What is biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of all living things; the different plants, animals and micro organisms,
the genetic information they contain and the ecosystems they form. Biodiversity is usually
explored at three levels - genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity.

the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat, a high level of which is
usually considered to be important and desirable.

Biodiversity and food webs

Biodiversity is referred to as the web of life because many microorganisms, plants
and animals interact with each other. The relationship among species is an
important part of biodiversity.
A food chain is a sequence of who eats whom. The usual order of a food chain is
sunlight, plants, herbivore, omnivore and/or carnivore. In one type of farming food
chain, green grass and wildflowers use sunlight to grow in a field maintained by a
farmer called a pasture

Genetic diversity is the variety of genes within a species. Each species is made up of
individuals that have their own particular genetic composition. This means a species may have
different populations, each having different genetic compositions. To conserve genetic diversity,
different populations of a species must be conserved.

Species diversity is the variety of species within a habitat or a region. Some habitats, such as
rainforests and coral reefs, have many species. Others, such as salt flats or a polluted stream,
have fewer

Ecosystem diversity is the variety of ecosystems in a given place. An ecosystem is a

community of organisms and their physical environment interacting together.An ecosystem can
cover a large area, such as a whole forest, or a small area, such as a pond.

Pp ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY

= It is the variation in the ecosystems found in a region or the variation in ecosystems

over the whole planet

Pp SPECIES DIVERSITY

= the number of different species that are represented in a given community

Pp GENETIC DIVERSITY

genetic variability among individuals within

each species
CONCEPTS IN SPECIES DIVERSITY

 Species richness: number of species found in a community or ecosystem

 Species evenness: the abundance of individuals within each of species which exist in a given
community /ecosystem

 Species abundance:the most abundant species: Relative abundance of species X =

 no. of species X____

total no. of species

copy

 Alpha diversity refers to diversity within a particular area, community or ecosystem, and is
measured by counting the number of taxa within the ecosystem (usually species)[5]
 Beta diversity is species diversity between ecosystems; this involves comparing the number of
taxa that are unique to each of the ecosystems.
 Gamma diversity is a measurement of the overall diversity for different ecosystems within a
region

What drove/drives diversity

Biological Evolution: change in inherited characteristics of a population from generation to generation.

Speciation: begins when populations become isolated by changes in geography or by shifts in behavior
so that they no longer interbreed.

BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION

mechanisms of evolution

1. Natural Selection

2. Mutation

3. Migration & Isolation

4. Genetic Drift: genetic variation because of randomness

Speciation: begins when populations become isolated by changes in geography or by shifts in

behavior so that they no longer interbreed.

"বববববববব: বববব ববব ববব বববববববব ববববববব

বববববববব বব বববব বববববববববব ববববববব
ববববববববব বববব বববব, বববব বববব বব
ববববববববববব বব বববব
. What drove/drives diversity

Some animal phyla contain millions of species while others have just one, and researchers are
just beginning to understand why

BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION
 4 mechanisms of evolution

1. Natural Selection

2. Mutation

3. Migration & Isolation

4. Genetic Drift: genetic variation because of randomness

beneficial | useless | harmful:

Examples of beneficial mutation:

-mutations in humans not allowing HIV to bind to host cells,

-evolution of trichromatic vision in humans(Bower, 1998)

3. Migration & geographic isolation

• Sometimes two populations of the same species become geographically isolated from each
other for a long time.

During that time, the two populations may change so much that they can no longer reproduce
together even when they are brought back into contact

4. Genetic drift

Genetic drift: changes in the frequency of a gene in a population due to chance (not the other 3).
 5. Species Interactions

3 ways in which species interact

1. Predation is when a predator organism (“hunter”) feeds on another living organism or

organisms, known as prey. The predator always lowers the prey’s fitness (survival +
reproduction). It does this by keeping the prey from surviving, reproducing, or both. Predator-
prey relationships are essential to maintaining the balance of organisms in an ecosystem

3 types of predation=>

I. true predation

II. grazing

III. parasitism

IV. Importance of predators in an ecosystem:

V. Predators play an important role in an ecosystem. For example, if they did not exist, then a
single species could become dominant over others. Grazers on a grassland keep grass from
 growing out of control. There are species that can have a large effect on the balance of
organisms in an ecosystem. For example, if all of the wolves are removed from a population,
then the population of deer or rabbits may increase. If there are too many deer, then they may
decrease the amount of plants or grasses in the ecosystem. Decreased levels of producers may
then have a detrimental effect on the whole ecosystem.

