Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth, encompassing different forms of living organisms and their ecosystems. This diversity is organized into three hierarchical levels:
Learning Outcomes:
Understand the concept and levels of biodiversity.
Identify biodiversity hotspots, particularly in India.
Learn about international and national conservation efforts and strategies.
Recognize the importance of protected areas and endemic species.
Levels of Biodiversity
Genetic Diversity: Represents the variation within and between populations of organisms, reflecting heritable differences.
Species Diversity: Refers to the number of species in a specific habitat or site.
Ecosystem Diversity: Encompasses the variety of ecosystems, habitats, or community levels within a geographical area.
Important Note: Biodiversity tends to be highest near the equator due to warmer climates and higher productivity, with marine biodiversity peaking along coasts in the Western Pacific.
Mapping Biodiversity
Early efforts to map biodiversity began with scientists like Paul Williams and Chris Humpreger. They categorized biodiversity into three types:
Alpha Diversity: Total species count in a region.
Beta Diversity: Compares biodiversity between ecosystems, measuring species change.
Gamma Diversity: Change rate of species with geographical expansion.
Biodiversity Hotspots
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a large reservoir of biodiversity under threat. The concept was first proposed by Norman Myers. A region qualifies as a hotspot if:
It has at least 0.5% or 1,500 endemic vascular plant species.
It has lost at least 70% of its primary vegetation.
Globally, there are 25 recognized hotspots. In India, there are three key biodiversity hotspots:
Eastern Himalaya
Comprises Nepal, Bhutan, Northeast India, and parts of Yunnan in China.
Approximately 5,800 plant species, with 36% endemic.
Hosts over 60% of India’s bird species and several endemic reptiles and amphibians.
Western Ghats
Spread across six Indian states.
Rich in endemism, with 490 arborescent taxa (308 endemic).
Includes 315 vertebrate species, with high rates of endemism among amphibians and reptiles.
Indo-Burma
Spans Eastern Bangladesh, Malaysia, Northeast India, and parts of Southeast Asia.
Known for diverse ecosystems and numerous endemic species.
Conservation Strategies
In-situ (On-site)
Conservation of species in their natural habitats, preserving natural processes and interactions.
Ex-situ (Off-site)
Conservation outside natural habitats, such as in zoos, botanical gardens, and seed banks.
Concept: In-situ conservation is the most effective method because it allows natural evolutionary processes to continue, whereas ex-situ is crucial for species facing imminent extinction.
International Institutions for Biodiversity Conservation
Bird Life International
A global partnership aimed at conserving birds, their habitats, and biodiversity. Publishes “World Bird Watch” magazine.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Established in 1948, focuses on finding solutions to environmental challenges. Publishes the IUCN Red List, the most comprehensive inventory of species’ global conservation status.
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
Founded in 1961, it focuses on restoring populations of 36 critical species and publishes the “Living Planet Index.”
UNESCO-World Heritage Convention
Lists and protects World Heritage Sites, including both cultural and natural sites. Key Indian sites include Kaziranga National Park, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Western Ghats.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Promotes sustainable environmental initiatives and serves as a global advocate for environmental conservation.
Conservation Projects and Programmes in India
Project
Year Initiated
Target Species
Locations
Project Tiger
1973
Tiger
Various Tiger Reserves
Project Elephant
1992
Asian Elephant
13 states/UTs
Project Rhino
1987
One-horned Rhino
Kaziranga, Manas, Jaldapara
Project Crocodile
1975
Estuarine & Gharial Crocodiles
16 rearing centers
Project Snow Leopard
2006
Snow Leopard
Himalayan States
Endemic Species of India
India boasts several unique plant and animal species native to its diverse ecosystems:
Endemic Plant Species:
Teak (Tectona Grandis): Native to southwestern peninsular India, widely used for construction.
Sal (Shorea Robusta): Found in northwestern India, valuable for seeds used in cosmetics.
Oak (Grevillea Robusta): Common in temperate Himalayan regions.
Endemic Animal Species:
Mammals: Chital, Barasingha, Indian Wild Ass, Nilgai, Snow Leopard.
Birds: Paradise Flycatcher, Great Indian Bustard, Flamingo.
Note: Endemic species are crucial for ecological balance and often highly specialized for their habitats, making them vulnerable to changes in their environment.
National Legislations and Conservation Acts
Indian Forest Act, 1927: Establishes procedures for declaring forests and defines forest offenses.
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Provides legal protection to wildlife species and establishes schedules of protected species.
Biological Diversity Act, 2002: Aims for the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of biological resources, and equitable benefit sharing.
National Green Tribunal Act, 2010: Establishes a tribunal for expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental protection.
Protected Areas in India
India’s diverse ecosystems are safeguarded through various protected areas:
Type of Area
Description
Sanctuary
Ecological, faunal, or floral significance; certain rights may be permitted.
National Park
Strict protection, no grazing or resource exploitation allowed.
Conservation Reserve
Government-owned areas linking protected zones, managed with community consultation.
Community Reserve
Privately or community-owned lands with conservation voluntarily upheld by locals.
Important Concept: The establishment of transboundary protected areas is crucial for conserving ecological corridors shared between nations.
International Conventions on Biodiversity Conservation
Ramsar Convention, 1971: A treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, recognizing their ecological and economic significance.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1993: Legally binding treaty with goals for conservation, sustainable use, and fair benefit-sharing of genetic resources.
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, 2000: Protects biodiversity from risks associated with living modified organisms.
Nagoya Protocol, 2010: Promotes fair sharing of benefits arising from genetic resource utilization.
National Conservation Projects
Project Tiger (1973): Launched to conserve the tiger population across designated reserves.
Project Rhino (1987): Focuses on protecting the one-horned rhinoceros in Assam and West Bengal.
Project Crocodile (1975): Aims to protect estuarine crocodiles, swamp crocodiles, and gharials through breeding centers.
Project Snow Leopard (2006): Protects snow leopards in the Himalayan states by conserving their natural habitats.
Conservation and Biodiversity Networks
UNESCO-Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB)
Created in 1977 to promote ecosystem conservation through interdisciplinary management and sustainable resource use.
MAB Network (Biosphere Reserves in India)
Biosphere Reserve
State
Year
Nilgiri
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka
2000
Sundarbans
West Bengal
2001
Great Nicobar
Great Nicobar Island
2013
Agasthyamalai
Kerala, Tamil Nadu
2016
Note: India’s biosphere reserves are recognized internationally for their ecological significance.
MCQ: Which of the following is a biodiversity hotspot in India? a) Thar Desert b) Western Ghats c) Indo-Gangetic Plains d) Deccan Plateau Answer: b) Western Ghats