INTRODUCTION

Biodiversity is defined as “the variability among living organisms from all

sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other
aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this
includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.
Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how
small, all have an important role to play. For example, A larger number of
plant species means a greater Biodiversity is the variability among living
organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other
aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this
includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems.
Biodiversity forms the foundation of the vast array of ecosystem services that
critically contribute to human well-being.
Biodiversity is important in human-managed as well as natural ecosystems.
Decisions humans make that influence biodiversity affect the well-being of
themselves and others
 Global biodiversity

Global biodiversity is the measure of biodiversity on planet Earth and is

defined as the total variability of life forms. More than 99 percent of all ,that
ever lived on Earth are estimated to be extinct. Estimates on the number of
Earth's current species range from 2 million to 7 million of which about 1.74
million have been databased thus far and over 80 percent have not yet been
described. More recently, in May 2016, scientists reported that 1 trillion
species are estimated to be on Earth currently with only one-thousandth of
one percent described. The total amount of DNA base pairs on Earth, as a
possible approximation of global biodiversity, is estimated at 5.0 x 1037, and
weighs 50 billion tones. In comparison, the total mass of the biosphere has
been estimated to be as much as 4 TtC (trillion tons of carbon).
In other related studies, around 1.9 million extant species are believed to have
been described currently, but some scientists believe 20% are synonyms,
reducing the total valid described species to 1.5 million. In 2013, a study
published in Science estimated there to be 5 ± 3 million extant species on
Earth. Another study, published in 2011 by PLoS Biology, estimated there to
be 8.7 million ± 1.3 million eukaryotic species on Earth.[12] Some 250,000
valid fossil species have been described, but this is believed to be a small
proportion of all species that have ever lived.
 BIODIVERSITY IN INDIA
 India is one of the world’s ‘mega diversity’ countries. It is ranked ninth in the world
in terms of higher plant species richness. At the ecosystem level, India is also well-
endowed, with ten distinct biogeographic zones.
 It also contains two of the world’s 25 biodiversity hotspots, because of their
extraordinarily high levels of species-richness and endemicity, and threatened
status.
 India is considered to be the centre of origin for the following crop species pigeon
pea, egg plant cucumber, possibly cotton and sesame. But for millennia, numerous
other crop species have been introduced to India and adapted to localised
conditions.
 As a consequence of both the diversity of these conditions and of the various ethnic
populations living in India, the country has become an important centre of diversity
of a great many domesticated species, including various cereals, millets, legumes,
vegetables, temperate and tropical fruits, fibre crops, medicinal and aromatic plants.
 India’s biodiversity is threatened by the destruction and degradation of ecosystems
and by over exploitation of species.
 .There are about 45,000 species of plants, which is about 7% of world's total. About
33% of these are endemic.
 . There are 15,000 flowering plants, which is 6% of world's total. Roughly, 1,500
plant species are endangered.
 . There are 91,000 animal species, representing about 6.5% of world's fauna. These
include 60,000 insect species, 2,456 fish species, 1,230 bird species, 372 mammals,
over 440 reptiles and 200 amphibians with largest concentration in Western Ghats
and 500 molluscs.
 . Livestock diversity is high. There are 400 breeds of sheep, 27 of cattle and 22 of
goats found in India.

 IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY
 Ecosystem services, such as
o Protection of water resources
o Soils formation and protection
o Nutrient storage and recycling
o Pollution breakdown and absorption
o Contribution to climate stability
o Maintenance of ecosystems
o Recovery from unpredictable events
 Biological resources, such as
o Food
o Medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs
o Wood products
o Ornamental plants
o Breeding stocks, population reservoirs
o Future resources
o Diversity in genes, species and ecosystems
 Social benefits, such as
o Research, education and monitoring
o Recreation and tourism

Biodiversity and its Conservation

Biodiversity refers to the variability of life on earth. It can be conserved in the
following ways:

 In-situ Conservation
 Ex-situ Conservation

In-situ Conservation
In-situ conservation of biodiversity is the conservation of species within their
natural habitat. In this method, the natural ecosystem is maintained and
protected.
The in-situ conservation has several advantages. Following are the important
advantages of in-situ conservation:

1. It is a cost-effective and convenient method of conserving biodiversity.

2. A large number of living organisms can be conserved simultaneously.
 3. Since the organisms are in a natural ecosystem, they can evolve better
and can easily adjust to different environmental conditions.

Certain protected areas where in-situ conservation takes place include

national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves.

National Parks
A national park is a large area of land which is protected by the government
because of its natural beauty, plants, or animals, and which the public can
usually visit.India covering an area of 40501.13 km2, which is 1.23% of the
geographical area of the country.

