BIODIVERSITY

What is Biodiversity?
Bio – life
Diversity – number of species found in a community
- the quality or state of having many different
forms, types, ideas, etc.

Biodiversity is the vast array of all the species of

plants, animals, insects and the microorganisms
inhabiting the earth either in the aquatic or the
terrestrial habitats. – Dr. Y.K. Singh; Envi Sci

Biodiversity is the existence of many different kinds

of plants and animals in an environment – Merriam-Webster
SPECIES
 Take note of small and capital letters

 Eukaryotes and prokaryotes

 Take note of small and capital letters
3 Related and Hierarchically Arranged
Types of Diversity
 Genetic diversity
 It includes the genetic variations within species, both among
geographically separated populations and among individuals within single
population.
 Species diversity
 It includes full range of species from micro organisms to giants and
mammoth varieties of plants and animals, e.g. single celled viruses and
bacteria etc. and multi-cellular plants, animals and fungi.
 Ecosystems diversity
 It studies variation in the biological communities in which species Jive,
exist and interact.
LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY

 Natural Causes
 Species arise through processes of mutation, isolation, and natural
selection. Evolution can proceed gradually over millions of years or
may occur in large jumps when new organisms migrate into an
area or when environmental conditions change rapidly.
 Human-Caused Extinction
 Man has a long history of dependence on biological resource ; in a
variety of ways through ignorance or carelessness, we have
reduced biological abundance and driven species into extinction.
 LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY

the red eared slider (Trachemis scripta elegans) was imported into Italy from the United States as a pet animal, but when people
started to free them in the ponds (because they became too big) this triggered a competitive mechanism between the American
slider and the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis)
Not cleaning the surroundings may lead to migration of dirt-loving organisms that may cause diseases to other living organisms
Another example would be the pest of Palawan’s mango that’s why it is not advised to ship it outside palawan
LOSS OF
BIODIVERSITY
LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY

The estimation from the

fossil record suggests that
the average life of a species
is about 4 million years.
According to an estimate, if
there are about 10 million
species a year at a moderate
estimate, we are now likely
to lose around 50,000
species a year over the next
decades. According to the
IUCN Red Data Book, the
following is a broad list of
threatened animals:
MEASURING BIODIVERSITY

 Alpha Diversity indicates the number of species in a single

community. The index can be used to compare the number of species
in different ecosystem type; diversity within a particular area or
ecosystem
 Beta Diversity indicates the degree to which species composition
changes along an environmental gradient; the change in diversity
between ecosystems
 Gamma Diversity indicates the rate at which additional species are
encountered as geographical replacements within a habitat type in
different localities.; the overall diversity in a landscape comprised of
several ecosystems
 THE VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY
Direct Values
 Consumptive and productive uses
 Food Resources –Grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts,
condiments, tea-coffee, tobacco, liquor, oil from plant
resources; and meat, fish, egg, milk (and milk products),
honey, etc. from animal resources.
 Product –Medicine, fuel, timber, household accessories,
fodder, fiber, fertilizer, wool, leather, paint, resin, wax,
thatch. Ornamental plants, rubber, creams, silk, feathers,
decorative items, etc.
The consumptive use value is the value placed on nature’s products that are consumed directly, without passing through a
market. When direct consumption involves recreation, as in sport fishing and game viewing, the consumptive use value is the
whole recreational experience. The productive use value, on the other hand, refers to products which are commercially
harvested or used. Productive use of resources such as timber, fish, medicinal plants, honey, construction materials, mushrooms,
fruits and so forth have a major impact on the national economy.
THE VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY
Indirect Values
Non-consumptive uses and options for the future.
1. Carbon fixing through photosynthesis, which provides the support system for species.
2. Pollination, gene flow, etc.
3. Maintaining water cycles, recharging ground water, protecting watersheds.
4. Buffering from climatic extreme conditions such as flood and drought;
5. Soil production and protection from erosion;
6. Maintaining essential nutrient cycles, e.g. carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen and others.
7. Absorbing and decomposing pollutants, organic wastes, pesticides, air and water pollutants;
8. Regulating climate at both macro and micro levels;
9. Preserving recreational, aesthetic, socio-cultural, scientific, educational, ethical and historical
values of natural environments.
For example high densities of birds in a certain area may limit the abundance of pests which would otherwise destroy crops; the birds themselves require a natural forest
for nesting. The indirect values include non-consumptive use value, option value and existence value. The non-consumptive use value are those which deal with nature’s
functions and services. These include photosynthetic fixation of solar energy and thereby providing the support system for other species, maintaining water cycles,
regulating climate, production and protection of soil, absorption and breakdown of pollutants, recreational, easthetic, socio-cultural , scientific, educational, spiritual , and
historical values of natural environments
THE VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY

