UNIT 6

Protection of Biological
Diversity
INTRODUCTION
• Biodiversity: Biodiversity generally refers to the variety and variability of
life on Earth. According to the United Nations Environment Programme,
biodiversity typically measures variation at the genetic, species, and
ecosystem level.
• ECOSYSTEM: An ecosystem is a community made up of living organisms
and nonliving components such as air, water, and mineral soil. Ecosystems
can be studied in two different ways. They can be thought of as
interdependent collections of plants and animals, or as structured systems
and communities governed by general rules.
• ENVIRONMENT: Environment is everything that is around us. It can be
living or non-living things. It includes physical, chemical and other natural
forces. Living things live in their environment. They constantly interact with
it and adapt themselves to conditions in their environment.
Range of India’s Biodiversity
• Biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular
habitat.
• India is a recognized as one of the mega-diverse countries, rich in biodiversity
and associated traditional knowledge.
• India has 23.39% of its geographical area under forest and tree cover.
• With just 2.4% of the land area, India accounts for nearly 7% of the recorded
species even while supporting almost 18% of human population.
• In terms of species richness, India ranks seventh in mammals, ninth in birds and
fifth in reptiles.
• In terms of endemism of vertebrate groups, India’s position is tenth in birds with
69 species, fifth in reptiles with 156 species and seventh in amphibians with 110
species.
• India’s share of crops is 44% as compared to the world average of 11%.
• India Represents
• Two ‘Realms’
• Five Biomes
• Ten Bio-geographic Zones
• Twenty five Bio-geographic provinces
• Realms
• Biogeographic realms are large spatial regions within which ecosystems share a broadly similar biota.
• Realm is a continent or sub-continent sized area with unifying features of geography and fauna & flora.
• The Indian region is composed of two realms. They are:
• the Himalayan region represented by Palearctic Realm and
• the rest of the sub-continent represented by Malayan Realm
• In world Eight terrestrial biogeographic realms are typically recognized. They are
• Nearctic Realm, Palaearctic Realm, Africotropical Realm, Indomalayan Realm, Ocenaia Realm, Australian
Realm, Antarctic Realm,Neotropical Realm
Biomes of India
• The term biome means the main groups of plants and animals living in
areas of certain climate patterns.
• It includes the way in which animals, vegetation and soil interact together.
The plants and animals of that area have adapted to that environment.
• The five biomes of India are:
• Tropical Humid Forests
• Tropical Dry or Deciduous Forests (including Monsoon Forests)
• Warm deserts and semi-deserts
• Coniferous forests and
• Alpine meadows.
Bio-geographic Zones
• Biogeography deals with the geographical distribution of plants and
animals.
• Biogeographic zones were used as a basis for planning wildlife protected
areas in India.
• There are 10 biogeographic zones which are distinguished clearly in India
• They are Himalayas, Deserts, Western Ghats, Island, Plateau etc.
• Bio-geographic provinces
• Bio-geographic Province is a ecosystematic or biotic subdivision of realms.
Example of some of geographic provision is shown in next page:
Ecosystem of India
• Terrestrial ecosystem :The Himalayas, extending over 2500 km, cover the northern border of India. It is divided into Western,
Central and Eastern Himalayas.
• The Western Himalayas are located in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh. Nepal and the Indian state of
Uttarakhand house the Central Himalayas.
• The Eastern Himalayas cover northern parts of the West Bengal and extend into Sikkim, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Himadri, Himachal and Shivaliks are the three parallel mountains ranges of Himalayas.
• The Himadri range, also known as the Greater Himalayas is the northern most range.
• The world's highest mountain peak, Mount Everest (8848 metres) in Nepal, belongs to the Greater Himalayas.
• Kanchenjunga (8598 metres), Nanga Parbat (8126 metres) and Nanda Devi (7817 metres) are the highest peaks of the Greater
Himalayas in India.
• The Himachal range, also known as the Middle or the Lesser Himalayas lie on the south of the Himadri.
