CHAPTER 4 BIODIVERSITY

1. CHAPTER 4 BIODIVERSITY

2. Introduction To Biodiversity: Major contributor to World’s domesticated biodiversity We have 42 breeds of sheep,30 of cattle, 20 of goats,18 of the chicken.50,000 varieties of rice, 1000 varieties of mangoes,500 varieties of pepper, and many more. A large variety of plant life, ranging from grasses to huge trees, a wide variety of animals.

3. Which do you like better? B A

4. Which do you like better? B A

5. B A Which do you like better?

6. B A Which do you like better?

7. Which do you like better? B A

8. Which do you like better? A B

9. What do you think biodiversity means?

10. Biodiversity What does “Bio” mean? Life Bio =

11. Biodiversity What does “Diversity” mean? Diversity = Variety

12. Biodiversity The term biodiversity is made up of two words - bio and diversity. Bio means living and diversity means variety. So the variety or variability of organisms and ecosystem is referred to as biodiversity. The existence of millions of plants, animals and microorganisms, their genetic background and the complex ecosystem to which they belong show the immense biodiversity present in the biosphere.

13. Scientists have identified more than 2 million species. Tens of millions -- remain unknown • The tremendous variety of life on Earth is made possible by complex interactions among all living things including microscopic species like algae and mites. Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth and the essential interdependence of all living things

14. Levels of Biodiversity 1. Genetic diversity:variation among genes • refers to the variation of genes within species i.e., different genes & combinations of genes within populations • covers distinct populations of the same species such as the thousands of traditional rice varities in india. • Species diversity: variation among species • refers to the number of plant and animal species present in a community or an ecosystem. • Species diversity is very high in tropical rainforests and low in isolated islands.

15. (contd…) Levels of Biodiversity 3.Ecosystem diversity: • It is the variety of habitats found in an area. • or, variety of forests, deserts, grasslands, aquatic ecosystems etc. that occur in the area.

16. e.g., 3 Levels of biodiversity • Diversity of genesChihuahuas, beagles, and rottweilers are all dogs—but they're not the same because their genes are different. Chihuahua Beagle Rottweilers

17. 2. Diversity of speciesFor example, monkeys, dragonflies, and meadow beauties are all different species. Golden Skimmer Meadow Beauty Saki Monkey

18. 3.Variety of ecosystemsPrairies, Ponds, and tropical rain forests are all ecosystems. Each one is different, with its own set of species living in it. Paines Prairie Florida Sand hill Pond Hoh Rain Forest

19. Kinds/ Types/ Levels of biodiversity Genetic Diversity Variations among the genes of the same species are known as genetic diversity. It is this type of diversity that gives rise to the different varieties of rice, mangoes,etc.

20. Species Diversity Diversity which arises due to variations among species present in specific areas is called as ‘species diversity’. Horses and donkeys are distinct species, as are lions and tigers. .

21. Ecosystem Diversity Ecosystem diversity is therefore, the diversity of habitats which include the different life forms within. The term also refers to the variety of ecosystems found within a biogeographical political boundary.

22. Value of biodiversity: Earth has an enormous variety of plants and Animals , both domesticated and wild, as also a wide array of habitats and ecosystems. From time immemorial, humans have been dependent on plants and animals for food, medicines, and clothing and for many other needs. Biodiversity is important to human beings for the following reasons: Survival Health and Healing Ecological Services Productive Value Ethical and Aesthetic Value Food security

23. Survival: Human being would perish in the absence of biological diversity. Vast nos. of people survives only due to biological diversity. For example in most communities in Ghana people totally depend on the biodiversity of the region for their livelihood. Health and Healing: A large no. of communities even today depend on traditional medicines for primary health care which are derived from plants and animals. Now various Pharma co. are depending on the various natural products and medicinal plants for the prep. Of various medicines. Food Security: Biodiversity is critical. All our food requirements are met by various types of crops, vegetables ,fruits, milk ,meat, honey etc. Productive Value: Various products (Medicines, dyes, charcol,fuel) used by humans are made from various plants and trees

24. Ethical and Aesthetic Value: In order to obtain a sustainable world, it is important to develop and incorporate the concept of ethical use into our culture. The biodiversity can be retained on the earth if human put sincere efforts for the same. Biodiversity also adds the aesthetic value of the planet. Each species and ecosystem adds to the richness and beauty of life on earth. Setting of sun over an ocean, sight of leaping deer, sound of singing bird, gardening etc.

25. Ecological Services: Species evolve to fill particular niches in an ecosystem or habitat. It is impossible for a species to exist independently of others. Many species depend on each other in intricate ways for survival. Destroying one species can lead to further extinctions or changes. Specific life forms present in a particular habitat help to create conditions for other life forms to live. For example a single tree provides not only its products, which may have economic value, but also a habitat for innumerable living things. In addition it also plays a vital role in conserving soil and water and helping to keep air clean.

