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:- agdprasad@yahoo.comMobile; 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