biodiversity and environment dr. a.g. devi prasad msc(bot), msc(sus.dev), ph.d, pgdep p.g....
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BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENT
Dr. A.G. Devi Prasad MSc(Bot), MSc(Sus.Dev), Ph.D, PGDEPP.G. Department of Environmental ScienceUniversity of MysoreMysore-570006e-mail:- [email protected]; 9448033391
Natural Resources
Indestructible --- Air
Water
Destructible --- Renewable : Soil
Forest
Wildlife
Non-renewable : Minerals
Biodiversity - Definition
The variability among living organisms from all sources including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.
1.1. Genetic diversityGenetic diversity - genetic variability or - genetic variability or diversity within a species, i.e. between the diversity within a species, i.e. between the individuals of a speciesindividuals of a species
Example ; Example ; 5,000 recorded varieties of mango
88,000 recorded varieties of Oryza sativa
Types of Biodiversity
2.2.Species diversitySpecies diversity - diversity between different - diversity between different speciesspecies
Example ; Example ; Felis Felis tigristigris
Felis Felis domesticadomestica
3. Ecosystem diversity3. Ecosystem diversity – diversity within a – diversity within a regionregion
Grassland Shola forest
Facts related to Biodiversity
Total Land Area of Earth –Total Land Area of Earth –
510,065,284 510,065,284 sq.kmsq.km
Forest Cover – Forest Cover – 38.7 m. sq.km38.7 m. sq.km
(26%)(26%)
40% 40% of Global Forest Land is of Global Forest Land is
in South America, Africa, in South America, Africa,
and South Asia.and South Asia.
Facts related to Biodiversity contd..
There are There are 55 million to million to 100100 million million
species on earth.species on earth.
Only about Only about 1.9 1.9 million species million species have been catalogued so far.have been catalogued so far.
There are There are 3434 recognised recognised ““HotspotsHotspots”” in the world. in the world.
44.4% 44.4% of Global Plant species andof Global Plant species and
35.3% 35.3% of Vertebrate species areof Vertebrate species are
present in Hotspotspresent in Hotspots. .
Total land area of India - 143 million.ha
India occupies 2.47% of the World’s geographical
area and has only 1% of the forest
Facts related to Biodiversity contd..
India has 16.1% of world human population and 15.1% of cattle population
Forest Cover in India – Forest Cover in India – 23.57 23.57 %%
India is sharing India is sharing 12.53 % 12.53 % of of world’s biodiversityworld’s biodiversity
India has India has 3.9 % 3.9 % of grasslands, of grasslands, 2.0 % 2.0 % of hot deserts, of hot deserts, 4.14.1 m.ha m.ha of wetland ecosystems.of wetland ecosystems.
India is the India is the 77thth largest country in largest country in the world and one among the the world and one among the 1717 mega diversity centers. mega diversity centers.
Facts related to Biodiversity contd..
Facts related to Biodiversity contd..
India recorded :India recorded :
45,00045,000 + species of wild plants + species of wild plants
89,00089,000 + species of wild animals + species of wild animals
At least At least 320320 species of wild species of wild
relatives of crops have beenrelatives of crops have been
originated here.originated here.
