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What is BiodiversityBiodiversity means the variety of life on Earth. It is measured as the Species Diversityor Genetic diversity, and the variety of Ecosystems.

Marine BiodiversityEnvironment and EcologyWhat is Environment? Surroundings: Natural and man made

What is Ecology? The study of the interactions between organisms and their environmentEcosystemBiotic factors: LivingAbiotic factors: Non living

Biotic factor, Abiotic factor and their interaction with one another

Species DiversityGenetic DiversityEcosystem DiversityTerrestrial EcosystemEvergreen forestGrass landDry deciduous forestAquatic EcosystemRiverLakeCoastal EcosystemMangrove EcosystemDomesticated DiversityDifferent crop varieties and livestock breeds

Navdanya has identified over 150 sps of rice in Western Ghats

Warali tribes in Maharashtra grow different varieties of rice for different climatic conditions

Indias eight breeds of buffaloes represents the entire range of genetic diversity of the world

Importance of BiodiversityDiversity is the key to ensuring the continuance of life on earth Evolved through millions of years of evolutionHigher the diversity = greater stability !!Provides Invaluable Ecosystem services

It is the essence of life on earthBiodiversity GlobalNo. of total species - ????estimated total at about 5 million - 30 millionThe number of described species 1.4 million; Majority of unidentified species are microbes and insectsIt has taken 3.5 billion years for this biodiversity to evolve, We are rapidly destroying it.India - Biodiversity 8.1% of all biodiversity in 2.4% of worlds areaOrigin of 30,000 cultivated Plants6,33,000 km2 of forest cover (~19% of the land)4.5% of area of India is protected84 National Parks and 447 WLS12 Biosphere Reserves and 23 Tiger ReservesHigh endemicity (5150 species (33%) of plants are endemic)Centre of Plant BiodiversityAt least 166 sps of crops and 320 species of wild relatives of cultivated crops are originated in India(NY Vavilov-Russian Scientist)Green revolution-High yielding varieties crop favour uniformity makes crop vulnarable for pest & diseasesIndigenous varieties have greater ability to stand adverse conditionsIndia biodiversity45,000 plant species (15,000 flowering plants)81,000 species of animals, including 57,000 insects 4,000 molluscs, 2546 fish, 428 reptiles, 140 amphibians, 1228 birds and 372 mammals20000 invertebratesMedicinal plantsIndia has 2,500 medicinal plantsOf these, 2000 to 2,300 species are used in traditional medicines Only around 150 species are used commercially (Tulsi, Neem Turmeric, etc. )

Western GhatsOne of the Biodiversity Hotspots in IndiaMore than 5000 sps of PlantsBird spp 510Mammals 139Diverse Ecosystems: Evergreen, Moist and dry deciduous forest, Scrub jungle etc

Nilgiri Thar-State animal of TN- Endangered

Butterfliesin WesternGhats

Nilgiri Biosphere ReserveIndias first Biosphere Reserve (Siruvani Hills comes under NBRPlant sps 3300Birds 350 spsButterflies 300 spsReptiles and amphibians 80 spsMammals 100 spsEndangered Endemic to the area Lion Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri TharWhy to Conserve ?Ethical value: Every one has a right to live on this planet

Aesthetic Value: Each species adds to the richness and beauty of life on the Earth. Ones a species becomes extinct, its gone for ever.

Ecological services: Every species has its own role to play in the ecosystem Every single species is an integral part of the vast chain of life

Why to Conserve?Economic Value:

Many species are used as food, medicine and resource for industrial products. Values of many sp. (and even the species itself) are still unknown.

Rosy periwinkle is now being used to treat Hodgkins disease and cancerSarpagandha traditionally used for snake bite, dysentery, nervous disorder, feverReserpine, an extract from the plant is now the principal source of material for traquilizers.Around 119 pure chemical substances extracted from about 90 species of higher plants are also used in allopathic medicine.

Biodiversity loss Habitat DegradationAll Natural habitats are under threat from human activitiesPollution, Over-exploitation, deforestation, reclamation,Habitat fragmentationWildlife corridors destructionIf current trends continue, humanity will irreversibly alter virtually all of Earth's remaining natural ecosystems within a few decades.

Biodiversity lossIntroduced Species -Lantana invasion in Western Ghats -Rabbit boom Doom story in Australia

Overexploitation of plants and animals-Frog legs from India exported to Europe and North America- Now it is bannedGlobal climate changeLoss of diversity due to extreme climatic conditions

Every single day .We are losing 300 km2 of rainforest, (1 acre / second)40 to 100 speciesAlready lost 1 million species, Natural rate of extinction - 1species/ year, The present rate is 1species/hour (10,000 times higher)

Tonight the Earth will be a little hotter, its waters more acidicEndangered Indian Wildlife

Trade in tiger boneMajor factor that threatens survivalUsed for thousands of years in Asian medicine for treatment of rheumatismIvory tradeDecimated Indian Elephant populationsTiger bone wine

Hunting/ Poaching

Loss of BiodiversityThe Cheeta -spotted big cat is extinct in IndiaPink Headed duck-ExtinctLoktak lake-Manipur Brow antler deer (Dancing deer) Endangered due to habitat lossShrinking ranges

Siberian TigerBengal TigerAsian ElephantTradition of ConservationAnimal worshipSnake, Peacock, Eagle, Rat, CowSacred grovesVat Vruksha Pooja, Vana MahotsavaSacred flowers, leaves etc for Pooja

Emperor Ashoka established Animal Hospitals in 3rd Century BCunityKnown to lay down lives for plants/wildlifeBudhism and Gandhism & Universal Brotherhood concepts

Human-Animal ConflictsExamplesLeopard at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivili our interference with the wildlife habitatsCrop raiding by elephants Destruction of Wildlife CorridorsBharatpur (Keoladeo National Park)Wrong conservation decisions avoiding peopleConservation MythNature conservation is Against development ?Truth Ultimately no development is sustainable without taking care of Nature, On the other hand people participation is vitalSustainable DevelopmentMeeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs**Conservation Efforts: InternationalThe Biodiversity Convention

Focuses on the conservation of biodiversity and on sustainable use of biological resources and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use. 1992 at United Nations Conference on Environment and Develoment held in Brazil

The Convention on wetlands of International importance

The Convention also known as the Ramsar Convention, was signed in Ramsar (Iran). It provides a framework for international cooperation for the conservation of wetland habitats. National Conservation strategiesEnvironmental Protection Act 1986Fisheries act 1897Forest act 1927Forest Conservation act 1980Wildlife protection act 1972 Amendment 1991Conservation effortsSilent valley was saved due to Environmentalist (Kerala shastra sahitya parishad)

What if Pooyamkutty hydroelectric project in Kerala comes?-Submergence of 2400 ha of forest-174 sp of medicinal plants- loss-Loss of breeding ground of Elephants

What can we do?Acquire and propagate knowledge on Wildlife & Biodiversity

Respond positively to conservation effortsJoin hands with concerned organizations such as BNHS or WWF, Green Peace etc., which are working for Nature ConservationVisit Natural forests and Sanctuaries and feel the NatureRespect everyone's right to live

What can we do?Be VigilantReport to Forest authorities and/or Police of any Forest destruction, Tree cutting, Wildlife trade or hunting. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 prohibits any person from hunting of Wild life and buying of Wild life products.

Avoid Wildlife productsDo not buy items made up of Ivory, Fur, leather, etc, Also try to convince other people not to buy them either. Minimise the use of wooden/paper materials.

Plant trees/plants /protect forests/habitats