Biodiversity and Its Conservation
Dr. D. K. Paul
P. G. Dept. of Zoology
Patna University, Patna, Bihar
and
Chiranjeev KumarM. Sc., Environment Management, FRI, Dehradun
THE BIODIVERSITYTHE BIODIVERSITY
Biological diversity - or biodiversity - is Biological diversity - or biodiversity - is the term given to the variety of life on the term given to the variety of life on Earth. It is the result of billions of years Earth. It is the result of billions of years of evolution, shaped by natural of evolution, shaped by natural processes and, increasingly, by the processes and, increasingly, by the influence of humans. influence of humans.
It forms the web of life of which we are It forms the web of life of which we are an integral part and upon which we so an integral part and upon which we so fully depend. fully depend.
BIODIVERSITY IS …BIODIVERSITY IS …
1)1)Variety of speciesVariety of species2)2)Genetic differencesGenetic differences
3)3)Variety of ecosystemsVariety of ecosystems
Biodiversity:Sps. Diversity
THE CHALLENGES FACING BIODIVERSITY.
Species have been disappearing at up to 1000 times the natural rate
• An estimate 34,000 plant and 5,200 animal species face extinction
• 20% of known bird species have already disappeared
• 41% of mammals are in decline and 28% are under direct threat
• 45% of the Earth's original forests are gone. Forest areas are being lost every year.
– CBD 2010 Report
Human activities are creating the greatest
wave of extinction since the natural
disaster that wiped out the many species.
Threats to biodiversity
• Habitat loss
•Over-exploitation
• Pollution and
climate change
The Biological Diversity
Biodiversity Conservation: Common Challenges
BIODIVERSITY IS IMPORTANT BIODIVERSITY IS IMPORTANT
FOR US AND THE WORLDFOR US AND THE WORLD
Protecting biodiversity is in our self interest, Protecting biodiversity is in our self interest, providing the goods and services that sustain providing the goods and services that sustain our lives including:our lives including:
• Provision of shelter and building materials Provision of shelter and building materials • Stabilization and moderation of Stabilization and moderation of
the Earth's climatethe Earth's climate
• Purification of air and water Purification of air and water • Provision of food, fuel and fibreProvision of food, fuel and fibre• Cultural and aesthetic benefitsCultural and aesthetic benefits
Biodiversity Help to Providing: Ecosystem services
• Provide:
–goods
–ecosystem functions
–aesthetic and cultural
values
• High global value
• Cost of loss greatly exceeds
benefits
Global Strategy for Plant Conservation
• Targets for:
– understanding and documenting
plant diversity
– conserving plant diversity
– sustainable use
– education
– capacity building
Biodiversity Conservation through: Use & Exchange of Techniques
Propagation protocols
Reintroduction of programmes
Exchange of techniques
Use Traditional Knowledge
Biodiversity Conservation through:Education/Training
Training courses & workshops
Higher educationSharing photos
& education materials
2010 Biodiversity Target
‘To achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on earth’
Thank you