Diversity
–Species DiversitySpecies Diversity
–Ecosystem DiversityEcosystem Diversity
Types of Biodiversity

12. Genetic diversityGenetic diversity
• Genetic diversityGenetic diversity is a level ofis a level of
biodiversitybiodiversity that refers to the totalthat refers to the total
number ofnumber of geneticgenetic characteristics in thecharacteristics in the
genetic make up of a species.genetic make up of a species.
• Genes are the basic unit of hereditaryGenes are the basic unit of hereditary
information transmitted from one toinformation transmitted from one to
the other.the other.
• Eg.Eg. Oryza sativaOryza sativa –– differ in size, shape,differ in size, shape,
aroma and nutrient contentaroma and nutrient content..

13. specIes dIversItyspecIes dIversIty
• Species diversitySpecies diversity refers to the number andrefers to the number and
distribution ofdistribution of speciesspecies in one location.in one location.
• Humans have a huge effect on speciesHumans have a huge effect on species
diversity; the main reasons are:diversity; the main reasons are:
- Destruction, Modification, and/or- Destruction, Modification, and/or
Fragmentation of HabitatFragmentation of Habitat
- Introduction of Exotic Species- Introduction of Exotic Species
- Over harvest- Over harvest
- Global Climate Change- Global Climate Change
• Two measuring species indices: shannon-Two measuring species indices: shannon-
wiener index and simpson index.wiener index and simpson index.

14. ecosystem dIversItyecosystem dIversIty
• Ecosystem diversity refers toEcosystem diversity refers to
the diversity of a place at thethe diversity of a place at the
level oflevel of ecosystemsecosystems. It is. It is
contrasted withcontrasted with biodiversitybiodiversity,,
which refers to variation inwhich refers to variation in
species rather than ecosystemsspecies rather than ecosystems

15. BiogeographyBiogeography
• Biogeography is the study of theBiogeography is the study of the
distribution ofdistribution of biodiversitybiodiversity overover spacespace
andand timetime. It aims to reveal where. It aims to reveal where
organisms live, and at whatorganisms live, and at what
abundance.abundance.
• Classic biogeography has beenClassic biogeography has been
expanded by the development ofexpanded by the development of
molecular systematicsmolecular systematics, creating a new, creating a new
discipline known asdiscipline known as phylogeographyphylogeography

16. Phylogeography &Phylogeography &
PaleobiogeographyPaleobiogeography
• Phylogeography allows them to test theories ofPhylogeography allows them to test theories of
relatedness between these populations and sourcerelatedness between these populations and source
populations inpopulations in AsiaAsia andand North AmericaNorth America
• Paleobiogeography goes one step further toPaleobiogeography goes one step further to
includeinclude paleogeographicpaleogeographic data and considerationsdata and considerations
ofof plate tectonicsplate tectonics..
• Using molecular analyses and corroborated byUsing molecular analyses and corroborated by
fossilsfossils, it has been possible to demonstrate that, it has been possible to demonstrate that
perching birdsperching birds evolved first in the region ofevolved first in the region of
AustraliaAustralia or the adjacentor the adjacent AntarcticAntarctic

17. Classification ofClassification of
biogeographybiogeography
Biogeography is a synthetic science, related toBiogeography is a synthetic science, related to
geography, biology, soil science, geology, climatology,geography, biology, soil science, geology, climatology,
ecology and evolution.ecology and evolution.
Some fundamentals in biogeography areSome fundamentals in biogeography are
• evolution (change in genetic composition of aevolution (change in genetic composition of a
population)population)
• extinction (disappearance of a species)extinction (disappearance of a species)
• dispersal (movement of populations away from theirdispersal (movement of populations away from their
point of origin, related to migration)point of origin, related to migration)
• range and distributionrange and distribution
• endemic areasendemic areas
• Vicariance: The separation or division of a group ofVicariance: The separation or division of a group of
organisms by a geographic barrier, such as a mountainorganisms by a geographic barrier, such as a mountain
or a body of water, resulting in differentiation of theor a body of water, resulting in differentiation of the
original group into new varieties or speciesoriginal group into new varieties or species

19. Value of biodiversityValue of biodiversity
• Biodiversity is the pillar for civilizationBiodiversity is the pillar for civilization
• The loss of biodiversity threatens our foodThe loss of biodiversity threatens our food
supplies, opportunities for recreation andsupplies, opportunities for recreation and
tourism, and sources of wood, medicinestourism, and sources of wood, medicines
and energy. It also interferes with essentialand energy. It also interferes with essential
ecological functions.ecological functions.
• we divide value of biodiversity into twowe divide value of biodiversity into two
main types: instrumental and intrinsicmain types: instrumental and intrinsic
valuesvalues

