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Environmental Science and

Engineering

LIVE & LET LIVE

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What is Environmental Science?

The study of how humans interact with


their environment
Our environment is everything that
surrounds us, both natural and man-made.

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Environment: the total of our
surroundings
• All the things around us with which
we interact:
• Living things
• Animals, plants, forests, fungi, etc.
• Nonliving things
• Oceans, clouds, soil, rocks
• Our built environment
• Buildings, human-created living centers

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Objectives of Environmental Education

Participation • working towards SD

Knowledge • To gain knowledge

• to develop an ethic of respect and


Values responsibility for the environment

• acquire skill to identify the environmental


Skills problems – work with others to resolve,
minimize and prevent them

• create awareness and promoting


Awareness environmental friendly life style
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Sustainable Development

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• Environmental Studies – Impact on the society and
involvement of the society in combating the causes of
environmental degradation.
• Environmental Science –Systematic study of biotic and abiotic
inter - relationship
• Environmental Engineering – causes and effects of pollutants
• Environmental Chemistry – study of various chemical
phenomena taking place in different segment of environment.
• Environmental and Ecology – interdisciplinary in nature and
biology, chemistry, geography, agri, etc.,

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FORMAL NON FORMAL
EDUCATION EDUCATION

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FORMAL EDUCATION

• Awareness programme through children and youth - they


create new idea

• Adopting Inter disciplinary approach - To achieve


sustainable development.

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NON FORMAL EDUCATION

• Organise extracurricular activities like


• eco development camp
• posters
• competition
• exhibition
• seminar
• club activities, mobile exhibition

• Other activities like tree plantation, fencing, cleaning


water bodies
• Education through arts, crafts, street plays,
Advertisement, etc., 9
• Considering the environment - In its total ability including nature,
artificial, ecological, etc.,
• Considering the people at various level and their involvement.
• Considering education with multi disciplinary approach
• Examine major environmental issues.
• Develop problem solving skills
• Promote active participation at various levels.
• Discover symptoms and root causes of environ. degradation.

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Environmental Education Organization

Government Non-Government
Organization Mass Media
Organization

Ministry of Env. SPCB


Depts. of Env. in Centre for Env. News paper
in the Central
Diff. States CPCB Edu. Ahmedabad
Govt. Magazine
Radio, TV,

Awareness through Env. Society of


India, Chandigarh
seminar/conf/Posters/short film/Advt.

Env. Edu. Through children/coll.students


Madras Env.
Society
Env. Info. System (EIS)

World Env. Day 5th June

Training Programmes and R&D 11


Living things
+
Nonliving things
= ECOSYSTEM
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• Ecosystem - living things in a given area, non-living chemical
and physical factors of their environment, linked together
through nutrient cycle and energy flow

Types of Ecosystem

Natural Artificial / Man-made

Terrestrial Aquatic
(Forest, Grass
land, Desert) Marine Fresh water

Lotic -river, stream or spring Lentic - lake, pond or swamp

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14
Name the three members in
every community.

Producers

Consumers

Decomposers

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All energy in a food
web comes from
the…

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What makes ecosystems different?

1 Amount of water

2
Amount of sunlight

Type of soil
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What causes ecosystems to change?

Natural causes:
1

Drought
2
Disease
3
Fire
4

Overpopulation
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What causes ecosystems to change?

Changes caused by humans:


1
Water pollution
2
Air pollution
3
Land pollution
4

Construction
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Easter Island

Moai,
How can humans help to prevent
changes in ecosystems?
1
Use resources wisely
2

Laws that control pollution


3

Clean up litter
4

Keep rivers and lakes clean 21


• Ernst Haeckel Greek oikos meaning "house" or
"dwelling", and logos meaning "science" or
"study".
• It is the study of the relation of living organisms to
each other and their surroundings.
• It connects the biotic and the abiotic components
of an ecosystem.
• Ecology may be divided into two classes
• Autoecology – study of a single organism
• Synecology – study of groups of organisms
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Structure of an Ecosystem
• An ecosystem consists of both biotic and
abiotic components
• Biotic: The living things that shape an
ecosystem. They include plants, animals, other
organisms, etc.
• Abiotic: These are the non living variables
within the ecosystem, affecting the life of the
organisms. They include light, temperature,
water, pH, etc.
Biotic Components of an
Ecosystem
The biotic components of an ecosystem
can be classified according to their
mode of energy acquisition.

Autotrophic Heterotrophic
(Self nourishing organisms) (dependent on others for food)

Eg. Green plants, algae etc. Herbivores , omnivores (or)


carnivores.
Trophic levels
• Trophic levels are the
feeding position in a
food chain. In a
normal food chain,
there are
• PRODUCERS
• CONSUMERS
• DECOMPOSERS
Trophic levels…
(a) PRODUCERS – These are green plants. They
convert solar energy into chemical energy. They are
also called autotrophs.
• There are two categories of autotrophs (distinguished
by the energy used to synthesize the food)

• Photoautotrophs Chemoautotroph

Photo = Light, Auto = Self, Troph = Feed


Chemo = Chemical, Auto = Self, Troph = Feed
(b) CONSUMERS Organisms which cannot prepare
their own food and dependent directly or indirectly
on the producers. Also called HETEROTROPHS.

Types of Consumers

• PRIMARY CONSUMERS – Also known as


herbivores. They feed on the producers and
use their own metabolic process to achieve
their own growth. (PLANT EATERS)
• Eg: Rabbit, Goat, ……..
• SECONDARY CONSUMERS (primary carnivores)
– Organisms that feed on the primary
consumers. (MEAT EATERS)
• Eg: Frog, cat, snakes….

• TERTIARY CONSUMERS (secondary carnivores)


– Organisms that feed on the Secondary
consumers. (MEAT EATERS)
• Eg: Lion, Tiger…….
Classes of Consumers

Herbivore – Eats PLANT

Carnivores – Eats MEAT

Omnivores – Eats PLANTS/ANIMALS


(c) Decomposers
These utilize energy from wastes or dead
organisms and so complete the cycle by
returning nutrients to the soil or water and
CO2 to the air.

Eg: Bacteria, fungi etc.


Photosynthesis
Jan Baptista van Helmont WATER

• Joseph Priestley (1771) AIR


Photosynthesis
Jan Ingenhousz (1779) LIGHT and OXYGEN

Jean Senebier (1796) CARBON DIOXIDE


German Scientist - Julius Robert Mayer (1845)
He concluded that plants convert light energy to
chemical energy.
Abiotic components of an
Ecosystem

Physical Chemical
components components
Physical components
Light
• Light energy (sunlight) is the primary source of energy in
nearly all ecosystems.

• It is the energy that is used by green plants (which


contain chlorophyll) during the process of
photosynthesis.

• Factors such as quality of light, intensity of light and the


length of the light period (day length) play an important
part in an ecosystem.
Physical components

Temperature
• The distribution of plants and animals is
greatly influenced by extremes in
temperature.
• Germination of seeds, blosssoming of flowers,
dormancy periods of certain trees all depend
on temperature.
• Hibernation, seasonal migrations of animals
and birds also depend on temperature.
Water
• Water is essential for life and all organisms
depend on it to survive.

• Plant and animal habitats vary from entirely


aquatic environments to very dry deserts.