Facts related to Biodiversity contd.. In India:
1,39,000 species of plants, animals
and microbes are recorded
More than 4 lakh species are yet to be
identified
There are three mega centers of
endemism and 26 micro centers of
endemism
PLANT SPECIES IN INDIA AND WORLD
Taxa Species
India World
Bacteria 850 4000
Viruses unknown 4000
Algae 6500 40,000
Fungi 14,500 72,000
Lichens 2000 17,000
Bryophyta 2850 16,000
Pteridophyta 1100 13000
Gymnosperms 64 750
Angiosperms 17,500 250,000
ANIMAL SPECIES IN INDIA AND WORLD
Taxa Species
India World
Insects 60,000 8,00000
Mollusca 5000 100000
Fishes 2,500 23,000
Amphibians 190 4,520
Reptiles 400 6,550
Birds 1,175 8,400
Mammals 872 4,231
KarnatakaKarnataka – – 88thth largest state in the country largest state in the country
Total Land Area of Karnataka – Total Land Area of Karnataka – 1,91,791 1,91,791 sq.kmsq.km
Karnataka’s Forest Cover – Karnataka’s Forest Cover – 20.2 %20.2 %
Coastal area- Coastal area- 5425 sq.km5425 sq.km
Dominated by mangrove Dominated by mangrove forest (forest (60 sq.km60 sq.km))
Facts related to Biodiversity contd…
Facts related to Biodiversity contd…
Karnataka Karnataka ;; home of sandal wood and rose woodhome of sandal wood and rose wood
supports supports 25% 25% of India’s elephant of India’s elephant populationpopulation
supports supports 10% 10% of India’s tiger populationof India’s tiger population
harbours about harbours about 4758 4758 floral floral species with species with 16001600 endemics endemics
60% 60% of Western Ghats are of Western Ghats are located in Karnataka located in Karnataka
HotspotsHotspots
1. Endemism-1. Endemism-
(0.5% or 1500 species of the world’s 3 (0.5% or 1500 species of the world’s 3
Lakh Plant species as endemics should Lakh Plant species as endemics should
be present)be present)
2. Degree of Threat2. Degree of Threat
Hotspots of IndiaHotspots of India – Four– Four
1. Western Ghats1. Western Ghats 2. Eastern Himalayas 2. Eastern Himalayas 3. Indo-Burma region3. Indo-Burma region 4. Sundaland (Indonesia, Malaysia, parts4. Sundaland (Indonesia, Malaysia, parts of India especially Nicobar Islands)of India especially Nicobar Islands)
Threatened Species: The term is used in conservation context for species which are in one of the categories –
Endangered
Vulnerable
Rare
Indeterminate
RED DATA BOOK
IUCN categories
Extinct
A species not definitely located in the wild and never sighted even once in the last 50 years
Why Biodiversity is important?
Provides food, fodder, fruit, fuel, timber, medicine
1.Commercial value :
Oil, Fertilizers etc. extracted from species of plants and animals.
2.Biological value:
Pollination Soil formation Nutrient enrichment
-
3.Recreational Value:
Can not be measured in terms of money.
4. Aesthetic Value: Art, Poetry, Literature.
5.Scientific Value:
Gene Pool, Evolution, Human Welfare, etc,.
Value of a TreeA tree that lives for 50 years generates:
• Rs. 5.3 lakhs worth of oxygen
• Facilitates Rs. 6.4 lakhs worth of soil erosion control
• Creates Rs. 10.5 lakhs worth of air pollution control
• Provides Rs. 5.3 lakhs worth of shelter for birds and animals
• Recycles Rs. 6.4 lakhs worth of fertility
• Besides provide flower, fruits and timber
• When a tree is fell it is something worth more than Rs. 33. 9 lakhs.
….Value of a Tree
Threats to Biodiversity
1. Deforestation and overgrazing
2. Habitat destruction and fragmentation of the
area.
3. Poaching and hunting for flesh, fur, skin, horn, naiI and recreation.
4. Forest fires including smoking in the woods.
5. Over‑exploitation of the resources.
6. Natural calamities like floods, high wind velocities, earthquakes, etc.,.
7. Pollution of various kinds and release of toxic substances.
8.Soil erosion and loss of soil nutrients.
9.Population pressure and unequal
distribution of the resources
10. Agricultural expansion
11.Spreading urbanization and establishment of industries.
