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