Assignment on environmental

studies

Submitted to: Sunaina Subba Submitted by: Reha Gurung

Enrollment no:17fhucskdo3012

Course: B.Com 6th Sem

 Introduction.

Environmental studies are the study of human interaction with the environment and in
the interest of solving complex problems.

Environment includes which are directly dependent for our survival, whether it is living
component like animals, plants or non living component like soil, air and water.

It includes physical, chemical and other natural forces. Living things live in their
environment. They constantly interact with it and adapt themselves to condition in their
environment. In the environment there are different interaction between animals, plants,
soil, water and other living and non living things.
Biodiversity hotspot in Sikkim.

Sikkim covering just 0.2% of the geographical area of the country has been tremendous
biodiversity and has been identified as one of the hotspot in the eastern Himalayas.
There are 10 bio geographic zones and 25 biotic provinces which have 16 major forest
types and 200 sub types as per champion and seith 1968.

The state is endowed with rich flora and fauna diversity. Species wise, the state harbors
over 4500 flowering plants, 550 orchids, 36 rhododendron, 16 conifers, 28 bamboos,
362 ferns and its allies, 9 tree ferns, 30 primulas, 11 oaks, over 424 medicinal plants,
144 mammals, 550 birds, 48 fishes and over 600 butterflies while this figures are still
not absolute, its may be kept and mind that this is only the mega-fauna and flora. The
tremendous diversity of insects like beetles and moths as well as a host of others life
forms is yet to be enumerated. Most of the high altitude medicinal plant are rare and
and endangered species. Sikkim also has 28 mountains or peak or more than 80
glaciers, 227 high altitude lake/wet lands and over 14 rivers and streams.

Nature has been particularly generous in her gift of sylvan treasure to the state of
Sikkim. Luxuriant forest abound in all part of state and variety of medical plants, herbs,
shrubs, bamboos and tree growing in state is truly rich. In the forest, there are number
of plants whose medicinal values have been well recognized by local people as well as
by different pharmaceutical insecticidal and perfumery sectors. Medicinal plants ought
to be given the status of a “National resources” because their sustained availability is
essential to sustain one of the world’s oldest medicinal traditions, a priceless legacy of
the Indian people. The local inhabitants for treatment of various ailments use numerous
herbal remedies. Furthermore, modern medicine owes to the floral of these mountains.
Many inhabitants for treatment if various ailments remedies. Many species of Himalayan
origin have revolutionized the allopathic systems of medicine.
Biodiversity hotspot in Bhutan.

 
Bhutan is a biodiversity hotspot, one of the last remaining in the world; forest cover has
now increased to over 72% of the country, with 60% of the country under protection.

Bhutan is a biodiversity hotspot for flora and fauna:

The array of flora and fauna available in Bhutan is unparalleled due to conservation and
its wide altitudinal and climatic range. Physically, the country can be divided into three
zones:

1. Alpine Zone (4000m and above) with no forest cover;

2. Temperate Zone (2000 to 4000m) with conifer or broadleaf forests;
3. Subtropical Zone (150m to 2000m) with Tropical or Subtropical vegetation.

Bhutan is a biodiversity hotspot for forest types:

Forest types in Bhutan are fir forests, mixed conifer forest, blue pine forest, chirpine
forest, broadleaf mixed with conifer, upland hardwood forest, lowland hardwood forest,
and tropical lowland forests. Almost 60% of the plant species found in the eastern
Himalayan region are present in Bhutan.

Bhutan is a biodiversity hotspot for plants:

Bhutan boasts about 300 species of medicinal plants and about 46 species of
rhododendrons. Some common sights for the visitors are the magnolias, junipers,
orchids of varied hues, gentian, medicinal plants, Daphne, giant rhubarb, the blue and
trees such as fir, pine and oaks.

Bhutan is a biodiversity hotspot for endangered animals:

A wide range of rare and endangered animals can be found frequenting the dense
jungles and high mountains of Bhutan. Due to the country’s conservation efforts and its
unspoiled natural environment Bhutan supports thriving populations of some of the
rarest animals on earth and has thus been classified as one of the last biodiversity
hotspots in the world.