Wildlife Sanctuaries
Wildlife Sanctuaries is a natural habitat, owned by the government or private
agency, that safeguards particular species of birds and animals. In total, there
are 543 wildlife sanctuaries in India that cover the area of 118,918 km2

Biosphere Reserves
Biosphere reserves are multi-purpose protected areas where the wildlife,
traditional lifestyle of the inhabitants, and domesticated plants and animals
are protected. Tourist and research activities are permitted here.
The Indian government has established 18 Biosphere Reserves of India,

Ex-situ Conservation
Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity involves the breeding and maintenance of
endangered species in artificial ecosystems such as zoos, nurseries, botanical
gardens, gene banks, etc. There is less competition for food, water and space
among the organisms.
Ex-situ conservation has the following advantages:

1. The animals are provided with a longer time and breeding activity.
2. The species bred in captivity can be reintroduced in the wild.
3. Genetic techniques can be used for the preservation of endangered
species.
 Biodiversity Hotspots in India
Some of these biodiversity hotspots are present in India which includes:

1. The Western Ghats

These hills are present along the western edge of peninsular India. Since they
are situated near the ocean, they are likely to receive a good amount of
rainfall. Most of the deciduous, as well as rainforests, are present in this
region. Around 77% of the amphibians and 62% of the reptiles found here
cannot be spotted elsewhere in the world. Sri Lanka in South India is a
country which is rich in species too. It is connected to India through a land
bridge which has a width of nearly 140 km.

There are more than 6000 vascular plants here which belong to more than
2500 genus. 3000 plants out of these are endemic. Most of the spices found in
the world such as black pepper and cardamom all are believed to have
originated in the Western Ghats. Most of the species are however present in
the Agasthyamalai Hills situated in extreme South. The region is also home to
around 450 species of birds, 140 mammals, 260 reptiles and 175 amphibians.
Such diversity is quite beautiful as well as rare but now lies on the verge of
extinction. The vegetation in this region was originally spread over 190,000
square kilometers but has reduced to 43,000 square kilometers today. Only
1.5% of the original forest is still prevalent in Sri Lanka.
 2 . The Himalayas
This region comprises of Bhutan, Northeast India, and Southern, Central and
Eastern Nepal. These Himalayan Mountains are the highest in the world and
abode to some of the highest peaks of the world including Mount Everest and
K2. Some of the major rivers in the world originate from the Himalayas. The
Himalayas comprise of more than 100 mountains beyond 7200 meters.

There are almost 163 endangered species in this region including one-horned
rhinoceros, wild Asian water buffalo and as many as 45 mammals, 50 birds, 12
amphibians, 17 reptiles, 3 invertebrate and 36 plant species. One such
endangered species found here is the relict dragonfly whose only other species
is found in Japan. Himalayan Newt is also present in this region. Coming to
the fauna, there are 10,000 species of plants in the Himalayas a third of which
are endemic and cannot be located anywhere else in the world. Some of the
threatened ones include Cheer pheasant, Western Tragopan, Himalayan quail,
Himalayan vulture, White-bellied heron and the like. Mammals too can be
spotted here with over 300 species such as Asiatic wild dogs, sloth bears, snow
leopard, black bear, blue sheep and wild water buffalo. Namadapha flying
squirrel is, however, a mammal which is almost on the verge of extinction and
therefore needs immediate attention.

GREAT HIMALAYAN THAR

 3. Indo-Burma Region
This region consists of numerous countries including North-Eastern India (to
the south of the Brahmaputra River), Myanmar, and China's Yunnan
provinces southern part, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Vietnam,
Cambodia, and Thailand. It is spread over a distance of 2 million square
kilometres.

Although this region is quite rich in its biodiversity, it has been worsening
over the past few decades. Six species of mammals have been discovered in
this region recently including large-antlered muntjac, Annamite Muntjac,
gray-shanked douc, leaf deer, saola and Annamite striped rabbit. Other species
such as monkeys, langurs, and gibbons too can be found here with a
population as less as a hundred. Freshwater turtle species found in the region
are however endemic. 1300 species of birds too can be spotted here including
the white-eared night-heron, Gray-crowned crocias, and orange necked
Patridge most of which are endangered. Almost 13,500 plant species can be
spotted in the region half of which are endemic and cannot be found in any
other place in the world.
 4. Sunderland
This region lies in South-East Asia and includes Thailand, Singapore,
Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia. The Nicobar Islands represent India. These
islands were declared as the world biosphere reserve in 2013 by the United
Nations. These islands have a rich terrestrial as well as marine ecosystem
including mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. Species such as dolphins,
whales, turtles, crocodiles, fishes, prawns, lobsters and seashells comprise the
marine biodiversity. In case the marine resources are over-used, it can pose a
serious threat to biodiversity.

HOW CAN WE CONSERVE BIODIVERSITY

1. Government legislation
2. Nature preserves
3. Reducing invasive species
4. Habitat restoration
5. Captive breeding and seed banks
6. Research
7. Reduce climate change
8. Purchase sustainable products
9. Sustainable living
10. Education
11.Help the bees
12.Take a walk
13.Conserve your water use
14.Reduce,Reuse and Recycle
CAUSES OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS
1. Deforestation
2. Habitat loss and nature degradation
3. Overexploitation
4. Air pollution
5. Water pollution
6. Land pollution
7. Climate change
8. Invasive species
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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