. Competition: is a relationship between organisms that strive for the same resources in the same
place.

I. Intra-specific: within the same species

II. Inter-specific: among different species

3. SYMBIOSIS IS A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TWO SPECIES IN WHICH AT LEAST ONE SPECIES
BENEFITS.

I. Mutualism (+ve|+ve) is a symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit.

II. Commensalism (+ve|0)is a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits while the other
species is not affected.

Parasitism (+ve | -ve) is a symbiotic relationship in which one species (the parasite) benefits while
the other species (the host) is harmed

6. Competition & Ecological Niche

 Fig. Sharing the wealth: resource partitioning of five species of insect-eating warblers in the
spruce forests of Maine.Each species minimizes competition with the others for food by spending at
least half its feeding time in a distinct portion(shaded areas) of the spruce trees, and by consuming
somewhat different insect species

Factors affecting diversity

1. Disturbance (low, moderate, high)

2. Presence of invasive alien species

3. Human population

4. Overexploitation of natural resource

5. Habitat loss and fragmentation

6. High diversity at one trophic level increases diversity at another level

Climate (temperature & precipitation

TYPES OF SPECIES

• Foundation species: A species that plays a major role in shaping communities by creating and
enhancing a habitat that benefits

• other species.

• Keystone Species: Species that play roles affecting many other organisms in an ecosystem.

• Endemic Species: Species that is found in only one area. Such species are especially vulnerable
to extinction.

• Indicator Species: Species that serve as early warnings that a community or ecosystem is being
degraded.

• Native species are those species that normally live and thrive in a particular community. Other
species that migrate into or are deliberately or accidentally introduced into an community are
called nonnative species, alien species or exotic species

• Sometimes, however, a nonnative species can crowd out native species and cause unintended
and unexpected adverse consequences. Then these are called alien invasive species (especially
if its difficult to stop their spread)

Patterns in Biodiversity

ENVIRONMENTAL/ECOLOGICAL GRADIENTS

An environmental /ecological gradient is a gradual change in abiotic factors through space (or time).
Environmental gradients can be related to factors such as

1)altitude,

2)temperature,

3) depth,

4) ocean proximity

5) soil humidity.

Species abundances usually change along environmental gradients in a more or less predictive way.
However, the species abundance along an environmental gradient is not only determined by the
abiotic factor but, also by the change in the biotic interactions, like competition, along the
environmental gradient.
Example: Latitudinal Gradient of Biodiversity
ECOLOGICAL GRADIENTS

Several Hypotheses

1. Geographical area hypothesis (Blackburn et al, 1997)

Larger biomes in tropics-> lower extinction risk(Rosenzweig 2003).

2. Species-energy hypothesis:

 Amount of energy sets limits to species richness (Fraser &

Curriet, 1997).

 More energy in the tropic – more species diversity

3. Climate harshness hypothesis:

physiological limitations of species in higher latitudes.

Fewer species can tolerate harsh climate.

4. Climate stability hypothesis: stable environment found in the tropics -> opportunity to specialize on
predictable resources, allowing to occupy narrower niches -> facilitates speciation.

(Morueta-Holme, 2013)
Earth system

EARTH SYSTEM COMPONENTS

PLATE TECTONICS
THEORY

Collected: From the deepest ocean trench to the tallest mountain, plate tectonics explains
the features and movement of Earth's surface in the present and the past. Plate tectonics is
the theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle, the
rocky inner layer above the core

Plate tectonics, theory dealing with the dynamics of Earth's outer shell—the lithosphere—that
revolutionized Earth sciences by providing a uniform context for understanding mountain-
building processes, volcanoes, and earthquakes as well as the evolution of Earth's surface and
reconstructing its past continents and

If you look at a map of the world, you may notice that some of the
continents could fit together like pieces of a puzzle…..the shape of
Africa and South America are a good example.
 1) According to the theory of plate tectonics, the earth’s outer shell
is not one solid piece of rock. Instead the earth’s crust is broken
into a number of moving plates. The plates vary in size and
thickness.

1) Shape of continents 2)Magnetic pole drift 3) Hot spots 4)Magnetic

striping and age of seabed 5)Similarities in fauna and flora

This theory was rejected because people did not understand how the
plate moves.

Most people know that Earth is moving around the Sun and that it is
constantly spinning. But did YOU know that the continents and
oceans are moving across the surface of the planet? Volcanoes and
earthquakes as well as mountain ranges and islands all are results of
this movement.