• The water cycle plays an important role in


maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.
Soil
• These factors include soil texture, soil air, soil
temperature, soil water, soil solution and pH.
• The nutrients present in the soil play an
important role in the life of plants and
animals.
• Macro nutrients like C, H, N, S, P, Ca and micro
nutrients like Fe, Mn, Mg, Zn, etc are used in
many of the biological processes of plants and
animals.
Chemical Components

 O2 pulse of environment
 CO2

Inorganic substances, e.g., N, P, C, O tend to cycle


through ecosystems ----
Macromolecules
Fe, Mg, Mn, Al, Zn ---- Micromolecules

Organic compounds, such as proteins, carbohydrates,


lipids, and other complex molecules - form a link
between biotic and abiotic components of the system.
Stability of an Ecosystem
• The stability of an ecosystem is its capacity to
return to its equilibrium state after being
disturbed.
• The speed with which an ecosystem returns to
its original state is called Resistance.
• Those which persist within a narrow range are
called dynamically fragile.
• Those which tolerate a wide range of env.
conditions are called dynamically robust.
So what is a food chain?
• Matter and energy move through an
ecosystem and a food chain is a simple
representation of the movement of food and
energy through the different trophic levels.
Types of Food Chains
• Grazing Food Chain - The primary producers
are the living green plants which are grazed on
by grazing animals.
Eg. Grass → Rabbit → Fox → Wolf → Tiger
• Detritus Food Chain - This type of food chain
starts from dead organic matter.
The dead organic matter is broken down
into simple nutrients by microorganisms like
fungi and bacteria.
Eg. Dead organic matter → Detritivores →
Predators
Detrivores
Food Chains…
• The total amount
of energy being
passed from one
link to another
always decreases
with each step
along the chain.
Food Webs
• Most food chains have no more than four or
five links.

• Most animals are part of more than one food


chain and eat more than one kind of food in
order to meet their food and energy
requirements. These interconnected food
chains form a Food Web.
Food Web
Significance of
Food Chains and Food webs
• They help in maintaining the ecological balance.

• They help in understanding the feeding relations


among organisms.

• Energy flow and nutrient cycling take place through


them.

• The study of food chain helps us to understand the


problems of bio-magnifications.
Biomagnification
• "Biomagnification is the sequence of processes in an
ecosystem by which higher concentrations of toxins, such as
the DDT, mercury are reached in organisms higher up the food
chain, generally through a series of prey-predator
relationships
ENERGY FLOW IN ECOSYSTEM

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ENERGY FLOW IN ECOSYSTEM
• All organisms must obtain a supply of energy and nutrients from
their environment in order to survive.
• The transformations of energy in an ecosystem begin first with the
input of energy from the sun.
• Because, it is the first step in the production of energy for living
things, it is called “Primary production”.
• Photosynthesis -- Chemical reaction where green plants use water &
carbon dioxide to store the sun’s energy in glucose.
• ENERGY is stored in glucose. Glucose is stored as starch in plants
• The energy contained within producers and consumers is ultimately
passed to the decomposers that are responsible for the constant
recycling of nutrients.

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The laws of physics and chemistry apply to
ecosystems
• The law of conservation of energy applies to
ecosystems.
– We can potentially trace all the energy from its
solar input to its release as heat by organisms.
• The second law of thermodynamics allows us to
measure the efficiency of the energy
conversions.
ENERGY FLOW IN ECOSYSTEM
• Thus, there is a one-way flow of energy through the biotic
community and a cycling of nutrients between the biotic and
abiotic components of the ecosystem
• Energy flow cannot occur in reverse direction.
• The amount of energy decreases with successive trophic
levels.
• Only About 1% of energy from the sun is used by green plants
& rest remains unutilized.
• Similarly, there is loss of energy in each trophic level.
• The transfer of food energy between the organisms in an
ecosystem can be tracked by constructing food chains, food
webs, pyramids of numbers, biomass, etc.,

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NUTRIENT CYCLES

• Nutrient cycles involve storage and transfer of


nutrients through different components of the
ecosystem, so that the nutrients are
repeatedly used.
• The cyclic movements of chemical elements of
the biosphere between the organisms and
environment are referred as
“BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES”

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CYCLE OF NUTRIENTS

PLANTS

NUTRIENTS ANIMALS

MICRO-
ORGANISMS

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Energy and Nutrient Flow
Biogeochemical cycles

• The different biogeochemical cycles

– Hydrological cycle (water)


– Carbon cycle
– Nitrogen cycle
– Phosphorous cycle
– Sulphur cycle
HYDROLOGIC CYCLE
• In this cycle, fresh water evaporates and condenses
on the earth. Oceans are the main source of
evaporated water, which leaves behind salts. Water
also evaporates from fresh water bodies, from land
and plants.

The steps involved in hydrologic cycles


evaporation
condensation
infiltration
runoff
precipitation
CARBON CYCLE
• Carbon enters plants as CO2

• Photosynthesis removes carbon from the abiotic environment


(fixes carbon into organic molecules)

• Carbon moves through food chain through consumption of


one organisms by another

• Cellular respiration, combustion, and erosion of limestone


return carbon to the atmosphere, water and abiotic
environment.
RESPIRATION

AIR CO2 PLANTS

DEATH FOOD WOOD FOSSIL FUEL

RESPIRATION ANIMAL

BURNING

COMBUSTION

Carbon Cycle
The source of atmospheric carbon dioxide is variable but only plants can utilize
atmospheric carbon directly
NITROGEN CYCLE
• Nitrogen is crucial for all organisms
– Nucleic acids
– Proteins
– Chlorophyll
• Nitrogen- 78% in Atmosphere
• N2 is very stable and must be broken apart by
organisms, combined with other atoms into a
usable form.
Nitrogen cycle completes in 5 steps:

1. Nitrogen Fixation
2. Nitrification
3. Eutrophication
4. Ammonification
5. Denitrification
1) Nitrogen Fixation (process of direct incorporation of atm.N2 into organic
body of the fixing organism). Nitrogen Fixation can be carried out by
symbiotic N fixer and non-symbiotic N fixer and other natural as well as
industrial process.

– Conversion of N2 → NH3

• Symbiotic bacteria, associated with roots of legumes and flowering plants.


eg. Rhizobium which convert N into the organic nitrogen for their own cells.
when these organisms die or leave wastes certain other bacteria and fungi
return the N to the soils and atm.

• Non-symbiotic N fixers are both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria as well as


cyano bacteria. These occur in soil, marine and fresh water.

• Lightening storms convert atm. N into nitrates and reaches the soil through
rain water. They can also be converted to ammonia by denitrifying
bacteria.
2) Nitrification
• Conversion of NH3 → NO3
• Nitrosomonas convert ammonia to nitrite. Nitrobacter converts nitrite to
nitrate. This nitrate is taken up by higher plants and convert it into
protein and nucleic acids.
3) Eutrophication
• Discharge of excess quantity of nitrogeneous compounds into rivers and
lakes can result excessive growth of algae and macrophytic plants.
4) Ammonification
• Amino acids and nucleotides are broken down into NH3 or NH4

5) Denitrification
• The reduction of NO3 to N2 .
• Denitrifying bacteria Pseudomonas release gaseous nitrogen back in to
the atmosphere
Wet & dry
Atmospheric Nitrogen deposition
Nitrogen fixation by free
living & symbiotic Denitrification
microbes Pseudomonas

