CH1 Biodiversity

Dr.
Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
Unit I
Multidisciplinary nature, Ecosystems and Bio-diversity
Environment Ecosystems Bio-diversity
Definition, Scope and Concept, Structure, function Definition, value of bio-diversity

importance and energy flow in ecosystem
Hotspots and threats to
Need for public Producers, consumers and bio-diversity
awareness decomposers
Conservation
1
Biodiversity Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
Biodiversity is the abbreviated word for

―biological diversity (bio-life or living
organisms, diversity-variety).
Biodiversity, refers to the variety of life on

Earth.
It includes diversity of ecosystems, species

and genes, and the ecological processes
that support them.
It represents the sum total of various life

forms such as unicellular fungi, protozoa,
bacteria and multi cellular organisms such
as plants, fishes and animals at various
levels.
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Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
 There may be about 50 million species of living beings/ organisms on the earth which includes plants,
insects, birds, Animal, microorganisms etc.
 Only about 1.5 million species are on record (identified)
 Among these 1.5 million species, the majority are insects (750,000 or 0.75 millions)
250,000 are plants
100,000 are fungi species
41000 are vertebrates (having bone or spinal column)
Rest are invertebrates (without back bone, snails, worms, and micro-
organisms)
3
Levels of Biodiversity Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
The concept of biodiversity may be analyzed in 3 different levels. They are
4
Levels of Biodiversity Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
1. Ecosystem or Community diversity
 A set of biotic components (plants, animals and microorganisms) and abiotic components (soil, air, water,
etc) interacting with each other is known as an ecosystem.
 Ecosystem or ecological diversity means the richness and

complexity of a biological community, including tropic
levels, ecological processes (which capture energy), food
webs and material recycling.
 Ecosystem diversity is the aggregate of different

environmental types in a region.
 It explains the interaction between living organisms and

physical environment in an ecosystem.
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2. Species diversity
 A discrete groups of organisms of the same kind is known as species.
 Species diversity is the diversity between different species.

 The sum of varieties of all living organisms at the species level is known as species diversity.
 Species diversity describes the number of kinds of organisms

within individual communities or ecosystems.
 The biotic component is composed of a large number of

species of plants, animals and microorganisms which interact
with each other and with the abiotic component of the
environment.
Ex: The total number of species living on earth is approximately

more than 50 million. However, only around 1.5 million are
found and assigned scientific names.
Plant species: Apple, Mango, Wheat, Grapes, Rice etc
Animal species: Lion, Tiger, Elephant, Deer etc
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3. Genetic diversity.
A species with different genetic characteristics is known as a
sub-species or "genera".
 Genetic diversity is a measure of the variety of versions of
same gene within individual species.
 Within individual species, there are varieties, that are
slightly different from one other. These differences are due
to differences in the combination of genes. (simply it is the
diversity of the genes within same species).
 Genes are the basic units of hereditary information
transmitted from one generation to the other.
Rice varieties - All rice varieties belong to the species "oryzasativa". Maize varieties - All maize varieties belong to the species "Zea
However there are thousands of rice varieties that show variation at mays". However there are thousands of maize varieties that show
the genetic level in the form of different size, shape, color and variation at the genetic level in the form of different size, shape,
nutrient content. color and nutrient content.
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FUNCTIONS OF BIODIVERSITY
Two main functions of biodiversity are
1. It is the source on which the entire human species depends on for food, fibre, shelter,
fuel and medicine.
2. It depends on biosphere which in turn leads to stability in climate, water, soil, air and
overall health of biosphere.
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Value of biodiversity Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
 Biodiversity provides a variety of environmental services from its species and ecosystems that are
essential at global, regional and local levels .
 Human beings depend upon natural biodiversity for the existence.
The value of biodiversity in terms of its commercial utility, ecological services, social and aesthetic
value is enormous. We get benefits from other organisms in innumerable ways. The multiple uses of
biodiversity or biodiversity value has been classified by McNeely et al in 1990 as follows :
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Direct values: Consumptive and Productive values