CONTINENTAL DRIFT THEORY

Theory of continental drift is the idea that the continents have moved
horizontally to their current locations. 1. This theory was developed
by Alfred Wegener.2. Wegener believed that all of the continents
were connected as one large land mass (he called Pangea) about 200
million years ago. Rock, Fossil and Climate clues were the main
evidence for continental drift during Wegener’s lifetime. Wegener’s
theory was often rejected because no one could explain how the
continents moved.
EVIDENCE OF CONTINENTAL DRIFT THEORY:
FOSSIL RECORD

Wegner’s theory was that about 180 million years ago, Pangaea began
to break up into separate continents. To back this theory up, he
perserved remains and evidence from ancient animals and plants
from South America, Africa, India, and Australia that were almost
identical.

Seafloor Spreading

In Wegener’s theory, continents “plowed” through the sea like bull-

dozers. Not the case. Continents are actually connected to plates,
which move

Continents actually move with lithospheric plates that are pushed by

Mid-Ocean ridges.

MID OCEANIC RIDGE

Harry Hess Discovered Mid oceanic Ridge. Spreading centers for

tectonic plates. Noticed magnetic stripes on the ocean floor which
proved that new crustwas being created at these ocean ridges.
Provided the mechanism for how the plates moved.

PLATE MOVEMENT

• Convergent, divergent and transform movement . Divergent

boundaries are where plates move away from each other

• Convergent boundaries are where the plates move towards each

other
 • Transform boundaries are where the plates slide past each
other.

Origin of Himalayan Mountain

Earth’s highest mountain range, the Himalayas, was formed millions

of years ago when the Indo-Australian Plate crashed into the Eurasian
Plate. Even today, the Indo-Australian Plate continues to push against
the Eurasian Plate at a rate of about 5 cm a year!

GAIA HYPOTHESIS

Earth is a living organism much like us human beings. The Gaia

hypothesis has both scientific and philosophical components. this
theory, proposed by James Lovelock. In 1965, J.E. Lovelock published
the first scientific paper suggesting the Gaia hypothesis. The Gaia
hypothesis states that the temperature and composition of the
Earth's surface are actively controlled by life on the planet. The Gaia
theory suggests that the abiotic and biotic environment is made up of
many complex interrelationships. The theory also suggests that
humans must learn to respect Gaia by reducing their intentional
modification of the Earth's abiotic and biotic components. For
understanding better please see the vedio :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvqMamiu2b4
The Gaia hypothesis is an ecological hypothesis proposing that the biosphere and the physical components of the
Earth (atmosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere) are closely integrated to form a complex interacting
system that maintains the climatic and biogeochemical conditions on Earth in a preferred homeostasis. Originally
proposed by James Lovelock as the earth feedback hypothesis, [1] it was named the Gaia Hypothesis after the Greek
supreme goddess of Earth.[2] The hypothesis is frequently described as viewing the Earth as a single organism.
Lovelock and other supporters of the idea now call it Gaia theory, regarding it as a scientific theory and not mere
hypothesis, since they believe it has passed predictive tests
Environment is the interconnected and interdependent complex
system composed of of biotic and abiotic components . Abiotic
components are non-living chemical and physical factors in
the environment. Biotic components are living being. Biotic
components usually include: Producers, i.e. autotrophs: e.g. plants;
they convert the energy (from the sun, or other sources such
as hydrothermal vents) into food. Consumers, i.e. heterotrophs: e.g.
animals; they depend upon producers for food. Decomposers,
i.e. detritivores: e.g. fungi and bacteria; they break down chemicals
from producers and consumers into simpler form which can be
reused.

Environment
(classification
Every organism in this earth is surrounded by a lot of things; say other
organisms, plants, water, air, light, land etc. These surroundings of the
organism, all the living and non-living things constitute its
environment

THE PLANET EARTH UNDER PRESSURE

We will discuss about global environmental issues in the next lecture.

We will learn the concept of Anthropocene : A human dominated
planet.

