Department of Environmental Science and Manageme

ENV 107
Introduction to Environmental Science

Instructor: Md. Mostafizur Rahman, PhD

Email: mostafizur.rahman@northsouth.edu
Lecture 5 & 6: Biodiversity
Which do you like better?

A B
What is Biodiversity?
Bio = Life
Diversity=Variety
Biodiversity means-
 The diversity, or variety, of plants and animals and other living things in a
particular area or region.

 Also means the number, or abundance of different species living within a

particular region.
Types of ‘Biodiversity’
Major types of biodiversity-
 Species diversity- the variety and abundance of species in
a given area;
 Genetic diversity- variation of all living forms at the
genetic level e.g. genes, alleles (i.e. alternative form of
gene), or nucleic acid;
 Ecosystem diversity- the variety of ecosystem in the
biosphere or landscape;
 Functional diversity- the variety of processes that occur
within an ecosystem;
The word “diversity” is used in many contexts.
– What is “genetic diversity” within a species?
– What is meant by “species diversity” within an
ecosystem?
– Can there be genetic diversity within an
ecosystem?
– Can there be functional diversity within an
ecosystem?
 Functional Diversity: The biological and chemical Ecological Diversity: The
processes such as energy flow and matter recycling variety of terrestrial and
needed for the survival of species, communities, and aquatic ecosystems found
ecosystems. in an area or on the earth.

Solar
Chemical
nutrients (carbon
energy
Heat dioxide, oxygen,
nitrogen,
minerals)

Heat Heat

Decomposers Producers
(bacteria, fungi) (plants)

Consumers
(plant eaters,
Heat meat eaters) Heat

Genetic Diversity: The variety of Species Diversity: The number and

genetic material within a abundance of species present in
species or a population. different communities.
Species Diversity
Species diversity-
 Number or variety of species in a given area
 Number of different species that are represented in a given community
 Incorporates both species richness (i.e. Number of species per unit area) and species
evenness (i.e. number of individuals of different species).
Species Diversity
 Types of Species
Endemic species:
-is one whose habitat is restricted to a particular area; often endangered
-differs from “indigenous,” or “native,” (although it occurs naturally in an
area, is also fund in other areas).
Paleoendemic:
-confined to just one area. E.g., . Kiwi’s are confined to New Zealand.
Exotic Species:
-is any species intentionally or accidentally transported and released by
man into an environment outside its present range.
-most severe agents of habitat alteration and degradation, and major
cause of the continuing loss of biological diversity throughout the world.
For E.g., Acacia, Eucalyptus are exotic in Bangladesh
Cosmopolitan Species:
-common to the whole world.
Biodiversity Hotspot
 A biodiversity hotspot - Is a relatively small area with an exceptional
concentration of species.

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

Most hotspots are located in the tropics and most of them are
forests.

 Biodiversity hotspots are home to unique flora and fauna and these
regions have been identified as some of the world’s most important
ecosystems.

 To be considered as biodiversity hotspot, it must fulfill two criteria:

 Habitat should contain at least 1500 species of plants that are specific
to that area.
 More than 70% of the original habitat has been lost.
Biodiversity Hotspot
Biodiversity Hotspot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaQBaVeEbW8
 Biodiversity Hot Spots

17. Wallacea
18. The Philippines
1. The Tropical Andes
19. Indo-Burma
2. Mesoamerica
20. The Mountains of Southwest China
3. The Caribbean Islands
21. Western Ghats and Sri Lanka
4. The Atlantic Forest
22. Southwest Australia
5. Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena
23. New Caledonia
6. The Cerrado
24. New Zealand
7. Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian Forests
25. Polynesia and Micronesia
8. The California Floristic Province
26. The Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands
9. Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands
27. Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany
10. The Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa
28. The Eastern Afromontane
11. The Guinean Forests of West Africa
29. The Horn of Africa
12. The Cape Floristic Region
30. The Irano-Anatolian
13. The Succulent Karoo
31. The Mountains of Central Asia
14. The Mediterranean Basin
32. Eastern Himalaya
15. The Caucasus
33. Japan
16. Sundaland
34. East Melanesian Islands
35. The Forests of East Australia
 How many species are there on earth?
There is NO simple answer

Source: Mora C, Tittensor DP, Adl S, Simpson AGB, Worm B (2011) How Many Species Are There on Earth and in the Ocean? PLoS Biol 9(8): e1001127. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001127
Read: http://theconversation.com/how-many-species-on-earth-why-thats-a-simple-question-but-hard-to-answer-114909

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=130&v=_lOwi6upg4I&feature=emb_logo
Is it good to have more species diversity in a
landscape? If YES, Why?