(i) Consumptive value: These are direct use values where the biodiversity product can be harvested
and consumed directly e.g. food, drugs & medicines, fuel, etc.
Food:
 Biodiversity of plants are source of food for living organisms.
 A large number of wild plants are consumed by human beings as food

(A large number of wild animals are also our sources of food).
 There are thousands of edible varieties but less than 20% species are
cultivated to yield 85% of the world’s food.
 Wheat, rice and maize are three carbohydrate rich crops yielding 2/3 of the
food for humankind.
 Advances in bio-technology and genetic engineering had led to the

development of high yielding varieties and disease resistant varieties of crop
to meet the ever increasing demand of the growing population.
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Drugs and medicines:

 About 75% of the world’s population depends upon plants or plant
extracts for medicines.
Penicillin Tetracyclin
 The wonder drug Penicillin used as an antibiotic is derived from a fungus called Penicillium. Likewise,
we get Tetracyclin from a bacterium (originally made from bacteria of the Streptomyces type).
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 Quinine, the cure for malaria is obtained from the

bark of Cinchona tree
Bark of Cinchona tree
 Recently vinblastin and vincristine, two anticancer drugs, have been

obtained from Periwinkle (Catharanthus) plant, which possesses
anticancer alkaloids..
 A large number of marine animals are supposed to possess anti-cancer properties which
are yet to be explored systematically.
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Fuel:
 Our forests have been used since ages for fuel wood.
 The fossil fuels coal, petroleum and natural gas are also products of fossilized
biodiversity.
 Firewood collected by individuals are not normally marketed, but are directly
consumed by tribals and local villagers, hence falls under consumptive value.
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(ii) Productive use values:

 These are the commercially usable values where the product is marketed
and sold.
 Plants and animals yield a lot of products to improve the economy.

 The animal products like tusks of elephants, musk from musk deer (Musk is a
class of aromatic substances commonly used as base notes in perfumery), silk
from silk-worm, wool from sheep, fur of many animals, lac from lac insects etc,
all of which are traded in the market.
 Many industries are dependent upon the productive use values of
biodiversity
e.g.- the paper and pulp industry,
Plywood industry,
Railway sleeper industry,
Silk industry,
textile industry,
leather industry,
pearl industry etc.
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Value of biodiversity Indirect values Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
(iii) Social Value:

 These are the values associated with the social life, customs, religion and
psycho-spiritual aspects of the people.
 Many of the plants are considered holy and sacred in our country like Tulsi
(holy basil), Peepal, Mango, Lotus, etc.
 The leaves, fruits or flowers of these plants are used in worship or the plant
itself is worshipped.
 The tribal people are very closely linked with the wild life in the forests.
 Many animals like Cow, Snake, Bull, Peacock, Owl etc. also have
significant place in our psycho-spiritual arena and thus hold special social
importance. Thus biodiversity has distinct social value, attached with
different societies.
15
(iv) Ethical value:

 It is also sometimes known as existence value. It involves ethical issues like “all life must be
preserved”.
 It is based on the concept of “Live and Let Live”.
 If we want our human race to survive, then we must protect all biodiversity, because biodiversity is
valuable.
 The ethical value means that we may or may not use a species, but knowing the very fact that this
species exists in nature gives us pleasure.
 We are not deriving anything direct from Kangaroo, Zebra or Giraffe, but we all strongly feel that these
species should exist in nature. This means, there is an ethical value or existence value attached to each
species.
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(v) Aesthetic value:
 Great aesthetic value is attached to biodiversity.
 People from far and wide spend a lot of time and money to visit wilderness
areas where they can enjoy the aesthetic value of biodiversity and this type
of tourism is now known as eco-tourism.
 The “Willingness to pay” concept on such eco-tourism gives us even a

monetary estimate for aesthetic value of biodiversity.
 Ecotourism is estimated to generate about 12 billion dollars of revenue

annually, that roughly gives the aesthetic value of biodiversity.
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(vi) Option values:

