Environmental Science
Syllabus
Unit 1: Introduction to environmental studies
Unit 2: Ecosystems
Unit 3: Natural Resources
Unit 4: Biodiversity and its conservation
Biological diversity (or Bio-diversity)
Biological diversity refers to the variety
and the number of living organisms
present in an ecosystem. Biodiversity refers
to that part of nature which includes all
forms of life such as plants, animals and
microorganisms. These life forms may vary
in shape, size and color.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was
signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in
1992 (196 countries participated)
Bio-diversity
The Convention on Biological Diversity defines
biodiversity as: “the variability among living organisms
from all sources including, terrestrial, marine and
other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes
of which they are a part; this includes diversity within
species, between species, and of ecosystems.”
Diversity is a rule of nature and the policy of the
habitat.
So, there is difference of genes within and between the
species and also diversity of ecosystems. It is
impossible to have a species with nil diversity.
Types of bio-diversity
Genetic diversity
Species diversity
Ecosystem diversity
Regional diversity
National diversity
Global diversity
BIOGEOGRAPHICAL CLASSIFICATION OF
INDIA
Trans-Himalayan Region
The Himalayas
The Desert
Semi-Arid region
Western Ghats
Deccan Peninsula
North Eastern region
The Gangetic plain
Islands
Coasts
HOTSPOTS OF BIODIVERSITY
The concept of biodiversity hotspots was originated by
Norman Myers in two articles in “The
Environmentalist” (1988).
To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot on Myers 2000
edition of the hotspot-map, a region must meet
two strict criteria:
1. It must contain at least 0.5% or 1,500 species of plants
as endemics, and
2. It has to have lost at least 70% of its primary
vegetation.
BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS IN INDIA
1. Himalaya: Includes the entire Indian Himalayan
region (and that falling in Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal,
Bhutan, China and Myanmar)
2. Indo-Burma: Includes entire North-eastern India,
except Assam and Andaman group of Islands (and
Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and
southern China)
3. Sundalands: Includes Nicobar group of Islands (and
Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines)
4. Western Ghats and Sri Lanka: Includes entire
Western Ghats (and Sri Lanka)
ENDANGERED AND ENDEMIC SPECIES OF INDIA
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and
Natural Resources (IUCN) has categorized wild flora and
fauna into the following categories:
Extinct – No known individuals remaining.
Vulnerable – High risk of endangerment.
Endangered – High risk of extinction.
Threatened – Likely to become endangered in the near
future.
Out of danger– Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at
risk category.
Endemic species
Species that have very restricted distribution and are
found over relatively small ranges are called endemic
species.
Endemic species once lost, it is a loss of biodiversity of
these species forever.
In India there are about 1272 species of endemic
angiosperms out of 3800 species occurring in Kerala,
which is 33.5% of its flora. Out of 5725 endemics in
India, endemics of Kerala constitute 22.6% of Indian
endemics.
THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
Habitat destruction
Encroachment of invasive species
Environmental pollution
Over exploitation of resources
Climate Change
Hunting
HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICTS IN INDIAN
CONTEXT
Reason behind the Human Interaction
Deforestation
Loss of Habitat
Decline in Prey
Injured or Old Animal
Growing Human Population
Results of Human Wildlife Conflict
Crop Damage
Animal Deaths
Loss of Human Life
Injuries to People
Injuries to Wildlife
Livestock Depredation
Solutions to Reduce Human Interaction and
Wildlife Conflict
Fencing
Land-Use Planning
Livestock Protection
Avoid stepping out after dark
Conservation of Biodiversity
In Situ
Ex Situ
In Situ
National parks
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Biosphere reserves:
Core zone- it is meant for the conservation of
biodiversity and is totally secured.
Buffer zone- This zone surrounds the core zone
and is used for activities such as environmental
research, education, monitoring and recreation etc.
Transition zone-
Main Values of Biodiversity
1. Environmental Value
2. Social Value
3. Ecosystem Services
4. Economic Value
5. Consumptive use value
6. Productive Use Value
7. Ethical and Moral Value
8. Aesthetic Value.
Thank you