12.Construction of hydro‑electric power projects
13. Climatic changes like depletion of ozone, global warming, increased concentration of carbon dioxide, etc,
14. Mining activities and quarrying.
15. Lack of awareness.
Impact of Loss Of BiodiversityImpact of Loss Of Biodiversity
Global warming and climate change
Increased pollution
Soil erosion and loss of fertility
Decomposition rateby microbes is altered
Nutrient cycling is altered
Reduces gene pool - affects speciation
Food chain is altered
Alteration in HydrologicCycle
Conservation Measures:Conservation Measures:
1. Maintenance of the 1. Maintenance of the integrity of the habitat and integrity of the habitat and improvement of habitat in improvement of habitat in productivity and quality productivity and quality for the desired species to for the desired species to grow and reproduce well.grow and reproduce well.
22 Prevention and control ofPrevention and control of
forest fires. Burning of forest fires. Burning of
grasslands has to be controlled. grasslands has to be controlled.
By controlling the forest fire, By controlling the forest fire,
protection can be given to protection can be given to
wildlife.wildlife.
33 Excessive cutting should Excessive cutting should
be eliminated and only mature be eliminated and only mature
trees should be harvested. New trees should be harvested. New
seedlings should replace the seedlings should replace the
harvested trees.harvested trees.
44 Fragmentation of the forest area or wildlife Fragmentation of the forest area or wildlife
habitat, which decreases the biological diversity habitat, which decreases the biological diversity
(both genetic diversity and ecological diversity), (both genetic diversity and ecological diversity),
should be minimised.should be minimised.
55 Wise Wise
management in management in
the control of the control of
insects and insects and
disease that disease that
attack trees.attack trees.
66 Measures to check the velocity of wind inMeasures to check the velocity of wind in deserted areas, planting 'winddeserted areas, planting 'wind
breaks' across the direction of wind is helpful. breaks' across the direction of wind is helpful. Trees and shrubs may beTrees and shrubs may beplanted in several rows to check the blowing planted in several rows to check the blowing away of the fertile top soil,away of the fertile top soil,which determines the vegetational growth.which determines the vegetational growth.
77 One should not smokeOne should not smoke in the woods. Camps firein the woods. Camps fire and trash fires shouldand trash fires should be carefully tended and be carefully tended and thoroughly thoroughly extinguished.extinguished.
88 Grasses such as Grasses such as Cynodon dactylon Cynodon dactylon are utilised as erosion resisting plants. are utilised as erosion resisting plants.
Conservation of many such types of Conservation of many such types of grasses help in improving the soilgrasses help in improving the soil
fertility of the region for luxuriant growth of the fertility of the region for luxuriant growth of the plants.plants.
9 9 Reforestation in degraded forest and agricultural Reforestation in degraded forest and agricultural
wastelands with suitablewastelands with suitablestrains of tree species, strains of tree species,
which are viable, genetically which are viable, genetically superior and disease resistantsuperior and disease resistant
10.Protection of forest from illicit felling and 10.Protection of forest from illicit felling and overgrazing.overgrazing.
11.Establishment and maintenance of 11.Establishment and maintenance of 'germplasm banks' of wild species for future 'germplasm banks' of wild species for future genetic improvement and breeding genetic improvement and breeding programme.programme.
12. 12. The maintenance and preservation of The maintenance and preservation of germplasm of vegetatively propagated germplasm of vegetatively propagated species is often a difficult task. Hence to species is often a difficult task. Hence to
conseve these 'genepool' development conseve these 'genepool' development of tissues culture techniques should be of tissues culture techniques should be greatly emphasized. greatly emphasized.
13. Improvement of the heredity13. Improvement of the heredity
of trees and proper adoption ofof trees and proper adoption of
breeding techniques.breeding techniques.
14. The Management of natural 14. The Management of natural
forests, which will ensureforests, which will ensure
future productivity and future productivity and
environmental stability, environmental stability, should should
be practiced.be practiced.
15. If the principles and procedures of 15. If the principles and procedures of
"Social Forestry" are followed, the "Social Forestry" are followed, the
stress on the exploitation of renewable stress on the exploitation of renewable
forest resources can be minimised.forest resources can be minimised.