Consumers Plants

Detritus Litter fall

Uptake
Ammonification

Nitrification
Nitrosomonas Soil nitrite Nitrobacter Soil nitrate
Soil ammonia

Nitrogen Cycle
PHOSPHOROUS CYCLE
• The only cycle that does not have a gaseous state
• Inorganic phosphate PO43- is released from rocks and sediments
through the action of erosion.
• Soil PO43- is absorbed by plants and incorporated into nucleic acids,
phospholipids and ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
• Animals obtain most of their PO43- by consumption of other animals
and from water.
• PO43- is released to the soil again by decomposers.
• Dissolved PO43- gets absorbed by algae and aquatic plants
• Decomposers break down waste and returns PO43- to sediments on
the seabed.
Parental Rock

Bacteria
Soluble PO43- in soil Insoluble phosphate
(orthophosphates)

Plants (Roots)

Animals Death

Bacterial
Bone/ Teeth
Decomposition

Decomposition

Phosphorus Cycle
Oxygen Cycle
 Oxygen is the most important element in our life.
 About 21% of Oxygen is present in the atm. As free O2.
 Plants and animals can take the free O2 from the
atmosphere through a process called respiration, and it
release CO2 and water into the atmosphere
Sulfur Cycle
• The sulfur cycle describes the movement of sulfur
through the geosphere and biosphere.
• Sulfur is released from rocks through weathering, and
then assimilated by microbes and plants.
• Mostly found under ground like phosphorus
• H2S is released by decomposers and during volcanic
eruptions; some H2S in soil is converted into sulfur by
aerobic bacteria and plants assimilate this.
• 99% of all sulfur in the atmosphere is due to man
• SO2 gas is released by industries; SO2 then reacts with
water to form H2SO4 which falls to the earth as acid
rain.
Ecological Pyramids
• An ecological pyramid is a graphical
representation designed to show the
number of organisms, energy
relationships, and biomass of an
ecosystem.
• Producers form the base of the pyramid
with succeeding trophic levels above.
• There are three types: of Numbers, of
Biomass and of Energy.
Pyramid of Numbers
• It is the simplest of the ecological pyramids.
• It is produced by a simple count of the
organisms in each trophic level of the
ecosystem.
• The number of organisms at each trophic level
decreases from the producer level to the
consumer level. i.e., Carnivores < Herbivores <
Producers.
• It can be upright or inverted.
Pyramid of Numbers UPRIGHT
Pyramid of Numbers INVERTED
• Tree Ecosystem
– A single tree harbors many fruit eating birds
(Primary consumer) and these birds in their turn,
host numerous parasites (secondary consumer)
Pyramid of Biomass
• The total amount of living or organic matter in
an ecosystem at any time is called 'Biomass'.
• It represents the total dry weight of all
organisms in an ecosystem at any given time.
Pyramid of Biomass
Pyramid of Energy
• The pyramid of energy represents the total
amount of energy consumed by each trophic
level.
• An energy pyramid is always upright.
• This happens because during energy transfer
from lower to higher levels, some energy is
always lost.
Pyramid of Energy

10% law
Raymond Lindeman

The remaining is lost during transfer, broken down in respiration, or


lost to incomplete digestion by higher trophic levels.
ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION
Ecological Succession
• Ecological succession is the gradual
process by which ecosystems change and
develop over time.
• It includes a series of changes that a
biotic community undergoes in its
maturation towards a stable condition.
• Some species may disappear altogether,
some may become more abundant, even
new species may be formed.
Important terms to know…
• Habitat: A place where organisms live.
Eg. Pond
• Population: Group of individuals of the same
species in a particular location.
• Community: All of the populations of species
in a given area.
• Ecosystem: The community, together with the
physical and chemical environment of a
particular area.
Types – based on the HABITAT
• Primary Succession – Begins in areas where
no soil is initially present. The area has not
been changed physically by organisms.
Eg. Colonization of newly exposed island.
• Secondary Succession – Begins in areas where
soil is already present. The area is previously
colonized and the soil is organically enriched.
Eg. Abandoned crop lands.
Secondary Succession
Types – based on the ORGANISM
• Autotrophic succession – Characterized by
dominance of autotrophic organisms like
green plants.

• Heterotrophic succession – Characterized by


dominance of heterotrophic organisms like
bacteria and animals.
Ecological Succession
• Nudation
• Migration
• Colonization
• Ecesis
• Aggregation
• Competition
• Stabilization
The different stages…
Primary Autotrophic Succession

• Nudation – The formation of a bare area.


• Migration – Movement of organisms into a bare
area.
• Colonization – Occupation of bare area by first or
pioneer community.
• Ecesis – Establishment of the pioneer community.
They react with the medium and establish
themselves.
The different stages…
• Aggregation – The final stage of invasion by
pioneer group. The species reproduce and
aggregate into large population in the new
area.
• Competition – Various species compete
among themselves for space, light and
nutrients. Communities which cannot
withstand competition are replaced by other
communities.
The different stages…
• Stabilization – This is the final stage in the
process of ecological succession. The climax
community becomes stabilized for a longer
period of time and it can maintain itself in
equilibrium. If undisturbed, the climax
community can maintain itself for a long time.
Lichens/mosses on bare rock
Colonization of rock
Small plants growing…
Shrubs beginning to form
Trees – the climax community
Terminologies
• Pioneer Community – The first species to
colonize an area.
• Climax Community – The final, stable
community in a newly developed ecosystem.
This community is not replaced.
• Sere – The progression from a pioneer to a
climax community is called a Sere.
FOREST ECOSYSTEM
FOREST ECOSYSTEM (TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEM)
 A forest is an area with a high density of trees.
 Forests are one of the most important natural
resources on this earth.
 World’s total land area - 148.94 million sq km.
 Of which total forests account for about 31% of the
world’s land area.
 In India, the forest cover is around 21% of the total
land area.
 The forest ecosystems are of great concern from the
environmental point of view.
– Covering the earth like a green blanket these forests not only produce
innumerable material goods, but also provide several environmental
services which are essential for life.

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USES OF FORESTS
Commercial uses Ecological uses

• Timber • Production of oxygen


• Firewood • Reducing global warming
• Pulpwood • Wild life habitat
• Food items • Regulation of hydrological cycle
• Gum • Soil Conservation
• Resins • Pollution moderators
• Non-edible oils
• Rubber
• Fibers
• Lac
• Bamboo canes
• Medicine, drugs and many
more items
FOREST ECOSYSTEM
(TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEM)

 It provides numerous environmental services like;


• Nutrient cycling,
• Maintaining biodiversity
• Providing wildlife habitat
• Regulating stream flow
• Storing water
• Reducing flooding
• Preventing soil erosion
• Reclaiming degraded land & many more….
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Types of Forests
A forest can be divided into three types.
• CONIFEROUS – thin needle shaped leaves of evergreen trees.
E.g. Pine, spruce, fir, etc

• DECIDUOUS – Broad leaves which the trees shed during


autumn and winter. E.g. Birch, oak, etc Oak

Birch
• RAINFOREST – Evergreen broad leaves. E.g. bamboos, durian,
mangroves, etc.