26. Economic Value: People who go to Costa Rica to see scarlet macaws in the wild spend huge sum of money. Millions visit the Himalayas to witness the valley of Flowers in bloom.

27. Value of Biodiversity (contd…) • Option value: we have the option of paying now for the future use of nature. For example, we might contribute now for the establishment of a wildlife park so that we can use and enjoy the facility later. • Medicinal value: Hundreds of plants are still used in the traditional medicine in the developing countries. More than 60% of the world’s population depends directly on plants for medicines. ex: cinchona for malaria, rauwolfiaserpentina for hypertension, texol fromTaxusbrevifolia for cancer, Artemisnin from Artemisia annua for malaria

28. The 19 most biodiverse nations of the world are listed in Table. Australia Brazil Cameroon China Colombia Costa Rica Ecuador Ethiopia India Indonesia Madagascar Malaysia Mexico Myanmar Peru Philippines South Africa Venezuela Zaire

29. Origins of Food Plants Plant Potato Wheat Bean Coffee Soya, Cucumber, Orange Rice Place of Origin Andes, South America Turkey and Afghanistan Central America Ethiopia China India

30. Hot spots of Biodiversity • The richest and most threatened reservoirs of plant and animal life on earth. They are areas of exceptionally rich concentration of species with high endemism and are extremely vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbances. Only 25 hotspots have been identified over the World and cover about 1.4 % of earth’s land area. • These have been identified based on three criteria:– • i) The number of species present. • ii) The number of those species found exclusively in an ecosystem. • iii) The degree of threat they face.

31. Hot Spots of India Three regions that satisfy these criteria exist in India The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka The Eastern Himalayas Indo-Burma

32. Important terminology • In biology and ecology, extinction is the end of an organism or of a group of organisms (taxon) normally a species. • An endangered species is a species of organisms facing a very high risk of extinction. • A Vulnerable species is one which has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as likely to become Endangered unless the circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction improve.

33. Red list of categories: • Extinct • Extinct in wild • Critically endangered • Endangered • Vulnerable • lower risk • Data deficient • Not evaluated • Rare: small in number not endangered but at risk

34. Endangered species Plant or animal species which are at the edge of their extinction are called endangered species. Flying squirrel, Gir lion, Crocodile, Flamingo, Wild ass, etc. are some endangered animal species of India. Guggal, Sarpagandha, Sandal, Kalpvriksha, Pitcher plant, Cycas, Ephedra etc. are some endangered plant species of India.

35. Endangered plant and animal species of India

36. Tiger

37. Elephant

38. Manatee

39. Bald Eagle

40. Northern Wild Monkshood

41. Dwarf Lake Iris

42. Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle

43. Karner Blue Butterfly

44. Endemic Species The plant or animal species confined to a particular region and having originated there or a species which occur continuously in that area are known as endemic species. Restriction of species or taxa in small region is known as endemism. Eletaria repens, Ficus religiosa, Butea monosperma, Ficus bengalensis, etc. are some of the endemic plants of India.

45. EDGE Species: Species of animal that are evolutionary distinct and globally endangered. Distinct mean there look, life style and behavior is different. Species are close to extinction and scientist are trying to escape them. Ex. Elephant, panda (well known) bumblebee bat(smallest mammal), yangtze river dolphin (rarest cetacean)

46. EDGE species EDGE species • Refers to species of animals that are Evolutionary Distinct and globally Endangered (EDGE). • These species are on the verge extinction and once extinct, there will be no species like them on planet as they have few close relatives.

47. Threats to biodiversity Lantana Camara

48. Unplanned development and habitat destruction: Human atcivities such as cutting trees filling wetlands, Ploughing grass lands or burning down forests may change or completely destroy the natural habitat of a species. • Poaching or Over-exploitation for commercial gain: Many plant and animal species have been over-exploitted by humans sometimes to the point of extinction many species such as tigers and elephants are killed for their skin, tusk and claws which have high commercial values.

49. Environmental pollution: Soil water and air pollution disturb the functioning of ecosystems and may reduce or eliminate the sensitive species. • Global climate Change: Global climate change will adversely affect biodiversity of the planet. • Invasion by Introduced species: The deliberate as well as accidental introduction of non-native species has become a major threat to biodiversity. • Nature of legal systems: In planning legal enforcement a perfect combination of ecological and economical realities and involment of the people is required. The wild life protection act 1972 curtails the rights of local communities to the land in and around protected areas particularly national park.

50. Minning: Minning activities digging up tonnes of earth in order to get to the ore. This proces leads to deforestration and aids in soil erodion. • Forest fires: Fire plays an important role in most forest ecosystems. Common cause of forest fires include lightining human carelessness , volcanic erruption. Biodiversity.ppt