 These values include the potentials of biodiversity that are presently unknown and need to be
explored.
 There is a possibility that we may have some potential cure for AIDS or cancer existing within the
depths of a marine ecosystem, or a tropical rainforest.
 Thus option value is the value of knowing that there are biological resources existing on this
biosphere that may one day prove to be an effective option for something important in the future.
Thus, the option value of biodiversity suggests that any species may prove to be a miracle species
someday.
 The biodiversity is like precious gifts of nature presented to us. We should not commit the folly of
losing these gifts even before unwrapping them.
 The option value also includes the values, in terms of the option to visit areas where a variety of flora
and fauna, or specifically some endemic, rare or endangered species exist.
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(vii) Ecosystem service value:
 Recently, a non-consumptive use value related to self maintenance of the ecosystem and various
important ecosystem services has been recognized.
 It refers to the services provided by ecosystems like prevention of soil erosion, prevention of floods,
maintenance of soil fertility, cycling of nutrients, fixation of nitrogen, cycling of water, their role as
carbon sinks, pollutant absorption and reduction of the threat of global warming etc.
 Different categories of biodiversity value clearly indicate that ecosystem, species and genetic
diversity all have enormous potential and a decline in biodiversity will lead to huge economic,
ecological and socio-cultural losses.
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Biodiversity value of some selected organisms in monetary terms
A male lion living up to an age of 7 years can generate up to $ 515,000 due to its aesthetic value
as paid by tourists, whereas if killed for the lion skin a market price up to $ 1,000 can be fetched.
In its lifetime a Kenyan elephant can earn worth $ 1 million as tourist revenue.
Whale watching on Hervey Bay on Queensland’s coast earns $12 million annually.
Tourism to Great Barrier Reef in Australia earns $ 2 billion each year.
A typical tree provides $ 196,2150 worth of ecological services as oxygen, clean air, fertile
soil, erosion control, water recycling, wildlife habitat, toxic gas moderation etc. Whereas its
worth is only about $ 590 if sold in the market as timber.
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Threats to biodiversity
 Any disturbance in a natural ecosystem tends to reduce its biodiversity.
 Waste generated due to increase in human population and industrialization spoils the environment
and leads to decreased diversity in biological species.
 Any change in the system leads to a major imbalance and threatens the normal ecological cycle.
 Extinction 0r elimination of species is a normal process in nature.
 Species die out and are replaced by others. However, human activities, increasing population and
rapid industrialization have accelerated the rate resulting in rapid loss of biodiversity.
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Major threats to biodiversity
Habitat loss
Population
Urbanization
Poaching
Introduction of exotic species
Natural catastrophe
Other purposes
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Habitat loss Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
Destruction of habitats is the primary reason for the loss of biodiversity
The loss of populations of interbreeding organisms is caused by habitat loss.
Factors influencing habitat loss are:
Deforestation: Loss of habitat is mainly caused by
deforestation activities. Forests and grasslands are
cleared for conversion into agriculture lands or settlement
areas or developmental projects. Forests and grasslands
are natural home to thousands of species which
disintegrate due to loss of their natural habitat.
Habitat fragmentation: When the habitat is divided into small and scattered
patches the phenomenon is called habitat fragmentation. This leads to the
disappearance of most wildlife
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Habitat loss Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
Raw material: To produce hybrid seeds, wild plants are used as raw
materials leading to extinction of many wild plant species.
Production of drugs: Pharmaceutical companies collect wild plants for the production of drugs leading to
extinction of several medicinal plant species.
Illegal trade: Illegal trade of wildlife reduces biodiversity leading to habitat loss
Developmental activities: Construction of dams in forest areas

coupled with the discharge of industrial effluents kills birds
and other aquatic life.
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Population Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
 Due to human activities, poisonous gases are released into the

environment (water bodies), which kills sensitive species.
 Oil spills in the sea kills a large no. of marine animals.
 A study shows great decline in the population of fish eating birds due to
DDT deposition in the fish Which was sprayed in the water to kill the
mosquitos.
 Lead poisoning is another major cause of mortality of many aquatic birds