Ecology
Ecology is the science that focuses on how organisms
interact with one another and with their non-living
environment of matter and energy”
Ecology= Oikos + LogosOikos= home Logos= study
- interaction
- living + living
- living + lon-living
- 4 “Laws” of Ecology
- 1.Everything is connected to everything else.
There is one ecosphere for all living organisms and what affects
one, affects all.
(Ecosystem complexity & interconnectedness)
2. Everything must go somewhere.
no matter what you do, and no matter what you use, it has to
go somewhere. For example, when you burn wood, it doesn't
disappear, it turns into smoke which rises into the air, and ash,
which falls back down to the earth.
(1st law of thermodynamics
3. Nature knows best.
Humankind has fashioned technology to improve upon nature,
but such change in a natural system is, says Commoner, "likely
to be detrimental to that system
4. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
Exploitation of nature will inevitably involve the conversion of
resources from useful to useless forms.
(Tradeoffs). Exploitation of nature always carries an ecological
cost.
Has 4 Components (Spheres)
3 Factors Sustain Life
1. Flow of energy
2. Cycling of nutrients
3.Gravity
3 factors which sustain life on earth (From Miller & Spoolman –
Chapter 3s)
1.The one-way flow of high-quality energy from the sun,
through living things in their feeding interactions, into the
environment as low-quality energy
(mostly heat dispersed into air or water at a low temperature),
and eventually back into space as heat. No round-trips are
allowed because high-quality energy cannot be recycled. The
two laws of thermodynamics (1. conservation of energy, 2.
entropic dissipation) (Concepts 2-3A and 2-3B, p. 34) govern
this energy flow.
2.The cycling of nutrients (the atoms, ions, or molecules needed
for survival by living organisms) through parts of the biosphere.
Because the earth is closed
to significant inputs of matter from space, its essentially fixed
supply of nutrients must be continually recycled to support life.
Nutrient movements in ecosystems and in the biosphere are
round-trips, which can take from seconds to centuries to
complete. The law of conservation of matter (i.e. Whenever
matter undergoes a physical or chemical change, no atoms are
created or destroyed) governs this nutrient cycling process.
Components of an ecosystem
Two types of components make up the biosphere and its
ecosystems:
1. abiotic: consists of nonliving components such as water,
air, nutrients, rocks, heat, and solar energy
2. biotic:consists of living biological components— plants,
animals, and microbes.
3. 3.Gravity, which allows the planet to hold onto its
atmosphere and helps to enable the movement and
cycling of chemicals through the air, water,
The main groups of decomposer organisms are bacteria and
fungi.
Decomposition is a chemical reaction where a complex
compound is broken down into simpler compounds.
Detritus feeders:
soil, and organisms
Components of an ecosystem:
Biotic
Producers and Consumers are the Living
components of ecosystems
Producers: those organisms which can produce their own
“food” (eg:green plants). Also called autotrophs. On Land most
producers are green plants. In a process called photosynthesis
plants make their own food (glucose)

In freshwater or marine ecosystems: algae & aquatic plants.

Types of Producers/Autotrophs
1. Photoautotrophs: Photo=light (photons)
Food making process: Photosynthesis

Examples: green plants, cyanobacteria

Types of Producers/Autotrophs
1. Photoautotrophs: Photo=light (photons)
Food making process: Photosynthesis
Examples: green plants, cyanobacteria
2. Chemoautotrophs:
Food making process: chemosynthesis
They are capable of using inorganic compounds such as
hydrogen sulfide, sulfur, ammonium and synthesize organic
compounds (eg: carbohydrates) from carbon dioxide
Chemoautotrophs are those that make their own food
by chemosynthesis. Chemosynthesis is a process by which some
organisms, such as certain bacteria, use chemical energy to
produce carbohydrates. They are capable of utilizing inorganic
compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, sulfur, ammonium, and
ferrous iron as reducing agents, and synthesize organic
compounds from carbon dioxide. Chemoautotrophs are found
in hostile habitats such as deep sea vents and where light
cannot easily penetrate through. They include
Consumers: those organisms which depend on other producers
or consumers for food (eg: fish, bear, elephant, tiger). Also
called heterotrophs (other feeders).
There are different types of consumers
Different types of consumers
1. Primary: herbibores (eat plants)
2. Secondary: carnivores (meat eaters) feeding on other
herbivores.
3. Tertiary: feed on other carnivores
 4. Quarternary: feed on other carnivores
5. Decomposers & Detrivores
Decomposers: are consumers that release nutrients from the
dead bodies of plants and animals and return them to the
soil, water, and air for reuse by producers. Eg: bacteria or
fungi.
Detrivores: detritus feeders, feed on wastes or dead bodies
of other organisms (eg: earthworms, some insects, vultures)
Various detritivores and decomposers (mostly fungi and
bacteria) can “feed on” or digest parts of a log and eventually
convert its complex organic chemicals intosimpler inorganic
nutrients that can be taken up by producers.
Food Chain & Trophic Levels
A food chain shows how each living thing gets food, and how
nutrients and energy are passed from creature to creature.
A food chain represents a succession of organisms that eat
another organism and are, in turn, eaten themselves.
The trophic level of an organism is the position it occupies in a
food chain. The word trophic derives from the Greek trophē
referring to food or feeding.
A food web is the natural interconnection of food chains
Food Web =Many food chains connected together
Food Web vs Food Chain