• Jelep La, Shipki La, Nathu La and Bomdi La etc. are some of the important passes in the Himalayas.
• Poorvanchal mountains are located on the north-eastern side of India. They consist of the Patkai Bum and the Naga Hills in the
north; Mizo and Lushai Hills in the south, and the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills in the centre.
Aquatic ecosystem
• Corals are considered to be a separate ecosystem, even though they are located
within the ocean.
• Most people mistake corals for plants, even though they are animals that are
related to jellyfish.
• Coral reefs are found all around the world in tropical and subtropical oceans.
• Corals can be classified into fringing reefs, barrier reefs and atolls.
• Fringing reefs grow in shallow waters.
• Barrier reefs grow parallel to coasts, but are separated from land by a lagoon.
• Barrier reefs can grow in fairly deep water.
• In India, major coral reefs are found in Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kachchh, Andaman
and Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.
• Fringing reefs are found in Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay.
Biosphere reserves
• Biosphere reserves are areas comprising terrestrial, marine and
coastal ecosystems. Each reserve promotes solutions reconciling the
conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.
• Biosphere reserves are ‘Science for Sustainability support sites’ –
special places for testing interdisciplinary approaches to
understanding and managing changes and interactions between
social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and
management of biodiversity.
• Biosphere reserves are nominated by national governments and
remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are
located. Their status is internationally recognized.
Three zones, one biosphere reserve!
• Biosphere reserves have three interrelated zones that aim to fulfil
three complementary and mutually reinforcing functions:
• The core area(s) comprises a strictly protected ecosystem that
contributes to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species
and genetic variation.
• The buffer zone surrounds or adjoins the core areas, and is used for
activities compatible with sound ecological practices that can
reinforce scientific research, monitoring, training and education.
• The transition area is the part of the reserve where the greatest
activity is allowed, fostering economic and human development that
is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
• Extinction of species and gradual changes in ecological communities, is a natural
phenomena. However, the pace of extinction has increased dramatically as a
result of human activities.
• Ecosystems are being fragmented or eliminated, and several species are in
decline.
• The fragmentation, degradation, and loss of habitats pose serious threat to
biological diversity.
• These losses are irreversible and pose a threat to our own well being, considering
our dependence on food crop and medicines and other biological resources.
• Global concern about loss of species and ecosystems found expression in the
International Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
• The CBD, one of the key agreements adopted during the Earth Summit held in Rio
de Janeiro in 1992, is the first comprehensive global agreement which addresses
all aspects relating to biodiversity.
 CBD
• The CBD, which has near universal membership 193 countries as its Parties, sets
out commitments for maintaining the world's ecological underpinnings, while
pursuing economic development. India is a Party to the CBD.
• The Convention, while reaffirming sovereign rights of nations over their biological
resources, establishes three main goals: the conservation of biological diversity,
the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the
benefits from the use of genetic resources.
• A Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit sharing (ABS) was adopted in 2010 after
six years of intense negotiations under the aegis of CBD to further develop the
ABS framework provided by the Convention.
• India has made significant positive contributions in these negotiations. The
objective of this Protocol is the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from
the utilization of genetic resources.
.
 CBD