Bamboo Durian Mangroves


Tropical Rainforest
• The tropical rainforest ecosystem is also called a
tropical wet forest or a tropical moist broadleaf
forest.
• They are found near the equator.
• It has heavy rainfall and remains warm
throughout the year.
• It is home to a wide variety of species and many
of the plants have medicinal value.
• The forest canopy is very thick and so there is
less ground vegetation.
Tropical Rainforest Forest canopy
Tropical Rainforests of the World
Temperate Forests
• They are of several types – deciduous,
evergreen and rainforest.
• These forests have warm summers and cold
winters.
• They grow between the tropics and the polar
regions.
• They are home to many plants and animals.
Temperate Deciduous

Evergreen

Temperate Rainforest
Temperate Rainforest
Temperate Deciduous forest
Alpine Forests
• These forests are found in mountain
regions at an altitude of 10,000 feet
or more.
• Summers are cold and winters are
freezing.
• Most plants are found close to the ground
where there is more warmth. Grasses,
dwarf trees, shrubs are found here.
• Animals like Goats, Llamas, etc are the
Llamas
typical creatures found here.
Alpine Forests of the world
Alpine forest in summer Alpine forest in winter
Major Causes of Deforestation
1. Shifting cultivation
2. Fuel requirements
3. Raw materials for industrial use
4. Development projects
5. Growing food needs
6. Overgrazing
Major Activities in Forests
• Timber Extraction
• Mining
DAMS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON FORESTS AND PEOPLE
• Big dams and river valley projects have multi-purpose uses
and have been referred to as “Temples of modern India”.
• However, these dams are also responsible for the destruction
of vast areas of forests.
• India has more than 1550 large dams
• Maharashtra (more then 600)
• Gujarat (more then 250)
• Madhya Pradesh (130).
• The highest one is TEHRI DAM, on river Bhagirathi in
Uttaranchal and the largest in terms of capacity is
BHAKRA DAM on river Satluj in Himachal Pradesh.
Structure and Function of
FOREST ECOSYSTEM
Biotic components
I. Producer Organisms
In a forest, the producers are mainly trees.
Trees are of different kinds depending upon the type of
forest developed in that climate.
Apart from trees, climbers, epiphytes, shrubs and ground
vegetation.
Dominant species of trees in major types of forest
ecosystems are:
Tectona grandis (Teak), Acer, Betula (Birch), Picea, Pine,
Cedrus.

118
Structure and Function of
FOREST ECOSYSTEM
Biotic components - Consumers
In a forest, consumers are of three main types
a) Primary Consumers
• These are Herbivores which feed directly on producers.
Eg: Ants, Beetles, Bugs, spiders etc. feeding on tree leaves.
• Larger animals such as Elephants, Deer, giraffe etc. grazing on shoots and/or
fruits of trees.
b) Secondary Consumers
These are carnivores and feed on primary consumers.
• Eg: Birds, Lizards, Frogs, Snakes and Foxes.
c) Tertiary Consumers
These are secondary carnivores and feed on secondary consumers
These include top carnivores like Lion, Tiger.
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Biotic components – Decomposers

These include wide variety of saprotrophic micro-


organism like;

 Bacteria
 Fungi
 Actinomycetes (Streptomyces).

They attract the dead or decayed bodies of organisms & thus


decomposition takes place.
Therefore, nutrients are released for reuse.

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121
Grassland ecosystem
Grasslands (Prairie) Ecosystem
• They are rolling terrains of grasses, flowers and
herbs.
• The rainfall is enough to support only grasses and a
few shrubs and trees.
• They have hot summers and cold winters.
• Some common birds and animals found are coyotes,
turkeys, eagles, bison, geese, prairie chicken, etc.

Coyote Bison Prairie Chicken


Grasslands of the World
African Savannah - Grassland
Structure and functions of
Grassland Ecosystems
I. Biotic components
• Producer Organisms
• In grassland, producers are mainly grasses; though, a few
herbs & shrubs also contribute to primary production of
biomass.
• Some of the most common species of grasses are:
– Brachiaria sp., Cynodon sp., Desmodium sp.,

126
Structure and functions of Grassland Ecosystems

I. Biotic components - Consumers

a) Primary Consumers
• The primary consumers are herbivores feeding directly on
grasses. These are grazing animals such as
• Cows, Buffaloes, Sheep, Goats, Deer, Rabbits etc.
• Besides them, numerous species of insects, termites, etc are also
present.
b) Secondary Consumers
• These are carnivores that feed on primary consumers
(Herbivores)
• These include;-Frogs, Snakes, Lizards, Birds, Foxes, Jackals etc.
c) Tertiary Consumers
• These include hawks etc. which feed on secondary consumers.127
Structure and functions of
Grassland Ecosystems
I. Biotic components – Decomposers

 These include wide variety of saprotrophic


micro- organism like: Bacteria; Fungi;
Actinomycetes
 They attract the dead or decayed bodies of
organisms and thus decomposition takes
place.
 Therefore, nutrients are released for reuse
by producers.
128
129
Structure and functions of
Grassland Ecosystems
II. Abiotic components
 These include basic inorganic & organic
compounds present in the soil & aerial
environment.

 The essential elements like C, H, N, O, P, S etc. are


supplied by water, nitrogen, nitrates, sulphates,
phosphates present in soil & atmosphere.

130
Tundra
• It is very cold and is close to the Arctic.
• The ground is permanently frozen.
In summer, there are marshes, lakes which has
insects and migratory birds.
• PLANTS are usually mosses, lichens, grasses
and other small shrubs.
• Hares, rodents, wolves, foxes, bears and deer
are typical animals.
• It acts as a carbon sink.
Tundra
Biome where the tree growth is hindered by low
temperatures and short growing seasons.
The Tundra
DESERT ECOSYSTEM
• A desert is a landscape or region that receives almost
no precipitation.
• Deserts are defined as areas with an average annual precipitation of
less than 250 millimetres per year.
• It occupies about 17% of The Earth’s Surface.
• Deserts are characterized by hot days & cold nights.
• The deserts of the world are mainly located in the South- western
United States, Mexico, North America, Asia (Thar, Gobi, Tibet) &
west Asia.
• Deserts are characterized by scanty flora & fauna.
• Soils of deserts often have abundant nutrients but little or no
organic matter.

135
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM
• An aquatic ecosystem is an ecosystem that is located
in a body of water.
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM

Freshwater Marine

The freshwater ecosystem covers about 0.80% of


the earth’s surface.
The marine ecosystem covers about 71% of the
earth’s surface.
• Freshwater • Marine
– Ponds & Lakes – Oceans
– Streams & Rivers – Coral Reefs
– Wetlands – Estuaries

Lentic – Standing water e.g. Ponds and Lakes.


Lotic – Free flowing or running water e.g. Rivers and Streams.
Wetlands – Land which is saturated with water almost throughout the
year. e.g. Swamps and Marshes.
Freshwater Ecosystem
• Freshwater is defined as having a low salt
concentration—usually less than 1%.
• Plants and animals in freshwater regions
are adjusted to the low salt content and
would not be able to survive in areas of
high salt concentration (i.e, ocean)
Freshwater

Lentic Lotic
(standing) (free flowing)
Freshwater Ecosystem - Lake

Lake ecosystem - Creatures


Freshwater Ecosystem - River

River Ecosystem - Creatures


Pond Ecosystem
• Ponds are shallow water bodies with a depth
of 12-15 feet in which the sun rays
can penetrate to the bottom permitting the
growth of plants there.
• Water has low salt content and is stagnant.
• It can get polluted easily.
Biotic Components of a Pond
• Producers – Phytoplankton and macrophytes.
• Primary Consumers – Zooplankton, insects,
crustaceans, etc.
• Secondary Consumers – Small fishes, beetles,
etc.
• Tertiary Consumers – Big fishes, snakes, birds,
etc.
• Decomposers – Bacteria, fungi, saprophytes, etc.
Abiotic Components of a Pond
• The basic components are water, oxygen,
carbon dioxide, nitrogen and calcium.
• Low temperature and less intensity of
light.
• Most of the organic and inorganic matter
are found in the bottom sediments.
Eutrophication
• It is the addition of substances e.g. nitrates or
phosphates to a fresh water system.
• N and P induce excessive plant growth leading to
decrease in oxygen content. Thus aquatic life suffer.
• Eutrophication is also known as algal bloom.
Lake Ecosystem
• Lakes are much larger and deeper water
bodies than ponds.
• Light does not penetrate to the bottom.
• Lakes are usually divided into four zones –
Littoral, Limnetic, Profundal and Benthic.
• LITTORAL – The topmost zone
near the shore of the lake.
– It is the warmest part since it is
shallow and photosynthesis
occurs actively because of the
presence of rooted plants
• LIMNETIC – It is the open
water area and there is
effective penetration of light.
– It contains plankton (both
zooplankton and phytoplankton)
and freshwater fish.
Zones of a Lake
• PROFUNDAL – The deep
water part of the lake.
– It is colder and more dense
than the other two zones.
– Little light penetrates through
the water.
– Vegetation is absent.