A food web consists of many food chains. A food chain only follows just one path as animals
find food. eg: A hawk eats a snake, which has eaten a frog, which has eaten a grasshopper,
which has eaten grass. A food web shows the many different paths plants and animals are
connected.
Generalized pyramid of energy flow showing the decrease in usable chemical energy available at each
succeeding trophic level in a food chain or web. This model assumes that with each transfer from one
trophic level to another there is a 90% loss in usable energy to the environment in the form of low-
quality heat

Is it more energy efficient to be a vegetarian than a meat-eater?

If so, why?

Eating meat places you higher up the food chain. ... If you eat animal foods, most of
theenergy in the plants those animals ate has been lost ... Eating plants is more efficient,
meaning thatless of the energy the plants contain is wasted. ... Food chains in nature
are more complicated thanthis model suggests, ...

Human dominated plant

The Anthropocene defines Earth's most recent geologic time period as being human-influenced, or
anthropogenic, based on overwhelming global evidence that atmospheric, geologic, hydrologic,
biospheric and other earth system processes are now altered by humans.

The word combines the root "anthropo", meaning "human" with the root "-cene", the standard suffix
for "epoch" in geologic time.

The Anthropocene is distinguished as a new period either after or within the Holocene, the current
epoch, which began approximately 10,000 years ago (about 8000 BC) with the end of the last glacial
period.

Rising of CO2. 350 Parts per million is the threshold of CO2, where humanity can operate safely

Human become the major force to change the earth system and its processes. Human become more
powerful than any other geological forces such as volcanic eruption.

Nature and human relationship

• Environment is the sum of all factors encompassing the physiochemical and biological factors
surrounding the human being.

• The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.

• The natural world, as a whole or in a particular geographical area, especially as affected by

human activity.
 Environment

Physical Biological Cultural

Environment Environment Environment

Air Plants Society

Water Animals Economy

Soil/Rocks Microbes Politics

Interactions among the basic components of the Environment

• Soil – Water

• Water – Air

• Soil – Air

• Water – Air –Soil

• Biotic components (flora & fauna) – Abiotic components (Soil, Water, Air)

• A decade ago, an international effort began to understand how the Earth functioned as a
system.

• This involved taking apart the earth’s components

• Oceans and rivers, terrestrial ecosystems, atmosphere, hydrological systems

…..and studying each one separately and how they connected to, and influenced, the other parts of the
earth system.

Anthropogenic (human) Impacts

• Burning of fossil fuels result in emissions of vast amounts of carbon dioxide and other earth-
warming gases that are changing the atmosphere and even the productivity of terrestrial
vegetation.
Fishing fleets have depleted the stock of many species, and the catches are collapsing

Anthropogenic (human) Impacts

• Irrigation and other alterations of surface and underground water are increasing the
vulnerability of hydrologic systems and the people that depend on these precious water
sources.

• Agricultural activities have resulted in massive deforestation and alteration of land cover at
huge scales—with the amount of land devoted to agriculture increasing five-fold over the past
three centuries.

• In short, human activities are so pervasive that they are capable of altering the earth system in
ways that could change the viability of the very processes upon which human and non-human
species depend.

• As recognition began to be given to the important role of human interactions with the earth
system, a vigorous set of research activities was undertaken using a combination of methods
from the biophysical and the social sciences to understand these interactions

• Pervasive= (especially of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely

throughout an area or a group of people.

• People and the natural environment are intimately integrated. Each affects the other. We
depend on nature in countless ways.

• We depend on the natural environment

• directly for many material resources, such as wood, water, and oxygen.

• indirectly through what are called public-service functions. For example…..

• soil is necessary for plants and

therefore necessary for us.

