CLASSIFICATION,

BIODIVERSITY
AND CONSERVATION
CLASSIFICATION
 • A species is defined as a group of
organisms that can interbreed and
produce fertile offspring under
natural conditions.
• Biological species concept is

Species
widely used but not universal. Other
concepts include morphological and
phylogenetic species concepts.
• Limitations: Doesn't apply to
extinct organisms, organisms

Concept
reproducing asexually, or hybrid
species.
• Fact: Roughly 86% of existing
species on Earth and 91% of species
in the ocean remain undescribed.
• Significance: Accurate species
identification is essential for
conservation, biodiversity studies,
and ecological research.
 • Classification groups organisms
based on shared characteristics
and ancestry.

Hierarchical
• Main ranks: Domain >
Kingdom > Phylum > Class >
Order > Family > Genus >
Species.

Classificati
• Uses binomial nomenclature:
A universal system for naming
species (Genus species).

on
• Significance: Provides
structure for biological research,
taxonomy, and communication
among scientists globally.
• Fact: Carl Linnaeus is
considered the father of modern
taxonomy.
 • Bacteria: Unicellular prokaryotes,
with peptidoglycan cell walls. Found
everywhere, including inside human
bodies.
• Archaea: Prokaryotes with unique
membrane lipids; live in extreme
conditions (e.g., hot springs, salt

Domains
lakes).
• Eukarya: Organisms with membrane-
bound organelles and nuclei. Includes
animals, plants, fungi, and protists.
• Significance: The domain system
reflects evolutionary relationships
better than previous classifications.
• Fact: Archaea were once grouped
with bacteria until molecular studies
proved their distinct lineage.
 • Protoctista: A diverse group
including algae, protozoa; mostly
unicellular, some multicellular.

Kingdoms
• Fungi: Decomposers, heterotrophic,
absorb nutrients; includes molds,
mushrooms, yeasts.
• Plantae: Autotrophic, photosynthetic
organisms with cellulose walls.

of
Essential for oxygen production.
• Animalia: Multicellular,
heterotrophic, with complex organ
systems. Includes invertebrates and
vertebrates.

Eukarya
• Significance: Understanding
kingdoms helps in ecological roles,
evolutionary studies, and
biotechnology.
• Fact: Fungi play a crucial role in
nutrient cycling and symbiotic
relationships (e.g., mycorrhizae with
plants).
 • Acellular, non-living particles
with DNA or RNA.
• Require host cells to replicate;
infect all life forms.
• Not classified under domains or
kingdoms due to lack of

Viruses
cellular structure.
• Significance: Studying viruses
is essential for medicine,
epidemiology, and genetic
research.
• Fact: The COVID-19 pandemic
was caused by the novel
coronavirus SARS-CoV-2,
highlighting the global impact
of viruses.
BIODIVERSITY
 • Ecosystem: Biological
community interacting with the

Ecosyste
physical environment.
• Habitat: The natural home or
environment of a species.
• Includes abiotic (climate, soil)

ms and
and biotic (living organisms)
factors.
• Significance: Healthy
ecosystems provide essential

Habitats
services like oxygen, water
purification, and pollination.
• Fact: The Amazon rainforest is
the largest tropical rainforest
and a critical global carbon
sink.
 • Combination of species
richness (number of
species) and evenness
(relative abundance).

Species
• High species diversity
contributes to ecological
resilience and productivity.
• Significance: Biodiverse

Diversity
ecosystems are more
stable and capable of
recovering from
disturbances.
• Fact: Coral reefs, despite
covering only 0.1% of the
ocean floor, support 25%
of all marine species.
 • Refers to variation in DNA
among individuals of a
species.
• Essential for adaptation to

Genetic
changing environments,
disease resistance, and
evolutionary processes.
• Significance: Populations

Diversity
with low genetic diversity
are more vulnerable to
extinction.
• Fact: Bananas grown
commercially are nearly
genetically identical,
making them susceptible to
disease.
 • Random Sampling:
• Quadrats: Count
species in a fixed square

Assessing area (for plants and

slow-moving animals).
• Pooters: Suction tools
to capture small insects

Species for study.

• Systematic Sampling:
• Line Transects: Study

Diversity
species along a straight
line across a habitat.
• Significance: Scientific
sampling helps in accurate
monitoring of biodiversity
and habitat health.
MAINTAINING
BIODIVERSITY
 • Natural extinction occurs
slowly over time, but
human-driven
extinctions are
accelerating.

Extinction • Causes: habitat loss,

pollution, overexploitation,
climate change, invasive
species.

s • Significance: Each
extinction can lead to
cascading effects in food
chains.
• Fact: One million species
are at risk of extinction
according to the IPBES 2019
report.
 • Moral/Ethical: Every species has
a right to exist.
• Ecological: Species interactions
maintain ecosystem balance.
• Economic: Source of food,

Reasons for medicine, raw materials,

ecotourism.
• Aesthetic: Nature enhances well-

Maintaining
being and cultural value.
• Agricultural: Genetic diversity
improves crop resilience.

Biodiversity • Environmental: Forests regulate

climate and purify air and water.
• Significance: Biodiversity
sustains ecosystem services vital
for human survival.
• Fact: Over 50% of modern
medicines are derived from
natural sources.
PROTECTING
ENDANGERED
SPECIES
 • Legally protected areas
preserving wildlife and
habitats.
• Allow for research,

National
recreation, and education.
• Significance: Safeguards
biodiversity and helps

Parks
restore endangered
populations.
• Fact: India's Jim Corbett
National Park was the first
national park in Asia,
established in 1936.
 • House endangered
animals for breeding and
conservation.
• Acts as a public education
centers to raise
awareness.

Zoos
• Significance: Play a vital
role in ex-situ
conservation and
preserving genetic
diversity.
• Fact: The scimitar-horned
oryx was extinct in the
wild but has been
reintroduced via zoo
breeding programs.
 • Includes artificial
insemination, in vitro
fertilization (IVF), and
embryo transfer.

Assisted • Helps conserve species

with low natural
reproduction rates.

Reproducti • Significance: Expands

the gene pool and saves
species on the brink of

on extinction.
• Fact: IVF techniques have
helped endangered felines
like the Bengal tiger and
cheetah.
 Botanic
• Botanic gardens grow
and study plant species.
• Seed banks store seeds
under controlled

Gardens conditions for future use.

• Significance: Preserve
genetic diversity and

and Seed
protect against crop
failure and climate
disasters.
• Fact: The Millennium

Banks Seed Bank in the UK aims

to conserve 25% of global
plant species by 2025.
CONTROLLING
ALIEN SPECIES
 • Species introduced
(accidentally or deliberately)
to non-native areas.
• Often lack natural predators
and outcompete native

Invasive species.
• Examples: Water hyacinth,
cane toads, zebra mussels.

Species
• Significance: Early detection
and rapid response are key to
management.
• Fact: Invasive species cost
the global economy over
$423 billion annually in
damages and control efforts.
 • Biodiversity is essential for
life, providing ecological,
economic, and cultural
benefits.
• Classification helps us

CONCLUSIO
understand and protect the
diversity of life.
• Conservation is a collective

N
responsibility to safeguard
our planet.
• Quote: "In the end, we will
conserve only what we love;
we will love only what we
understand; and we will
understand only what we
are taught." – Baba Dioum
THANK YOU