• BENTHIC – The bottom part


of the lake bed.
– It is completely dark.
Components of a Lake
• The biotic and the abiotic components of a
lake are similar to that of a pond ecosystem.
River Ecosystem
• It is a body of flowing water moving in one
direction.

• They have a starting place which can be a


mountain lake, a spring, etc. They end up in
the ocean or another water channel.

• The characteristics of a river changes during its


journey from the source to the mouth.
Abiotic and Biotic Components of a River

• The abiotic includes water flow, light, temperature, inorganic


substrates, etc.
• The biotic components are
• Producer – Small aquatic plants like phytoplankton, hydrilla,
algae, etc.
• Primary Consumers – Insects, snails, crustaceans, clams, etc.
• Secondary consumers – Fishes, eels, etc.
• Tertiary consumers – Big fishes, reptiles, amphibians, etc.
• Decomposers – Bacteria and fungi decomposes the dead
plants and animals.
River Ecosystem Food Web
Wetlands
• Wetlands are permanently wet areas and
support a wide range of plant and animal life.
• Plant life found here include grasses,
mangrove, water lilies, cypress, gum, etc.
• Animal life include amphibians, reptiles, birds,
insects, etc.
Freshwater Ecosystems
I. Biotic components
1) Producer Organisms
• It includes submerged, free floating and macrophytes (like; Hydrilla,
Wolfia, Azolla, Typha etc.) and minute floating and suspended lower
phytoplanktons (like; Ulothrix, Spirogyra, Oedogonium etc.)
2) Consumer Organisms
• a) Primary consumers: These are zooplanktons (ciliates, flagellates,
other protozoan, small crustaceans) and benthos.
• b) Secondary consumers: These are carnivores like insects and fishes
feeding on herbivores
• c) Tertiary consumers: These are the large fishes feeding on small
fishes.
3) Decomposers Micro – organisms like bacteria, fungi and
actinomyctes.
155
Freshwater Ecosystems
II. Abiotic component

• These are the inorganic as well as organic


substances present in the bottom soil or
dissolved in water.

• In addition, to the minerals, some dead


organic matter is also present.

156
Marine Ecosystem
• It is one of the largest ecosystems on earth.
• Circulation of water occurs due to wind, tides
and gravitational effects
• Dissolved compounds like salt are present in
sea water.
• It is rich in biodiversity.
Marine Ecosystem

Marine Creatures
Marine Food Chain
Zones of the Marine Ecosystem

• Oceanic • Coral Reefs


• Littoral • Pelagic
• Intertidal • Hydrothermal Vents
• Estuaries • Salt Marshes
The different Zones…
• Oceanic – It is the shallow part of the ocean.
• Littoral – That part of the ocean which is close
to the shore.
• ESTUARIES – A coastal body of water with one or more rivers
or streams flowing into it. It is connected to the sea. i.e. An
estuary is a "partly enclosed body of water" in which river
water (fresh water) mixes with ocean water (salt water)
• It is transition zone between the fresh and the marine
environment.
• The organisms present in estuaries show a wide range of
tolerance to temperature and salinity AND are known as
eurythermal and euryhaline
• CORAL REEFS – Underwater
structures made of CaCO3
secreted by tiny animals called
CORALS. They are found at
shallow areas in tropical waters.

• PELAGIC – the open sea area


is called the pelagic zone. It is
away from the coastal areas
but does not include the
bottom of the ocean.
Hydrothermal vent is a fissure in the sea bed from
which heated water arises.

They are also called Black smokers or white smokers.


• Benthic – This zone is situated at the bottom
most part of the ocean including the sea bed.
• Organisms living in this zone are called benthos.
• Salt marshes – They are wetlands situated
along the coastal areas and are rich in marine
life.
• They are rich in grasses, herbs and shrubs.
Marine or Ocean Ecosystem
I. Biotic components
1) Producers It includes phytoplanktons (diatoms,
dinoflagillates), large seaweeds (mainly algae like
chlorophyceae, phaeophyceae & rhodophyceae; angiosperms
like Ruppia, Zostera, posidonia ), and mangrove vegetation
(like Rhizophora, Carapa etc.)
2) Consumers
• a) Primary consumers: These are herbivores and feed directly
on producers (Crustaceans, Mollusks, fish etc.)
• b) Secondary consumers: These are carnivorous fishes
(Herring, Mackerel)
• c) Tertiary consumers: These are top carnivorous fishes (Cod,
Haddock, etc.)
3) Decomposers These are micro – organisms like bacteria, fungi
168
Abiotic Components:

• High Na, Ca, Mg and K salt concentration,


variable dissolved oxygen content, light and
temperature make a unique physiochemical
conditions in marine water.
• BIO means LIFE
• DIVERSITY means VARIETY
–Hence, biodiversity refers
variety of life on the earth.
TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY
• GENETIC DIVERSITY
• SPECIES DIVERSITY
• ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY
Genetic diversity
Genetic diversity is the diversity within the species,
i.e. variations of genes within the species.

Eg.
1. Rice Varieties: All rice varieties belongs to the species
‘Oryzasativa’. But there are 1000 of rice varieties, which
show variation at the genetic level differ in their size,
shape, color and nutrient content
2. Teak Wood Varieties: There are no. of teak wood
varieties found available.
 Eg. Indian teak, Burma teak, Malaysian teak…
Species diversity
Species diversity is the diversity between different
species. The sum of varieties of all the living
organisms at the species level is known as species
diversity.

A species is a group of plants/animals that are


similar and able to breed and produce viable
offspring under natural conditions.
Eg.
1. Plant species: Apples, Mango, Grapes, etc.,
2. Animal Species: Horse, donkeys, Lions, Tigers
Ecosystem diversity
It is a set of biotic components interacting with
one another and with abiotic components.
Eg.
River ecosystem
The river which includes the fish, aquatic insects,
and variety of plants
Values of Biodiversity

 Consumptive Use Value


 Productive Use Value
 Social Value
 Ethical Value
 Aesthetic Values
 Optional Value
1. Consumptive Use Values
• These are all direct use values, where the biodiversity products
are harvested and consumed directly.

– Food - large no. of wild plants consumed by human 80-90%


» - large no. of wild animals consumed by human

– Drug - 70 % medicines are derived from plants/plant extract

» - 20000 plant species are believed to be used as medicine.

» India – 3000 species of plants used in Ayurveda, homeopathy


and Unani system of medicines.