Bhutan is a biodiversity hotspot for high altitude animals:

Some high altitude species are the snow leopards, Bengal tigers that are found at
altitudes ranging from 3000 to 4000 meters, the red panda, the gorals and the langurs,
the Himalayan black bear, sambars, wild pigs, barking deer, blue sheep and musk deer.

In the tropical forests of Southern Bhutan one can come across clouded leopards, the
one horned rhinoceros, elephants, water buffaloes and swamp deer. You can even find
the Golden Langur, a species of monkey that is unique to Bhutan.
Bhutan is a biodiversity hotspot and:
As one of the ten global hotspots, Bhutan is committed to preserve and protect its rich
environment through its government and environmental organizations. This commitment
is apparent in the fact that the kingdom has the distinct honor of being one of the only
nations whose forest cover has actually grown over the years.

Some of the proactive organizations working in Bhutan are:

• National Environmental Commission

• Royal Society for the Protection of Nature clubs throughout the country.
• Department of Forestry Services.
• Nature Conservation Department
• Bhutan Trust Fund.
• Donor Organizations.
• Association of Bhutan Tour Operators.
• WWF

Biodiversity hotspot in Nepal.

Nepal is a mountainous country in the central Himalayas, which occupies about one
third of (800 km) of the entire length of the Himalayan mountain range. Nepal alone
claims eight out of the top ten tallest mountains in the world, including Mount
Everest (8,848 m). Apart from the mountains, deep gorges, river valleys and the flat
lands it provides a unique assemblage of very different habitats and a great biodiversity
within a small geographical area. The 147 181 km that make up Nepal is
slightly less than 0.1% of the global land mass, but contains a disproportionately
large diversity of plants and animals. The country’s 118 ecosystems harbor over
2% of the flowering plants, 3% of the pteridophytes and 6% of the bryophytes in the
world’s flora. Similarly, the country harbors 3.9% of the mammals, 8.9% of the
birds and 3.7% of the world’s fauna of butterflies .
Nepal’s rich biodiversity reflects its unique geographic position and variation in altitude and climate.
Biogeographically, Nepal lies in the transitional zone between two
biogeographical realms: the Palaearctic in the north and the Palaeotropic in the south
(Udvardy 1975). Additionally, the country is situated at the confluence of the west Himalayan
and east Himalayan floristic provinces and surrounded by six floristic.

Biological invasion.
Biological invasions are one of the main components of global change. Through
mechanisms such as predation, hybridization or competition, invasive species are a
major cause of biodiversity loss, alteration of ecosystems, and biotic homogenization. In
addition, they have a strong impact on the health and economy of human societies. At
the same time, invasive species provide unique opportunities to understand major
evolutionary and ecological processes due to their ability to adapt to new environments
and successfully compete with native species. Invasions are dominated by human-
aided dispersal, where global trade can move species across continents and ocean
basins in days or even hours. Transportation and the movement of organisms by
humans—both intentional and unintentional—has greatly accelerated the baseline rate
of invasions for marine, freshwater and terrestrial habitats throughout the world,
allowing many species transfers that would never occur otherwise. From the poles to
the equator, no global !region is immune to human-mediated invasions. These invasions
are strongly affecting process within populations, processes.

Threats to biodiversity.

Climate change
Changes in climate throughout our planet's history have, of course, altered life on Earth
in the long run — ecosystems have come and gone and species routinely go extinct.

But rapid, manmade climate change speeds up the process, without affording
ecosystems and species the time to adapt. For example, rising ocean temperatures and
diminishing Arctic sea ice affects marine biodiversity and can shift vegetation zones,
having global implications.

Overall, climate is a major factor in the distribution of species across the globe; climate
change forces them to adjust. But many are not able to cope, causing them to die out.
What can we do? Individuals can take various steps to fight climate change, such as
reducing their carbon footprints, promoting education and contacting elected officials.
International governments and cities can lead the charge, however, and the 2015
United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris will hopefully be a turning point.