In essence, mankind has been very dependent on the richness of his

environment
 Consumptive Use. Man is mostly dependent on plant and animal
resources for his dietary requirements.
 Productive Use. Trade and commerce industry is very largely
dependent on forests. Besides, timber, firewood, paper pulp, and
other wood products, we get many valuable commercial products
from forests.
 Medicine. Many medicinal and aromatic plants are being exploited in
the wild to tap their potential for different ailment cure in the field
of drug extraction.
THE VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY

 Ecological Benefits. Man cannot have control over nature in the wild. It can only
put “pressure on resources and pollute environment. Then what makes
environment act as a self-replenishing system with respect to resource
generation and self cleanliness.
 Aesthetic Use. Wild species of plants and animals have always appealed man’s
psyche. He enjoys decorating the surroundings with plants and animals.
 Cultural Benefits. A particular species or community of organisms may have
emotional value for a group of people who feel that their identity is inextricably
linked to the natural components of the environment that shaped their culture.
We often place a high value on preservation of some species.
 Option Values. This refers to the use of various species for the benefit of
mankind, sometime in future. Hunt of some species for finding solutions to
environmental issues like pollution.
 MAIN CAUSES OF THREATS TO SPECIES

 Habitat Destruction –
Deforestation has been one of
the major causes for the
depletion of wildlife. With the
increase in human population
and the growing need for
resources, forests were cleared
or for agricultural operations,
for human habitation and for
grazing their livestock.
MAIN CAUSES OF THREATS TO SPECIES
 Hunting and Poaching –Uncontrolled hunting of wildlife for pleasure (like fun
and games purposes), food, furs. Skins, horns, tusks, etc. pose a serious
threat to the survival of wildlife. In India, the Cheetah was hunted to
extinction.
 MAIN CAUSES OF THREATS TO SPECIES
 Pollution—air, water and soil pollution due to various industrial activities not
only affect our health, but the health and well being of animal population
also.
CLASSIFICATION OF SPECIES

 Endangered (E) –Species in danger of extinction and whose survival is unlikely if

the casual factors continue operating, included are species whose numbers have
been reduced to a critical level or whose habitats have been so drastically
reduced that they are deemed to be in immediate danger of extinction.
 Vulnerable (V) –Species believed likely to move into the endangered category in
the near future if the casual factors continue operating. Included are species, of
which most or all the populations are decreasing because of over-exploitation,
extensive destruction of habitat or other environmental disturbance; species
with populations that have been seriously depleted and whose ultimate security
is not yet assured; and species with populations that are still abundant but are
under threat from serious adverse factors throughout their range.
 Rare (R) –Species with, small world populations that are not at present
endangered or vulnerable, but are at risk. These species are usually localized
within restricted geographical areas or habitats or thinly scattered over a more
extensive range.
CLASSIFICATION OF SPECIES

 Threatened (T) –Threatened is used in the conservation context for

species which are in one of the categories of being Endangered,
Vulnerable or Rare. Some species are marked as threatened where it
is known that they are Endangered, Vulnerable or Rare, but there is
not enough information to say which of these three categories is
appropriate.
 Out of Danger (O) –Species formerly included in one of the above
categories, but which are now considered relatively secure because
effective conservation measures have been taken or the previous
threat to their survival has been removed.
 Indeterminate (I) –Species that are suspected of belonging to one of
the first three categories, but for which insufficient information is
currently available.