» Germany – 2500 species of plants used in homeopathy and


other systems.
Consumptive Use Values
– Drug
• Life Saving Drugs
– Quinine – Malaria
– Reserpine – Hypertension
– Pencilin – Antibiotic
– Morphine – Pain killer
• About 30 medicines have been prepared from Neem Tree
which have been proved to be very effective for stomach
oilments, eye irritation, skin eruptions and diabetics.
– Fuels
Fire Woods
Fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and natural gas are also the
product of biodiversity.
2. Productive Use Values
– Animal Products
Fish - Fish and Animals
Silk - Silk Worm
Wool - Sheep
Tusk - Elephant
Leather - All Animals

– Plant Products
Wood - paper and pulp industry, plywood ind,
Cotton - Textile Industry
Fruits & Veg - Food industry
Rubber Rubber industry
– Rice, Oils, Vegetables,
3. Social Values
– Holy Animals

COW
SNAKE
PEACOCK
BULL

– Holy Plants

TULSI
PEEPAL
LOTUS
4. Ethical Values
Our rich heritage teaches us to worship plants, animals
rivers and mountains. The ethical values means that a
species may or may not be used, but its existence in
nature gives us pleasure.

 Ganga is a holy river


 Vembu, Tulsi, Vengai, etc are worshiped by people.
 We are not deriving anything directly from
Kangaroo, Zebra, or Giraffe, but we feel that these
should exist in nature.
5. Aesthetic Values
The beautiful nature of the plants and animals insists
us to protect the biodiversity. The most important
aesthetic value of biodiversity is ECO-TOURISM.

 The pleasant music of wild birds,


 Color of butterfly,
 color of flowers,
 color of peacocks
are very important aesthetic value.
6. Optional Values
The optional values are the potential of biodiversity
that are presently unknown and need to be known. It
suggests that any species may be proved to be a
valuable species after some day.

 The growing biotechnology field is searching a


species for curing the disease of Cancer and AIDS.
 Medicinal Plants and herbs increases the
economical growth.
Definition of Species
• EXTINCT
A species is said to be extinct, when it is not seen in the world
for 50 years at a stretch.
• ENDANGERED
A species is said to be endangered, when its number has been
reduced to a critical level or whose habitats have been
drastically reduced.
• ENDEMIC
A species is said to be endemic, which are found in a particular
region.
• VULNERABLE
An animal species that is likely to become endangered is called
Vulnerable. A vulnerable animal species is often at risk due to
loss of habitat or declining population.
Extinct species
Golden toad Dodo Zanzibar Leopard

West African black rhino


Found in:
Found in: Found in: Zanzibar archipelago of
The high-altitude ridges Mauritius Tanzania. East African
of Costa Rica, Central
Cause of extinction country
America country
Its forest habitat was lost Cause of extinction
Cause of extinction when Dutch settlers Locals believed the
Genetic erosion moved to the island and leopards were kept by
Habitat destruction the dodo's nests were witches, and
Human overpopulation destroyed by the aggressively hunted
monkeys, pigs, and cats them.
the Dutch brought with
them
Extinct species

Passenger pigeon Carolina Parakeet

Pinta Island Tortoise


Endangered species
Yellow-eyed penguin •Water Buffalo
Giant Panda
Giant bear
Panda Bear
Golden toad Zanzibar Leopard

Found in: Found in: West African


Found in: black rhino
Mountains of central and North of the Antarctic Asia, Australia, Africa,
western China. Ocean Europe and North America.

Bengal tiger Mongoose River Dolphin

Found in: Found in:


India, Bangladesh, Bhutan Found in: Tropical Southern
and Nepal Asia, Africa, Europe Hemisphere.
Factors affecting Endangered species

 Pollution
 Climate Change
 Over-Exploitation

Over-exploitation like hunting, fishing


etc., can affect the bio-diversity.
Endemic species

The species, which are found only in a


particular region are known as Endemic
species.

Endemic = 7000
47000

62% found in Himalayas and Western Ghats


Classification of Endemic species
FAUNA FLORA
Animals present in a particular Plants present in a
region or period particular region or period.
Out of 81000 species, a large Examples
no. of species are endemic • Toothbrush Orchid
• Nepenthes Khasiana
The western Ghats are
particularly rich in Amphibians
(Frogs, Toads, etc.) Nepenthes

Reptiles (Lizards, Crocodiles etc)

• About 62 % Amphibians &


Toothbrush Orchid
50% Lizards are endemic to
Western Ghats.
Factors affecting Endemic species

 Pollution
 Habitat loss and
 Fragmentation
Keystone Species
• A species whose presence and role within an
ecosystem has a disproportionate effect on
other organisms within the system.

• A keystone species is a plant or animal that plays a


unique and crucial role in the way an ecosystem
functions. Without keystone species, the ecosystem
would be dramatically different or cease to exist
altogether.
Keystone Species
• SEA STARS like this one
are an important keystone
species in tide pools.
• In fact, the concept of
"keystone species" was
developed by Dr. Robert
Paine, who studied sea
stars in their native
environment in Makah Bay,
Washington.
• Sea stars eat sea urchins,
mussels, and other shellfish
that have no other natural
predators.
Keystone Species
• PRAIRIE DOGS Prairie dogs
contribute to the soil and
water quality in their
plains ecosystem.
• Their foraging retains
water in the soil and
forces fresh new grasses
to continually grow.
• Young grasses have more
nutrients for species such
as bison and elk.
Keystone Species
• ELEPHANTS are
keystone species on
African grasslands,
known as SAVANNAS.
Without the presence
of elephants, grasslands
would probably develop
into forests.
• Elephants graze on
trees such as acacias,
above, preventing them
from growing to
maturity.
Keystone Species
• SEA OTTERS are one of
the most important
keystone species in the
kelp forest habitat.
• Kelp, a giant species of
seaweed, is home to SEA OTTERS
hundreds of species, from
sea stars to sharks.
• Sea urchins eat kelp. Sea
otters eat sea urchins,
preventing an
overpopulation of urchins
from destroying the
Sea urchins
ecosystem.
Keystone Species
• HUMMINGBIRDS are
keystone species in the
Sonoran Desert (North
American desert).
• Hummingbirds pollinate
many varieties of native
cactus and other plants.
• In areas of the Sonoran
Desert with few
hummingbirds, invasive
species such as buffelgrass
have taken over the
ecosystem.
Indicator species
River otters have been
used as indicators of
• An indicator species is an healthy, clean river
organism whose systems.

presence, absence or
abundance reflects a Coral bleaching is an
indication of rising
specific environmental ocean temperatures.
condition.
Lichens are sensitive
• Indicator species can to Heavy metals or
signal a change in the acids in precipitation
may be indicators of air
biological condition of a pollution
particular ecosystem, and
thus may be used as a Caddisfly larvae are
indicator species for
proxy to diagnose the assessing water
health of an ecosystem. quality.
RED data book (IUCN)
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Documents rare and endangered species of animals, plants
and fungi.
Some important eg. of endangered species
SPECIES EXAMPLES
Reptiles Green sea turtle, Indian Python, Gavial

Birds Peacock, Pelican, Indian bustard

Mammals Indian wolf, Red fox, Tiger, Indian Lion, Golden


cat, Desert cat

Plants Medicinal Plants and Sandal Wood Trees


RED data book
The red data book/red list symbolizes the warning signal for
those species which are endangered and if not protected, are
likely to become extinct in the near future.