• the atmosphere provides a climate in which we can live;

• the ozone layer high in the atmosphere protects us from ultraviolet radiation;

trees absorb some air pollutants

Major Environmental Issues of Bangladesh

• Pollution
 • Natural Disasters

• Deforestation

• Unplanned urbanization

• Biodiversity loss

• Population pressure

• Climate Change impacts and implications

Air Pollution: spatial variation over Dhaka

• The term fine particles, or particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), refers to tiny particles or droplets in
the air that are two and one half microns or less in width

• 25000 microns = 1 inch

• Consists of sulphate and organic matter, black carbon (Soot).

• The 2014 Sundarbans oil spill was an oil spill that occurred on 9 December 2014 at the Shela
River in Sundarbans, Bangladesh.

• The spill occurred when an oil-tanker named Southern Star VII, carrying 350,000 litres of furnace
oil, was in collision with a cargo vessel and sank in the river.

• By December 17, the oil had spread over a 350 km2 (140 sq mi) area.

• The oil spread to a second river and a network of canals in Sundarbans, which blackened the
shoreline.

• The spill threatened trees, plankton, and vast populations of small fish and dolphins.

• The spill occurred at a protected mangrove area, home to rare Irrawaddy and Ganges
dolphins. By 12 January 2015, 70,000 litres (15,000 imp gal; 18,000 US gal) of oil had been
cleaned up by local residents, the Bangladesh Navy, and the government of Bangladesh.

• ARSENIC: heavy metal

 • Extensive arsenic contamination of groundwater has led to widespread arsenic
poisoning (arsenicosis) in Bangladesh

• It occurs naturally in the ground, but people were exposed after tubewells were dug all
throughout Bangladesh to transition from surface water to groundwater (as surface water was
the source of many biological contaminants, while groundwater was relatively safe from
biological contaminants)

• ARSENIC

• Arsenic poisoning is a medical condition that occurs due to elevated levels of arsenic in the
body.

• If exposure occurs over a short period of time symptoms may include vomiting, abdominal
pain, encephalopathy, and watery diarrhea that contains blood.

• Long-term exposure can result in thickening of the skin, darker skin, abdominal pain,
diarrhea, heart disease, numbness, and cancer

• SALINITY (in groundwater)

• causes: sea level rise, excess groundwater extraction causing sea water to enter the water
holding layer or aquifer, salt water shrimp farming, land subsidence, upstream withdrawal of

• Where -> low-lying coastal areas of Bangladesh

• Potential Health problems:

• Hypertension/high blood pressure

• Kidney damage

• Pre-eclampsia

• (disorder of pregnancy cause by high

blood pressure)

• SALINITY (in groundwater)

Exposure: a large percentage of coastal population is exposed to high salinity in groundwater through
tube-wells. Many are not aware of the salinity – as drinking it for many years may make them
“accustomed” to the

• Storm surges accompanying cyclones hitting Bangladesh have been noted to be 3m to 9m high.
• The 1970 cyclone (12-13 November) with a cyclonic surge of 6m to 10m and a wind speed of
222 km/h occurred during high tide causing an appalling natural disaster that claimed 0.5
million human lives. The cyclone of 29 April 1991 hit Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Barisal, Noakhali,
Patuakhali, Barguna and Khulna killing 140,000 people.

• The Earthquake Disaster Risk Index of Stanford University ranks Dhaka among the 20 cities most
vulnerable to earthquake in the world.

• Bangladesh, Myanmar and eastern India (all near top) are bisected by an extension of the
tectonic boundary that ruptured under the Indian Ocean in 2004, killing some 230,000 people.
Known quakes along the boundary’s southern end are shown in different colors; the black
sections nearer the top have not ruptured in historic times, but new research suggests they
could. (Michael Steckler/Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory)

• Drought a prolonged, continuous period of dry weather along with abnormal insufficient
rainfall. It occurs when evaporation and transpiration exceed the amount of precipitation for a
reasonable period. Drought causes the earth to parch and a considerable hydrologic (water)
imbalance resulting water shortages, wells to dry, depletion of groundwater and soil moisture,
stream flow reduction, crops to wither leading to crop failure and scarcity in fodder for livestock

• Deforestation

• 6-11 % forest in Bangladesh

• A country should have 25% forest

• 13,964,549 ha = land area of Bangladesh

• LOSS 2001-2015with >30% canopy density= 85,282 ha

• GAIN 2001-2012= 7,023 ha

• Gender dimension of disasters

• Gendered roles of women

• If one has to choose between male child or female child to save, the female
child is let go

• If females are more vulnerable in Bangladesh because of their roles as mothers,

have to watch over kids, constrained mobility

• The clothes – sarees, are more likely to get entangled while escaping disasters