Do single species have any importance?

Why is Biodiversity Important?
-Values are Subjective: Perspectives
-Values can vary at different scale such as global, regional and local scale

Local communities Land developer

Government and
Industry
non-government
agency

Source: Sterling/Frey © AMNH-CBC

Fisheries Environmental
group
 Values of Biodiversity
• Biodiversity provides excellent conditions for
and drives the processes that sustain species
survival.

• Biodiversity provides for ecological, economic

and cultural values to the world’s community.

• Climate change is changing species distribution

through shifting habitat, changing life cycles,
and development of new physical traits.

16
 Values of Biodiversity (cont)
• People need ecosystems for adaptation and
ecosystems need people.

• Biodiversity plays a major role in meeting human

needs directly while maintaining the ecological
processes upon which our survival depends.

• Biodiversity is a national asset and a powerful

contributor to economic development, provision of
natural resource, ecological processes, and improving
human wellbeing.

17
Categorizing Biodiversity Values

Direct Use Value: product that can be used directly. In other words, tangible
benefit that we get from biodiversity. For example. Wood, fodder, fuel etc..

Indirect Use Value: Intangible benefit or service that we get from biodiversity. For
example. flood control.

Services from
Biodiversity
 Direct Use

• Food
– Crops
– Livestock
– Capture Fisheries
– Aquaculture
– Wild Foods
• Fiber
– Timber
– Cotton, Hemp, Silk
– Wood Fuel
• Genetic Resources
• Biochemicals
 Indirect Use

• Air Quality Regulation

• Climate Regulation • Spiritual and Religious Values
– Global (CO2 sequestration) • Knowledge Systems
– Regional and local • Educational values
• Erosion Regulation • Inspiration
• Nutrient Regulation
• Aesthetic Values
• Water Purification
• Sense of Place
• Pollination
• Recreation and Ecotourism
• Natural Hazard Regulation
Ecosystem Diversity-Biosphere

http://w3.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/biome_main.htm
Factor Influencing Ecosystem Diversity
 Tolerance ranges of species
• Different species has different tolerance range for
various environmental parameter

http://www.mbbcollege.in/db/notes/469.pdf
 Factor influence Biodiversity
• Each species has a unique range, the set of locations where
members of that species are found on Earth.

• A species' range depends on the biotic (living)

and abiotic (non-living) conditions it needs for survival and on
geography.

• The ranges of species and the distribution of biomes (types of

ecosystems) are shaped by climate.

• A place's climate depends on global patterns of solar energy

input and air flow, as well as features like mountains and
bodies of water.
 Historical Unsustainable Land use Practices

Graphical depiction of our ecological footprint, i.e. human population density and degree of
transformation of natural habitats.
 Threats to Biodiversity
 Natural Originated –e.g. Natural disaster
 Man made Threats:
 Overexploitation
 Habitat Loss
 Habitat Fragmentation
 Exotic/invasive species
 Pollution
 Climate change
Fig. Structure of the IUCN Red List Categories showing how species are classified in terms
of extinction risk.
Biodiversity Conservation Approach
Biodiversity of Bangladesh
 Due to its unique geographical location, Bangladesh is
exceptionally endowed with a diverse variety of flora and fauna

A hoolock gibbon in the evergreen forests An evergreen forest landscape of Sylhet

of Sylhet region
 Floral species of Bangladesh

N.B. Angiosperm-Flowering plants; Gymnosperms-non-flowering, seed producing plants

(Cycas, Pinus); Pteridophytes produce neither flowers nor seeds (Fern)
Source: IUCN
Faunal species of Bangladesh

Source: IUCN
 Biodiversity loss in Bangladesh
The country has lost 10% of its mammalian fauna, 3% avifauna and 4% reptiles over the last 180 years.

