UNIT 4: BIO DIVERSITY

Biodiversity and its conservation Introduction- definition: genetic species and ecosystem diversity; Bio-geographical classification of India , Value of biodiversity: consumptive use, productive use, social, ethical, aesthetic and option values; Biodiversity at global, national, local level ; India as a mega diversity nation; Hot spots of bio diversity; Threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, poaching of wild life, man wild life conflicts; Endangered and endemic species of India; Conservation of bio-diversity: In-situ and Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity (04 L)

Why do we need to bother about Biodiversity?

Biodiversity provides a variety of environmental services from its species and ecosystems that are essential at the global, regional and local levels. The production of oxygen, reduction of carbon dioxide, maintaining the water cycle and protecting soil are some of the important services.

Do you know the meaning of the term Biological prospecting? Explain.

A variety of industries, like pharmaceuticals, are highly dependent on identifying compounds of great economic value from the variety of wild species of plants located in undisturbed natural forests. This is called ‘Biological prospecting’.


Do you know the meaning of the term ‘Global 200’?

The earth’s biodiversity is distributed in specific regions. There are over a thousand major ‘eco regions’ in the world. Of theses 200 are said to be the richest, rarest and most distinctive natural areas. These are referred as the ‘Global 200’.

What is meant by the term ‘mega diversity nation’?

These are countries which have a relatively large population of biodiversity hotspots.

Can you name some of the biological hotspots of our country?

Forests of the North-east and western ghats is included in the world’s most bio-rich areas. The Andaman and nicobar islands are extremely rich in speices like coral reefs.

Can you name some of the places in India that are protected under world heritage tag?

1. Kaziranga in assam
2. Manas on the border between Bhutan and India
3. Bharatpur in U.P
4. Nandadevi in Himalayas
5. Sunderbans in Ganges delta in west Bengal.

Match the following people with their field of contribution

(a) M.C.Mehta – Environmental lawyer
(b) S P Godrej – wild life conservation in India
(c) Anil Agarwal- Founder of CES
(d) Salim ali – Ornithology
(e) Madhav Gadgil – Ecologist
(f) M.S.Swaminathan – Agricultural scientist
(g) Sunderlal Bahuguna – Movement to save trees
(h) Shri.A. Nagraj – Propounder of Madhyasth Darshan : Sahastitvavad ( Co-existentialism)
(I ) Medha Patkar - Social activist

Activity Question for discussion:

If PCB concentrations in phytoplankton in a lake are in the neighborhood of 0.001 ppm (parts per million) while PCB concentrations in lake water are 100 times lower, you would attribute the effect to
a. biomagnification.
b. bioaccumulation.
c. biodegradation.
d. biogeneration.


Activity Question for discussion:

In the early 1950s eutrophication was emerging as a serious pollution problem in a certain lake in US.
(a) What does eutrophication mean, literally and generally?
(b) What processes and what chemicals were responsible for the eutrophication?
(c) Algal blooms were cited as one consequence of the eutrophication problem. What could be the reason for such blooms to occur?

Oxygen depletion is cited as consequence of the eutrophication. Where do you think the oxygen depletion occurring - in the surface waters or bottom waters? Can you guess what could be the reason for oxygen depletion in lake water?