like swan, duck etc.
Urbanization
 Cutting trees to make space for urban settlements exposes some species.
 Sensitive species gradually becomes extinct.
- Vultures which feed on dead carcasses, are becoming rare due to

urbanization
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Poaching Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
The killing of prohibited wild animals for illegal trading of wild life products is called
Poaching
Wild life is sold for live specimens, folk medicines, fur, hides, skin, leather etc.
Poaching makes money by smuggling these wild life products to other countries.
Hence it is a serious threat to the wild life
Introduction of exotic species
New species entering to a new geographical area is called an exotic

species.
Some exotic species disturbs the sustainable environment of the

already existing species and then destroy them completely
-A pathogenic microorganism may cause severe

diseases to native species causing their elimination
which results in loss of biodiversity
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Natural catastrophe Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
A natural catastrophe is a sudden change in the environment (not as a result of human action)
Forest fires Floods Storms
Earthquakes Volcanic eruption
Natural disasters may cause the local extinction of most forms of life there.
Other purposes
A large no. of animals and plants are used for pharmaceutical purposes, perfumes, cosmetics,
decorative items and specimens for museums. These are also results in the loss of biodiversity.
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Biodiversity Hotspots
 A region with high biodiversity with most of spices being Endemic.
 A biodiversity hotspot is a region with a high level of endemic species.
 Many hotspots are nearby of large human populations. While hotspots are spread all
over the world, the majority are forest areas.
 A biodiversity hotspot is a bio-geographic region that is both a significant reservoir of

biodiversity and is threatened with destruction.
 The term biodiversity hotspot specifically refers to 35 biologically rich areas around
the world that have lost at least 70 percent of their original habitat.
 Endemic species-
Plant and animal species confined to a particular geographical area are called
endemic species 29
Plants in India Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
 Total number of plant species recorded in the world 2,50,000 species.
 In India 45,000 species 33% of the above are native.
 There are 15,000 flowering plant species which is 6% of the world’s total.
 Areas rich in endemism are the Northeast, the Western Ghats and the Northwestern
and Eastern Himalayas.
 Andaman & Nicobar Islands contribute at least 200 endemic species to the endemic
flora.
30
Animals in India Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
 India possesses little more than 7% of the total

animal species of the world.
 173 species of mammals, 101 of birds, 15 of

reptiles, 3 of amphibians and 2 of fishes are
considered endangered.
Saola 31
To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria:
1. It must have at least 1,500 or 0.5% of plants species as endemics — which is to

say, it must have a high percentage of plant life found nowhere else on the planet.
2. It must have 30% or less of its original natural vegetation (lost 70% or more of its
original natural vegetation).
Around the world, 35 areas qualify as hotspots. They represent just 2.3% of Earth’s
land surface, but they support more than half of the world’s plant species as endemics
— i.e., species found no place else — and nearly 43% of bird, mammal, reptile and
amphibian species as endemics.
32
Global hot spots of biodiversity
Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador,

Peru, Bolivia.
Mexico and America
33
Global hot spots of biodiversity
35. Himalayan
34
35
Hotspot in India: Indo-Burma Region Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
Indo-Burma hotspot spread in 2,373,000 square kilometres (916,000 sq mi) of tropical Asia and east of
the Ganges-Brahmaputra lowlands. Formerly Indo-Burma hotspot has the area of the Himalaya chain
and the associated foothills in Nepal, Bhutan and India.
Now Indo-Burma hotspot has been more narrowly

redefined as the Indo-Chinese sub-region.
At present Indo-Burma hotspot begins in eastern

Bangladesh and then extends to Myanmar.
Now Indo-Burma hotspot also covers part of southern

and western Yunnan Province in China, Lao People’s
Democratic Republic, Cambodia and Vietnam, Thailand
and Malaysia.
It also covers the coastal lowlands of southern China,

as well as several offshore islands.
36
Iconic species of Indo-Burma Region Mammals Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
Pygmy loris (Nycticebus Delacour’s leaf monkey (Trachypithecus delacouri) Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis)
pygmaeus)
Birds Freshwater fishes
Mekong giant catfish Giant carp