OBJECTIVES OF RED LIST are


 Bringing awareness on the significance of threatened
biodiversity.
 Indentifying and documenting the endangered
species.
 Providing on the global index of the decline of
biodiversity.
 Defining the conservation priorities and guiding
action plans.
HOT SPOTS OF BIODIVERSITY
• “HOT SPOT”: Areas which exhibit high species
richness as well as high species endemism
• The term was introduced by MYERS (1988).
• There are 25 such hot spots of biodiversity on
a global level out of which TWO are present in
India, namely the Eastern Himalayas and
Western Ghats
India: a megadiversity nation
• The World Conservation Monitoring Centre of the UN Environment
Programme (UNEP-WCMC) has identified 17 MEGADIVERSE
COUNTRIES, i.e. those countries with the highest number
of endemic species – at least 5,000 endemic plants.
• THE WORLD’S TOP BIODIVERSITY-RICH CONTINENT are
– America (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Unites States, Mexico, Peru,
Venezuela)
– Asia (Philippines, INDIA, Indonesia, Malaysia, China)
– Africa (Madagascar, Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Republic of South Africa
– Oceania (Australia, Papua New Guinea)

– Europe has NO MEGADIVERSE COUNTRY.


India: a megadiversity nation
• The large species richness and abundance are due to
immense variety of climatic and altitudinal condition in
country.

• These vary from the humid tropical Western Ghats to the hot
desert of Rajasthan, from cold desert of Ladakh and the icy
mountain of Himalayas to the warm cost of peninsular India
and these includes ecosystem diversity is highest in the world.

• There are 10 Biogeography zones and 26 Biogeography


provinces, which are representatives of all the major
ecosystems of the world.
• The diverse physical features and climatic situations
have formed ecological habitats like forests,
grasslands, wetlands, coastal and marine ecosystems
and desert ecosystems, which harbor and sustain
immense biodiversity.
• Biogeographically, India is situated at the tri-junction
of three realms - Afro-tropical, Indo-Malayan and
Paleo-Arctic realms, and therefore, has characteristic
elements from each of them.
• This assemblage of three distinct realms makes the
country rich and unique in biological diversity.
The Biogeographic classification of India
Zones Provinces

1. Trans-Himalayas 2  10 Zones
2. The Himalayas 4  26 Provinces
3. Indian Desert 2
4. Semi -Arid Zone 2
5. The Western Ghats 2
6. The Deccan Peninsula 5 mahanangal
7. The Gangetic Plain 2
8. The coasts 3
9. North East 2
10. The islands 2
The Biogeographic classification of India
BIOGEOGRAPHIC
S.NO. BIOTIC PROVINCES
ZONES
1. Trans-Himalaya Ladakh mountains, Tibetan plateau
2. Himalaya Northwest, West, Central and East Himalayas
3. Desert Thar, Kutch
4. Semi-arid Punjab plains, Gujarat Rajputana
5. Western Ghats Malabar plains, Western Ghats
6. Deccan Peninsula Central highlands, Chotta-Nagpur, Eastern
highlands, Central Plateau, Deccan South
7. Gangetic plains Upper and Lower Gangetic plains
8. Coast West and East coast, Lakshadweep
9. North-East Brahmaputra valley, Northeast hills
10. Islands Andaman and Nicobar
1. THE TRANS-HIMALAYAN REGION
• The only vegetation is a sparse alpine steppe.
Extensive areas consist of bare rock and
glaciers.
• The faunal groups best represented here are
wild sheep and goats (chief ancestral stock),
ibex, snow leopard, marbled cat, marmots and
black-necked crane.

IBEX marmots
black-necked crane
2. THE HIMALAYAN REGION
• The entire mountain chain running from north-western to
northeastern India, comprising a diverse range of biotic
provinces and biomes, 7.2 % of the country’s landmass.
• Flora and fauna vary according to both altitude and
climatic conditions: tropical rainforests in the Eastern
Himalayas and dense subtropical and alpine forests in the
Central and Western Himalayas.
• The lower levels of the mountain range support many
types of orchids.
• On the eastern slopes, rhododendrons MONAL

grow to tree height.


3. Desert
• The natural vegetation consists of tropical thorn forests and tropical
dry deciduous forests, sandy deserts with seasonal salt marshes
and mangroves are found in the main estuaries. Typical shrubs are
phog growing on sand dunes. Sewan grass covers extensive areas
called PALI.

• Thar desert possesses most of the major insect species


– 43 reptile species and moderate bird endemism are found here.
• The BLACK BUCK was once the dominant mammal of the desert region.

• NILGAI the largest antelope of India and the WILD ASS.

BLACK BUCK NILGAI WILD ASS


4. SEMI-ARID REGION
• The natural vegetation consists of tropical thorn
forests and tropical dry deciduous forests,
moisture forests (extreme north) and mangroves.
• The sandy plains have a few scattered trees of
Acacia and Prosopis.
• The gravelly plains have Calotropis, Gymnosporia,
etc.
• Asiatic Lion
Acacia

Gymnosporia
Prosopis Calotropis
5. Western Ghats
• They cover only 5% of India's land surface but are
home to more than about 4,000 of the country's
plant species of which 1800 are endemic.
• This zone displays diversity of forests from evergreen
to dry deciduous.
• The Nilgiri langur, lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri tahr,
Malabar grey hornbill and Most amphibian species
are endemic to the Western Ghats.

Nilgiri langur Malabar grey hornbill


lion tailed macaque Nilgiri tahr
6. Deccan Peninsula
• There are four major rivers that support the
wetlands of this region which have fertile black and
red soil.
• Fauna like tiger, sloth bear, wild boar, gaur and chital
are found throughout the zone along with small relict
populations of wild buffaloes, elephants and
barasingha.

gaur
chital

sloth bear wild boar


7. GANGETIC PLAIN
• The large forest area is under tropical dry deciduous
forest and the southeastern end of the Gangetic
plain merges with the littoral and mangroves regions
of the Sunderbans.
• The fauna includes elephants, black buck, gazelle,
rhinoceros, Bengal florican, crocodile, freshwater
turtle.
gazelle

Bengal florican
8. COASTAL REGION
• The natural vegetation consists of mangroves.
• Animal species include dugong, dolphins, crocodiles
and avifauna.
• There are 26 species of fresh water turtles and
tortoises in India and 5 species of marine turtles,
which inhabit and feed in coastal waters and lay their
eggs on suitable beaches. Tortoise live and breed
mainly on the land.

mangroves dugong avifauna


9. North East
• Biological resources are rich in this zone.
• The tropical vegetation of northeast India is
rich in evergreen and semievergreen rain
forests, moist deciduous monsoon forests,
swamps and grasslands.
• Mammalian fauna includes 390 species of
which 63% are found in Assam. The area is
rich in smaller carnivores. The country's
highest population of elephants are found
here
10. INDIAN ISLANDS
• It is a group of 325 islands: Andaman to the north and Nicobar
to the south.
• At present, 21 of the 325 islands in the Andaman & Nicobar
Islands are inhabited. Many unique plants and animals are
found here. About 2,200 species of higher plants are found
here of which 200 are endemic.
• 112 endemic species of avifauna, the Andaman water monitor,
giant robber crab, 4 species of turtles, wild boar.
• Coral reefs are stretched over an area of 11,000 sq.km. in the
Andamans and 2,700 sq.km. in Nicobar.