20. Instrumental valuesInstrumental values
• ""Goods and Services" provided by ecosystems include:Goods and Services" provided by ecosystems include:
• Provision of food, fuel and fibberProvision of food, fuel and fibber
• Provision of shelter and building materialsProvision of shelter and building materials
• Purification of air and waterPurification of air and water
• Detoxification and decomposition of wastesDetoxification and decomposition of wastes
• Stabilization and moderation of the Earth's climateStabilization and moderation of the Earth's climate
• Moderation of floods, droughts, temperature extremes and the forces of windModeration of floods, droughts, temperature extremes and the forces of wind
• Generation and renewal of soil fertility, including nutrient cyclingGeneration and renewal of soil fertility, including nutrient cycling
• Pollination of plants, including many cropsPollination of plants, including many crops
• Control of pests and diseasesControl of pests and diseases
• Maintenance of genetic resources as key inputs to crop varieties andMaintenance of genetic resources as key inputs to crop varieties and
• Livestock breeds, medicines, and other productsLivestock breeds, medicines, and other products
• Ability to adapt to changeAbility to adapt to change

21. Intrinsic valuesIntrinsic values
•All orgAnisms strive (usuAllyAll orgAnisms strive (usuAlly
unconsciously And in Anunconsciously And in An
evolutionAry sense) to AchieveevolutionAry sense) to Achieve
certAin bAsic predeterminedcertAin bAsic predetermined
goAls- to grow, to reAchgoAls- to grow, to reAch
mAturity And to reproduce.mAturity And to reproduce.
intrinsic vAlue of biodiversityintrinsic vAlue of biodiversity
is non Anthropocentricis non Anthropocentric

22. Consumptive useConsumptive use
valuevalue
• Biodiversity product can beBiodiversity product can be
harvested and consumed.harvested and consumed.
• Eg. Fuel, food, drugs, fibre.Eg. Fuel, food, drugs, fibre.

23. Drugs anD meDicinesDrugs anD meDicines
• 75% of world depends on75% of world depends on
plant or plant extracts forplant or plant extracts for
medicines.medicines.
• Eg. Penicillin – fungus –Eg. Penicillin – fungus –
penicilliumpenicillium
• Quinine – cinchona barkQuinine – cinchona bark
• Digitalin – foxcloveDigitalin – foxclove
• Vinblastin and vincristin –Vinblastin and vincristin –
anticancer -perwinkleanticancer -perwinkle

24. Fuel & social valueFuel & social value
• Fuel wood.Fuel wood.
• Fossil fuels coal, petroleum, natural gasFossil fuels coal, petroleum, natural gas
– fossilized biodiversity.– fossilized biodiversity.
• Associated with social life, customs,Associated with social life, customs,
religion, and phycho-spiritual aspects ofreligion, and phycho-spiritual aspects of
the people.the people.
• Tulsi, lotus, bael etc – holy.Tulsi, lotus, bael etc – holy.
• Cow, snake, bull, peacock etc.Cow, snake, bull, peacock etc.

25. ProDuctive use valueProDuctive use value
• Commercially usable values, product isCommercially usable values, product is
marketed and sold.marketed and sold.
• Animal products like tusks of elephant, musk,Animal products like tusks of elephant, musk,
silk, wool etc.silk, wool etc.
• Despite international ban on trade-Despite international ban on trade-
endangered species- smuggling of fur, horns,endangered species- smuggling of fur, horns,
tusks.tusks.
• China and hong kong –export cat skin andChina and hong kong –export cat skin and
snake skin- booming business.snake skin- booming business.
• Developing countries asia, africa and america –Developing countries asia, africa and america –
richest biodiversity – wild life smugglingrichest biodiversity – wild life smuggling..

26. Ethical valueEthical value
• Also known as existence value.Also known as existence value.
• ““all life must be preserved”all life must be preserved”
• Concept “live and let live”Concept “live and let live”
• Eg. Dodo or passenger pigeon isEg. Dodo or passenger pigeon is
no more in earth.no more in earth.
• Kangaroo, zebra, etc…..Kangaroo, zebra, etc…..

27. aesthetic valueaesthetic value
• No one wish to visit vastNo one wish to visit vast
stretches of barren landstretches of barren land
with no sign of visible life.with no sign of visible life.
• People spend money toPeople spend money to
visit- eco-tourism.visit- eco-tourism.
• The willingness to pay – toThe willingness to pay – to
visitvisit
• Eco-tourism estimated forEco-tourism estimated for
aesthetic value – about 12aesthetic value – about 12
billions dollars annuallybillions dollars annually ..

28. oPtion value anD ecosystemoPtion value anD ecosystem
service valueservice value
• The potential of biodiversity –The potential of biodiversity –
presently unknown and needed to bepresently unknown and needed to be
explored.explored.
• potential, cure for AIDS or cancer.potential, cure for AIDS or cancer.
Existing within the depth of marineExisting within the depth of marine
eco-system.eco-system.
• Recently a non-consumptive useRecently a non-consumptive use
value – self maintenance ofvalue – self maintenance of
ecosystem.ecosystem.
• Soil erosion, prevention of floods,Soil erosion, prevention of floods,
soil fertility, fixation of nitrogen,soil fertility, fixation of nitrogen,
cycling of water, & reduction of thecycling of water, & reduction of the
threat of global warming.threat of global warming.