16. Conservation of endangered and endemic species 16. Conservation of endangered and endemic species in natural forests, which are the “guardians of in natural forests, which are the “guardians of diversity”, should be given prime importance.diversity”, should be given prime importance.
17. Proper utilization and management of non‑wood 17. Proper utilization and management of non‑wood based resources and establishment of " Energy based resources and establishment of " Energy Plantations".Plantations".
18. Implementation of effective and scientific 18. Implementation of effective and scientific methods to minimise the pollution of water, soil methods to minimise the pollution of water, soil and air to ensure high productivity of the and air to ensure high productivity of the biomass in this region. Prevention of water biomass in this region. Prevention of water pollution will protect the aquatic animal life.pollution will protect the aquatic animal life.
19. Improper land degradation due to mining 19. Improper land degradation due to mining activities should be stopped.activities should be stopped.
20. Sensible and wise use of forest products and 20. Sensible and wise use of forest products and
the public awareness about the importance of the public awareness about the importance of
forest wealth to mankind and ecosystem can forest wealth to mankind and ecosystem can
promote the conservationpromote the conservation
21. Control of soil erosion and establishment of 21. Control of soil erosion and establishment of
vegetative cover will provide fruit or browse for vegetative cover will provide fruit or browse for
wild animals. wild animals.
22. Efforts should be intensified 22. Efforts should be intensified to curb the destructive to curb the destructive activities of poachers.activities of poachers.
23. Stabilization of water levels in pools, ponds and lakes should be undertaken so as to prevent seasonal destruction of aquatic life through evaporation.
24. Development of renewable
resources in an area according
to the need of organisms
in the same area.
25. Prey - predator relation should be worked out based on the carrying capacity of the habitat. This will help in promoting the habitat improvement. 26. Conservation also includes restoration of those species, which can and should be restored.
27. Establishment of National Parks, National Sanctuaries are excellent areas for the preservation of natural biotic communities.
28. Establishment of Biosphere Reserves.
29. Development of electronics as a tool in the conservation of wildlife should be given prime importance as electronic devices are helpful in aerial photography, data collection of plants and animals, detection of forest fires, educational programmes and monitoring of animal movements.
30. Implementation of educational programmes to promote the knowledge of conservation and preservation of wildlife (including flora and fauna) should be done through literatures, scientific exhibitions, audio‑visual aids and conferences stressing upon environmental conservation
National Park
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Wetlands
Mangroves
Sacred Groves
Protected Landscapes
Ethnobiological Reserves
Reserve and Protected Forests
Preservation plots
Biosphere Reserves
Sacred Groves
Sacred groves comprise of patches of forests or natural vegetation from a few trees to forests of several acres – that are usually dedicated to local folk deities (Example – Ayyanar and Amman) or tree spirits (Vanadevatas).
These spaces are protected by local communities because of their religious beliefs and traditionalrituals that run through several generations.
In India 13,270 sacred groves are documented
Experts estimate is in the range of 100,000 – 150,000
Himachal Pradesh --- 5000
Karnataka --- 1424
Kerala --- 2000
Names of sacred State
groves
Devara kadu Karnataka
Deo Bhumi Himachal Pradesh
Kovil Kadu Pondcherry and TamilNadu
Kavus Kerala
Devrais Maharashtra
Mausmai Megalaya
Bugyal Uttaranchal
Machhiyal Uttaranchal & H.P.
(sacred water bodies)
31. Team of scientists from various disciplines like 31. Team of scientists from various disciplines like Botany, Zoology, Agriculture, Horticulture, Soil Botany, Zoology, Agriculture, Horticulture, Soil Science, Pharmacology, Engineering, Silviculture Science, Pharmacology, Engineering, Silviculture and Economics and trained foresters, and Economics and trained foresters, administrators, forest lovers‑all should be administrators, forest lovers‑all should be integrated in managing, promoting and integrated in managing, promoting and implementing conservation programmesimplementing conservation programmes
THANK YOU ALL