Andaman water monitor


Threats to biodiversity

E.O. Wilson – Acronym “HIPPO”

H stands for HABITAT DESTRUCTION


I stands for INVASIVE SPECIES
P stands for POLLUTION
P stands for HUMAN OVERPOPULATION
O stands for OVER HARVESTING
Major threats to bio-diversity
 Climate Change

 Habitat Loss

 Overharvesting or POACHING

 Excessive use of pesticides

 Use of radioactive rays


1. Climate Change

What are the cause for climate change?

Burning of
 Coal
 Oil
 Natural gas
2. Habitat Loss
Habitat is the sum of

 Environmental factor
 Food
 Water and
 Shelter
Factors influencing Habitat Loss
 Deforestation Conversion of forest into agri…
 Destruction of wetlands due to draining,
filling and pollution, which causes huge biodiversity loss

 Habitat fragmentation due to HF, many wild


animals and singing birds are vanishing

 Production of drugs – Pharma companies


produce drugs using wild plants.
 Development activities due Construction
of massive dams, bridges, etc.,
 Illegal Trade
3. Over harvesting or Poaching
Illegal killing of animals by men. It leads
to loss of animal biodiversity
Two types of Poaching
 Subsistence Poaching
Killing animals for their survival of day to day life

 Commercial Poaching
Hunting and killing animals to sell their products
What are the cause of Poaching?

 Global demand of IVORY


 Fur coat made from Tiger & Leopard

High cost of wildlife products:

 Horns, tusks, live specimens and


herbal products.
What are the solutions?

 Illegal hunting and trade of animals and


animal products should be stopped
immediately
 We should not purchase wildlife products
like …….
 Bio-diversity laws should be strengthened.
4. Excessive use of pesticides

It has threatened the biodiversity on


 Soil
 Water and
 Air
5. Use of Radioactive rays

The release of radioactivity during


experiments of atom bombs and
explosion during war has also
threatened the Bio-diversity.
Man-Wildlife Conflicts
The reason is
Man Animals
Eg.
1. Sambalpur, Orissa – 195 humans were
killed by Elephants. In relation 98
elephants were killed by villagers
Causes of Man-Wildlife Conflicts
Even though we protect our wildlife, sometimes we come across
conflicting situation, when wildlife starts causing immense damage
and danger to man.
 Diminishing habitats of animals like tigers, elephants, rhinos
and bears due to shrinking forest.
 Growing human population overlap with wildlife, creating
reduction of resources or life to people or animal.
 Injured animals have a tendency to attack man. Usually female
animals attacks the human if it feels her new born cubs are in
danger.
 Villagers put electric wiring around their fields. So the
elephants get injured and turn into violent.
 Damage to agricultural crops and property, killing of
livestock and human beings are some of the worst forms of
man-animal conflict
Man-Wildlife Conflicts
Solutions to conflict
 Solar powered fencing should be provided along with
electric fencing to prevent the entry of animals.
 Harvesting pattern should be changed near the forest
border and make sure the availability of fruits, water and
bamboo leaves for elephants within the forest zones.
(mozambique, portugest, planted chilli pepper powder)
 Wildlife corridors should be provided for mass
migration of big animals during unfavourable periods.
300 km2 area is required for elephants due to their
seasonal migration.
 Adequate crop compensation and cattle
compensation must be given to farmers
without time delay.
The Government has initiated a number of
steps in this regard including the following
1. Providing assistance to State Governments for improvement of
habitat to augment food and water availability and to reduce
movement of animals from the forests to the habitations.
2. Encouraging State Governments for creation of a network of
Protected Areas and wildlife corridors for conservation of wildlife.
3. Awareness programmes to sensitize the people about the Do’s and
Don’ts to minimize conflicts.
4. Training programmes for forest staff and police to address the
problems of human-wildlife conflicts.
5. Providing technical and financial support for development of
necessary infrastructure and support facilities for immobilization
of problematic animals through tranquilization, their translocation
to the rescue centres or release back to the natural habitats.
6. Providing assistance to State Governments for construction
of boundary walls and solar fences around the sensitive
areas to prevent the wild animal attacks.
7. Supplementing State Government resources for payment of
ex-gratia to the people for injuries and loss of life in case of
wild animal attacks.
8. Empowering the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State/Union
Territories to permit hunting of such problematic animals
under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
9. Providing assistance to the State Governments for eco-
development activities in villages around Protected Areas to
elicit cooperation of local community in management of the
Protected Areas.
10. Encouraging and supporting involvement of the research and
academic institutions and leading voluntary organizations
having expertise in managing human -wildlife conflict
situations
Conservation of Biodiversity
Why we conserve biodiversity?

The enormous value of biodiversity due to their


genetic, commercial, medical, aesthetic and
ecological importance emphasizes the need to
conserve Biodiversity.
There are two approaches of biodiversity
conservation
• In situ Conservation (within habitat)
This is achieved by protection of wild flora and
fauna in nature itself. Eg. National Park,
Sanctuaries, Reserve Forest, etc.,
• Ex situ Conservation (outside habitat)
This is achieved by establishment of Seed/gene
banks, zoos, botanical gardens, etc.,
At present, we have
Biosphere Reserves - 7
National Parks - 80
Wildlife sanctuaries - 420
Botanical gardens - 120
Important National Parks in India
Name of the Park State and Wildlife

• Kaziranga • Assam - One-horned Rhino


• Gir National Park • Gujarat – Indian Lion
• Dachigam • J&K – Hangul
• Bandipur • Karnataka – Elephant
• Periyar • Kerala – Elephant and Tiger
• Kanha • M.P – Tiger
• Dudwa • U.P – Tiger
• Sariska • Rajasthan – Tiger
Important Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
Name of the Sanctuary State and Wildlife

• Ghana Bird Sanctuary • Rajasthan - birds


• Hazaribagh Sanctuary • Bihar - Tiger
• Sultanpur Sanctuary • Haryana - Birds
• Mudumalai Sanctuary • Tamil Nadu – Tiger,
elephant, leopard
• Vedanthangal Sanctuary • Tamil Nadu - birds
• Wild Ass Sanctuary • Gujarat - Wild Ass, Wolf
Projects for conserving endangered
species

 Project Tiger
 Project Crocodile
 Project Elephant
IN SITU Conservation
Advantages Disadvantages
• Maintaining population • Requires more space
• Evolve better form of life • To maintain the food chain,
• Cheap and convenient large no. of species should
• Conserve the genetic be protected.
diversity of all the existing • Maintenance is also difficult
species.
• It ensures long term
protection
Ex situ Conservation (outside habitat)

This is achieved by establishment of gene banks,


seed banks, zoos, botanical gardens, etc.,
In India, we have the following facilities:

 NBPGR (National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources)

 NBAGR (National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources)

 NFPTCR (National Facility for Plant Tissue Culture


Repository)
 NBPGR (National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources)
It is located in New Delhi. Here, agricultural and
horticultural crops and their wild relatives are preserved by
using liquid Nitrogen at a temperature of less than –
196 deg C.

 NBAGR (National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources)


It is located in Karnal, Haryana . Here, the semen of
domesticated bovine animals are preserved.

 NFPTCR (National Facility for Plant Tissue Culture


Repository)
Here, it preserves variety of crop plants / trees by tissue
culture.
EXSITU Conservation
• Advantages • Disadvantages
• Protect endangered • Highly expensive
species. process
• Breeding of hybrid • Not viable for the
species is possible protection of rare
• Quality of offspring may species.
be improved by genetic • Wildlife vast : difficult to
modification conserve through
specific methods.
KUDZU PLANT
“The vine that ate the South”

Love It, Or Hate It… It Grows On You!


POLYNESIAN ISLAND

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