White-eyed river-martin Giant ibis (Pangasianodon gigas) (Catlocarpio siamensis)
(Eurychelidon sirintarae), (Thaumatibis gigantea)
37
Hotspot in India: Western Ghats
The Western Ghats is biologically rich and biogeographically unique the

Western Ghats is covering an area of 180,000 square kilometres
(Maharashtra-Karnataka-Tamil Nadu-Kerala).
The Western Ghats covers 6% of the land area of Total Indian land.
It contains more than 30% of all Indian plants, fish, herpeto-fauna, bird,
and mammal species.
Many species are endemic in the Western Ghats, Such as Nilgiri tahr
(Hemitragus hylocrius) and Lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus)
50% of India’s amphibians and 67% of fish species are endemic in the region of Western Ghats.
Around 30% of the world’s Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) and 17% of the world’s existing tigers
(Panthera tigris) found in this area. 38
Iconic species of Western Ghats Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
The Great Indian Hornbill Gaur (Indian Bison)
Lion Tailed Macaque
Nilgiri Marten
Nilgiri Tahr
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Hotspot in India: Eastern Himalaya Dr. Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR
The Eastern Himalaya is situated in northeastern India,

stretching over 3,000 kilometers of northern Pakistan,
Nepal, Bhutan and the northwestern and northeastern
states of India and Bhutan.
Eastern Himalaya is rich in endemic species of plants.
The eastern Himalaya exhibits a rich diversity of

different types of flowering plants.
40
Iconic species of Eastern Himalaya SN
FLORA AND FAUNA TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES
1. Plants 10,000 types of Plant
2. Mammals 300
3. Birds 977
4. Reptiles 176
5. Amphibians 105
6. Freshwater fish 269
Hamamelidaceae Butomaceae Circaesteraceae

Tetracentraceae
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Conservation of biodiversity
42
The enormous value of biodiversity due to their genetic, commercial, medical,

aesthetic, ecological and optional importance emphasizes the need to conserve
biodiversity. A number of measures are now being taken the world over to
conserve biodiversity including plants and wildlife.
There are two approaches of biodiversity conservation:
 In situ conservation (within habitat): This is achieved by protection of wild

flora and fauna in nature itself. e.g. Biosphere Reserves, National Parks,
Sanctuaries, Reserve Forests etc.
 Ex situ conservation (outside habitats) This is done by establishment of gene

banks, seed banks, zoos, botanical gardens, culture collections etc.
43
In Situ Conservation
At present we have 7 major Biosphere reserves, 80 National Parks, 420 wild-life

sanctuaries and 120 Botanical gardens in our country covering 4% of the geographic area.
Name of State Important Wildlife

National Park
Kaziranga Assam One horned Rhino
Gir National Park Gujarat Indian Lion
Dachigam J&K Hangul Deer
Bandipur Karnataka Elephant
Periyar Kerala Elephant, Tiger
Kanha M.P. Tiger
Corbett U.P. Tiger
Dudwa U.P. Tiger
Ranthambore Rajasthan Tiger
Sariska Rajasthan Tiger
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Name of Sanctuary State Major Wild Life
Ghana Bird Sanctuary Rajasthan 300 species of
birds
(including
migratory)
Hazaribagh Sanctuary Bihar Tiger, Leopard
Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary Haryana Migratory birds
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary Gujarat Water birds
Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary Punjab Black buck
Mudamalai Wildlife Tamil Nadu Tiger, elephant,
Sanctuary Leopard
Vedanthangal Bird Tamil Nadu Water birds
Sanctuary
Jaldapara Wild Life W. Bengal Rhinoceros,
Sanctuary elephant,
Tiger
Wild Ass Sanctuary Gujarat Wild ass, wolf,
nilgai, chinkara
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Ex situ Conservation
This type of conservation is mainly done for conservation of crop varieties, the wild
relatives of crops and all the local varieties with the main objective of conserving the total
genetic variability of the crop species for future crop improvement or afforestation
programmes. In India, we have the following important gene bank/seed bank facilities:
(i) National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) is located in New Delhi. Here
agricultural and horticultural crops and their wild relatives are preserved by cryo-
preservation of seeds, pollen etc. by using liquid nitrogen at a temperature as low as -
196°C. Varieties of rice, pearl millet, Brassica, turnip, radish, tomato, onion, carrot,
chilli, tobacco, poppy etc. have been preserved successfully in liquid nitrogen for
several years without losing seed viability.
46
(i) National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) located at Karnal,