Sloth Beer

Nilgai Swamp Deer

Biodiversity loss in Bangladesh…continue
Forest areas of
Bangladesh
Protected Areas of Bangladesh for Conservation
 In Bangladesh, the concept of protect
area is quite new. Until today, there are
50 PAs in Bangladesh that includes Marine
reserve, Marine Park, National Park,
wildlife sanctuary, Dolphin Sanctuary,
Safari Park, Eco-Park and National Botanic
Garden.

 At present, there are 37 forest

protected areas out of 50 PA’s in
Bangladesh covering nearly 0.27 million
hectares of forests land managed.

 These forest PAs represents 1.8% of

total land masses of the country, 10% of
total forest land and 17% of forest land
managed by Forest Department (Ahsan et
al. 2016).
 National Park Protected Areas of BD
“National Park means Bhawal National Park
Madhupur National Park
comparatively large
Ramsagar National Park
areas of outstanding Himchari National Park
scenic and natural beauty Lawachara National Park
with the primary object of Kaptai National Park
protection and Nijhum Dweep National Park
Medhakachhapia National Park
preservation of scenery,
Satchari National Park
flora, fauna in natural Khadimnagar National Park
state to which access for Baroiyadhala National Park
public recreation, Kuakata National Park
education and research Nababgonj National Park
Singra National Park
may be allowed”.
Kadigarh National Park
Altadighi National Park
Birgonj National Park
 Wildlife Sanctuary
“Wildlife Sanctuary means an area closed to hunting,
shooting or trapping of wild animals and declared as
undisturbed breeding ground primarily for the protection
of wildlife inclusive of all natural resources, such as
vegetation, soil and water”.
Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary
Char Kukri-Mukri Wildlife Sanctuary
Sundarban (East) Wildlife Sanctuary
Sundarban (West) Wildlife Sanctuary
Sundarban (South) Wildlife Sanctuary
Pablakhali Wildlife Sanctuary
Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary
Fashiakhali Wildlife Sanctuary
Hajarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary
Dudpukuria-Dhopachari Wildlife Sanctuary
Sangu Wildlife Sanctuary
Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary
Tengragiri Wildlife Sanctuary
Dudhmukhi Wildlife Sanctuary
Chadpai Wildlife Sanctuary
Dhangmari Wildlife Sanctuary
Sonarchar Wildlife Sanctuary
Nazirganj Wildlife (Dolphin) Sanctuary
Nagarbari-Mohanganj Dolphine Sanctuary
Shilanda-Nagdemra Wildlife (Dolphin)
Sanctuary
 Ecologically Critical Areas
An Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) is an environmental
protection zone in Bangladesh. In 1995, specific areas in
Bangladesh could be deemed Ecologically Critical Areas as a
result of the Environmental Conservation Act.

In 1995 after the enactment of the Bangladesh Environment

Conservation Act, 1995 the Government is empowered to
declare an area which is enriched with unique biodiversity
and environmentally significant and shall need protection or
conservation from destructive activities as ecologically critical
area (ECA).
Ecologically critical areas of Bangladesh

It is worth mentioning that most of the ECA are wetlands.

 Discussion
What would be the most effective way for humans to reduce the loss of
biodiversity?
A Supporting the deforestation of the rainforest
B Creating more shelter for human near forest areas
C Creating large preserves in biodiversity hotspots
D Introducing non-native species into new areas
Which of the following is true regarding the value of
biodiversity?
A Biodiversity has ecological value, but not economic value.
B Biodiversity has economic value, but not ecological value.
C Biodiversity has neither economic nor ecological value.
D Biodiversity has both economic and ecological value.
Thanks for your attention
 Reading materials
1. Book: Daniel B. Botkin and Edward A. Keller. 2000. Environmental Science: Earth as a living
planet. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [Book Chapter-5 and 8]

2. Protected Areas of Bangladesh http://www.bforest.gov.bd/

Biodiversity (current status): http://www.bforest.gov.bd/
Ecologically Critical Area: http://doe.portal.gov.bd/sites

3. Book: NRC 1999. Perspectives on biodiversity: valuing its role in an everchanging world.
Washington, DC: National Academy Press. 129 p. [Chapter 2 and Chapter 3]