2. Deforestation and habitat loss

Deforestation is a direct cause of extinction and loss of biodiversity. An estimated 18
million acres of forest are lost each year, due in part to logging and other human
practices, destroying the ecosystems on which many species depend. Tropical
rainforests in particular, such as the Amazon, hold a high percentage of the world's
known species, yet the regions themselves are in decline due to humans.

What can we do? The solutions to deforestation mostly lie in policy — companies and
corporations can adopt best practices and refuse to use timber and paper suppliers that
contribute to deforestation. In the same vein, conscious consumers can refuse to
patronize companies that do, and put pressure on retailers that employ unsustainable
manufacturing methods. Individuals can also participate in land preservation through
charities and private corporations. Ultimately, however, international governments need
to enact stronger, scientific forest protection laws.

3. Overexploitation
Overhunting, overfishing and over-harvesting contribute greatly to the loss of
biodiversity, killing off numerous species over the past several hundred years. Poaching
and other forms of hunting for profit increase the risk of extinction; the extinction of an
apex predator — or, a predator at the top of a food chain — can result in catastrophic
consequences for ecosystems.

What can we do? Conservation and continued awareness surrounding

overexploitation, especially poaching and overfishing, are key. Governments need to
actively enforce rules against such practices, and individuals can be more conscious of
what they eat and purchase. Other solutions, such as removing subsidies granted to
large-scale fisheries, can help, too.

4. Invasive species
The introduction of non-native species into an ecosystem can threaten endemic wildlife
(either as predators or competing for resources), affect human health and upset
economies.

What can we do? According to the National Wildlife Federation, solutions include
creating systems to prevent introduction of invasive species in the first place effectively
monitoring for new infestations and swiftly eradication newly detected invaders. Some
scientists use more creative means, such as Google Street View.
5. Pollution
From the burning of fossil fuels (releasing dangerous chemicals into the atmosphere
and, in some cases, depleting ozone levels) to dumping 19 billion pounds of plastic into
the ocean every year, pollution completely disrupts the Earth's ecosystems. While it
may not necessarily cause extinction, pollutants do have the potential to influents
species' habits.

For example, acid rain, which is typically caused by the burning of fossil fuels, can
acidify smaller bodies of water and soil, negatively affecting the species that live there
by changing breeding and feeding habits.

What can we do? The average person can do a number of things to fight atmospheric
and hydrologic pollution, such as recycling, conserving energy at home and using public
transportation. The Environmental Protection Agency has a helpful guide here.

Habitat loss.

Agriculture: Much of the habitat loss from agriculture was done long ago when settlers
converted forests and prairies to cropland. Today, there is increasing pressure to
redevelop conservation lands for high-priced food and biofuel crops.

Land conversion for development: The conversion of lands that once provided
wildlife habitat to housing developments, roads, office parks, strip malls, parking lots
and industrial sites continues, even during the current economic crisis.

Water development: Dams and other water diversions siphon off and disconnect
waters, changing hydrology and water chemistry (when nutrients are not able to flow
downstream). During the dry season, the Colorado River has little to no water in it by
the time it reaches the Sea of Cortez.

Pollution: Freshwater wildlife are most impacted by pollution. Pollutants such as

untreated sewage, mining waste, acid rain, fertilizers and pesticides concentrate in
rivers, lakes and wetlands and eventually end up in estuaries and the food web.
Climate change: The emerging driver of habitat loss is climate change. Wildlife that
need the cool temperatures of high elevations, such as the American pika, may soon
run out of habitat. Coastal wildlife may find their habitat underwater as sea levels rise.
Conclusion
Environmental studies are one of the tools that help every individual to understand the
importance and benefits of preserving the environment. Now a day people tend to ignore the
importance of environment and focuses on their personal benefits by cutting down the trees
and destroying the natural habitat for earning which lead to global warming and climate
change and further it harm human being and the innocent animals (biotic and abiotic).

So I as a environmental student I would like to request everybody not to be selfish and destroy
the natural environment but enjoy the benefit in a sustainable ways.