Haryana. It preserves the semen of domesticated bovine animals.
(ii) National Facility for Plant Tissue Culture Repository (NFPTCR) for the
development of a facility of conservation of varieties of crop plants/trees by
tissue culture. This facility has been created within the NBPGR.
The G-15 countries have also resolved to set up a network of gene banks to
facilitate the conservation of various varieties of aromatic and medicinal plants
for which India is the networking co-ordinator country.
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CH1 Biodiversity

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Dr.

Chetti Prabhakar NITKKR

Environment Ecosystems Bio-diversity

Definition, Scope and Concept, Structure, function Definition, value of bio-diversity

Biodiversity is the abbreviated word for

Biodiversity, refers to the variety of life on

It includes diversity of ecosystems, species

It represents the sum total of various life

 Only about 1.5 million species are on record (identified)

The concept of biodiversity may be analyzed in 3 different levels. They are

1. Ecosystem or Community diversity

 Ecosystem or ecological diversity means the richness and

 Ecosystem diversity is the aggregate of different

 It explains the interaction between living organisms and

 Species diversity is the diversity between different species.

 Species diversity describes the number of kinds of organisms

 The biotic component is composed of a large number of

Ex: The total number of species living on earth is approximately

Two main functions of biodiversity are

Direct values: Consumptive and Productive values

 A large number of wild plants are consumed by human beings as food

 Advances in bio-technology and genetic engineering had led to the

Drugs and medicines:

 Quinine, the cure for malaria is obtained from the

Bark of Cinchona tree

 Recently vinblastin and vincristine, two anticancer drugs, have been

(ii) Productive use values:

 Plants and animals yield a lot of products to improve the economy.

(iii) Social Value:

(iv) Ethical value:

 It is based on the concept of “Live and Let Live”.

(v) Aesthetic value:

 Great aesthetic value is attached to biodiversity.

 The “Willingness to pay” concept on such eco-tourism gives us even a

 Ecotourism is estimated to generate about 12 billion dollars of revenue

(vi) Option values:

(vii) Ecosystem service value:

Biodiversity value of some selected organisms in monetary terms

Tourism to Great Barrier Reef in Australia earns $ 2 billion each year.

 Any disturbance in a natural ecosystem tends to reduce its biodiversity.

 Extinction 0r elimination of species is a normal process in nature.

Introduction of exotic species

Developmental activities: Construction of dams in forest areas

 Due to human activities, poisonous gases are released into the

 Oil spills in the sea kills a large no. of marine animals.

 Lead poisoning is another major cause of mortality of many aquatic birds

 Sensitive species gradually becomes extinct.

- Vultures which feed on dead carcasses, are becoming rare due to

Introduction of exotic species

New species entering to a new geographical area is called an exotic

Some exotic species disturbs the sustainable environment of the

-A pathogenic microorganism may cause severe

Forest fires Floods Storms

Earthquakes Volcanic eruption

 A biodiversity hotspot is a region with a high level of endemic species.

 A biodiversity hotspot is a bio-geographic region that is both a significant reservoir of

 Total number of plant species recorded in the world 2,50,000 species.

 In India 45,000 species 33% of the above are native.

 India possesses little more than 7% of the total

 173 species of mammals, 101 of birds, 15 of

To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria:

1. It must have at least 1,500 or 0.5% of plants species as endemics — which is to

Global hot spots of biodiversity

Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador,