140 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

H
uman, as a herbivore and carnivore
with a very wide dietary range, is
remarkably well equipped to exploit
the variable habitats of the world and
consumes a substantial number of different
plant and animal species. Early humans were
dependent on those plants that produced
substantial volumes of readily digestible food
uncontaminated by toxic or unpleasant oils or
alkaloids. They were also dependent upon
herbivores that were capable of relatively easy
management. They tended to carry out genetic
improvements within the narrow range of
stock domesticated early in history.
Recent researches have shown that a
number of large wild ungulates are capable of
producing meat using unimproved natural
vegetation on the same scale as improved
domestic stock eating much more heavily
managed and altered vegetation. Methods of
extracting leaf protein from a range of plants
have opened up the possibility of cropping wild
self-sustaining vegetation without intensive
cultivation. The green revolution is the most
important outcome of new varieties of seeds,
insecticides and fertilisers. It is also the source
of air, water and land pollution. The capacity
of the earth to support human population
evidently, depends on a balance between
population density and available natural
resources. It is affected not only by primary
production and available energy sources but
also by the level of scientific knowledge leading
to their wise use.
LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity exists at three different levels,
namely species diversity, which is reflected
by morphological, physiological and genetic
features; genetic diversity, which comprises
genetic or other variations within a species;
and ecosystem diversity, which is reflected
in diverse biogeographic zones, such as lakes,
deserts, coasts, estuaries, etc. The conser-
vation of these ecosystems is a major
challenge.
Humans have directly influenced the kind
and distribution of the earths biotic stock.
Increasing impact of humans on the biotic
patterns of the earth is an outcome of a
growing population and its requirement for
food and shelter. Human demands for
resources result in the death of some species
and survival of others. The early humans were
hunters and gatherers. We may call them
primitive but from the ecological point of view
they were not backward. Their lifestyle was a
successful adaptation to the call of nature
given the knowledge and technology of the
time.
The prehistoric overkill by early humans in
association with deterioration in climate has
been recognised as principal factors for the
mammal extinction during the geological
period (Pleistocene, about 2 million years ago).
This episode of megafaunal extinction has not
ended, it is presently being extended to the
earths marine environment. This is the result
of technology that has increased the influence
of humans within the depths of the worlds
oceans. The modern age of extinction is not
centred on any one group of animals such as
megafauna, but has affected a variety of
animals, especially birds, fish and reptiles.
Technological innovations and socioeconomic
factors serve to fuel the modern age of
extinction.
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CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
CHAPTER
141
In the wake of the extinction, a new food
source based on domesticated plants and
animals became increasingly important.
Mechanisation and industrialisation of till
agriculture has created enormous grain
surpluses. But in the course of producing
these surpluses, humans series of changes in
the land has caused disruption in the pattern
of natural communities and soils. These
changes in turn have resulted in degradation
of communities, both near and far. Freshwater
systems have undergone especially large
changes; till agriculture has also affected
organisms of the marine environment.
In this age of industry and urbanisation,
the growing population translates into more
lands being cleared of their forests, more soils
being tilled to grow crops and more areas used
to erect homes, construct roads, build parking
lots and all the activities that channel
resources toward urban locations. The loss of
soil, movement of nutrients and contami-
nation of the environment with toxic materials
are symptomatic of the excessive use of energy
and unchecked outputs. Human manipula-
tion of nature results in fragmented and
incomplete systems. They have negative
impact on air, water, soil and biotic resources
of the planet.
Nearly 2 per cent of the known animals and
8 per cent of the known plants of the world
today are at risk of extinction. Virtually, every
industrial activity has a negative effect on
water quality. Rain has become acid; till
agriculture is a problem because of irrigation,
erosion and runoff of pesticides and fertilisers;
urban areas and highways are a problem
because of altered runoff and spillage of toxic
substances; mining presents a problem
because of its impact on drainage and runoff
of mine wastes; industrial and urban sewerage
contain hazardous substances and cause
eutrophication; all diminish the quality of
freshwater systems.
Life has evolved over millions of years into
a highly integrated fabric. Life is resilient but
it needs space. When any part of the pattern
of plant, animal or soil life is destroyed, the
whole fabric of life becomes diminished. The
desirable condition is a world where, instead
of deterioration of major resources, there is
recovery; where instead of extinction of
species there is continuation of species. It is
within the power of humans to make cultural
adjustments that would enhance the future
patterns of life. Future generations will realise
the wisdom (or lack thereof) of our age by
noting the failures and successes we have had
in sustaining biodiversity and hence the
quality of life on the earth.
CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
The goal of conservation strategy must be to
ensure that evolution continues allowing
natural forces to maintain and evolve species.
This will maintain gene pools and retain
genetic traits that may prove valuable in the
future. Future efforts to protect species and to
prevent rare ones from extinction will depend
on how human interaction with biosphere
affects them.
The social, ethical, cultural and economic
values of biological diversity have long been
recognised in religion, art and literature. The
concept of biodiversity conservation is not new
in India. The villagers have been found using
more than 100 species of plants that are
commonly used in performing various rituals
and are planted by them in their farmyard.
Project Tiger, launched in 1973, succeeded in
increasing the tiger population. The critical
problem is not merely the conservation of
species or habitat but the continuation of
process of conservation.
The Government of India, along with 155
other nations have signed the Convention of
Biodiversity at the Earth Summit held at Rio-
di-Janerio, Brazil in June 1992. The National
Conservation Strategy outlines the policy
action required to give greater attention to
biodiversity conservation. The World
Conservation Strategy has suggested the
following steps for biodiversity conservation:
(i) Efforts should be made to preserve the
species that are endangered;
(ii) Prevention of extinction requires sound
planning and management;
(iii) Varieties of food crops, forage plants,
CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
142 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
timber trees, livestock, animals, and their
wild relatives should be preserved;
(iv) Each country should identify habitats of
wild relatives and ensure their protection;
(v) Habitats where species feed, breed, nurse
their youngs and rest should be safe-
guarded and protected;
(vi) International trade in wild plants and
EXERCISES
Review Questions
1. Answer the following questions:
(i) How are plants important to human beings?
(ii) Mention the importance of animals to humankind.
(iii) What are different types of biodiversity?
(iv) What is conservation of biodiversity?
(v) What changes have taken place after the launch of the Project Tiger?
2. Distinguish between:
(i) National park and sanctuaries;
(ii) Exploitation and conservation of forest;
(iii) Genetic and species diversity.
3. Describe various measures of conservation of biodiversity as suggested by the World
Conservation Strategy.
Project Work
Collect names of national parks and sanctuaries of the state where your school is located.
Also prepare a map showing their location.
animals be regulated.
To protect, preserve and propagate varied
natural bounty, the Government of India
passed the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972,
under which national parks and sanctuaries
were created. There are 66 national parks and
368 sanctuaries in India today. Steps have
also been taken to conserve forests.