• The Protocol has entered into force on 12th October 2014. India
signed the Protocol on 11th May 2011, and ratified it on 9th October,
2012.
• CoP-10 to the CBD in October 2010 had adopted a Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity for 2011-2020, with five goals and 20 Aichi Targets, as an
ambitious plan developed with the purpose of inspiring broad-based
action in support of biodiversity over the decade by all countries and
stakeholders
Biological Diversity Act, 2002
• National Biodiversity Authority
• Section 8 of the Act sets up the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA- not to be
confused with American basketball!). Which is headquartered in Chennai.
• The NBA is body that comprises of members who are experienced in the field of
environmental conservation, along with members of several government
ministries such as the Ministry dealing with Tribal Affairs, Agricultural Research
Biotechnology, Ocean Development, AYUSH (alternative medicines) etc.
• Chapter IV of the Act lays down the functions of the NBA. Certain persons are not
to be granted access to biological resources without the consent of the NBA.
These persons are:
• Persons not citizens of India
• A company not registered in India, or registered in India but having a significant amount of
foreign control and management.
 Biological Diversity Act 2002

• Activities for which you need permission for under the Act?
• Any foreign company needs permission from the NBA to access and
biological resource or research related to biological resources in India.
• Any export of biological resources outside India.
• The transfer of any Indian research on biological resources outside
India.
• While Indian citizens have free access to India biological resources,
they must seek permission from the NBA if they derive any
commercial benefit from such exploitation such as a patent for an
invention based on biological resources.
 Biological Diversity Act 2002

• Activities for which you do NOT need permission for under the Act?
• Any research for educational purposes, if conducted by Indian
citizens.
• Any research for educational purposes conducted by foreign entities
in collaboration with the Government or recognized Indian
institutions.
• Any traditional practices in agriculture, horticulture, animal
husbandry from which commercial benefit is derived. The Act aims to
protect and allow for free access and transfer of traditional
knowledge within the country.
 Marine biodiversity
• Marine biodiversity is important to protect because today, just as
always, humans are dependent on the Earth's resources for their
livelihood, health and well being .
• Efforts have been made to conserve the incredible biodiversity that
exists in the country.
• In addition to seasonal closures and catch limits on some fishery
products, many national parks and marine reserves have been
established in an effort to protect these natural areas.
• Having diverse ecosystems makes organisms and systems more
resilient to changes
 Benefits of Ecosystem

• Ecosystems that are more resistant are able to then continue to provide
the following benefits:
• Protection of water resources (e.g. Mangrove forests trap silt)
• Nutrient Storage and Cycling
• Pollution Breakdown and Absorption
• Contributes to Climactic Stability
• Recovery from unpredictable events (e.g. hurricanes)
• Food
• Medicinal Resources
• Recreation
 Flora and Fauna biodiversity
• Flora is the name given to the collective plant life that grows or once grew in a certain area
or during a given time period.
• Fauna on the other hand, is the name given to collective animal life that lives or was once
found in a certain area or time period.
• Importance of Flora and Fauna
• Maintains ecological balance
• Without flora and fauna, humans cannot exist.
• The flora generates and releases oxygen, which is needed by the fauna for respiratory
purposes.
• In return, the fauna produces and releases carbon dioxide, which is needed by the flora
for photosynthesis.
• It’s a symbiotic kind of relationship.
• In the same line, humans cannot get by without both flora and fauna.
• The oxygen that we breathe in comes from the flora, and the carbon dioxide we exhale is
vital for the flora.
Flora and Fauna biodiversity
• Aesthetic value
• It’s a no-brainer that humans love and appreciate nature.
• Many like spending time in outdoor settings such as forests, natural areas, parks
and other green spaces because of their aesthetic value.
• This aesthetic value is mainly contributed by spread of flora and fauna.
• Expands local economies
• Flora and fauna contribute mightily to most world economies regarding tourism.
• For example, flora and fauna of Amazon attract numerous scientists and
explorers.
• It’s estimated that the Amazon rainforest contributes about $50 million dollars to
the Brazil economy.
• Exotic vacation locations like the Caribbean, Bahamas, Panama, Indonesia and so
on attract more tourists than any country due to the widespread flora and fauna.
Examples of Flora
• Manchineel tree
• It’s a flora that falls under the species of flowering plants in the spurge family.
• It originates in northern South America and southern North America.
• It bears grapes that can result in rashes if you’re wet.
• It’s not advisable to shelter under it when it rains since it produces milk that
causes burns and blisters.
• Giant redwood trees
• We are used to the typical trees growing in our city parks or neighborhoods.
Some species of fauna exist that grow to astronomical heights.
• The Giant redwood tree is a classic example.
• This kind of tree is considered the largest and tallest on earth.
• In fact, one specimen registered well above 350 feet tall.
 Examples of Flora
• Nepenthes
• Giant redwood trees and Machineel tree are photosynthetic; which
means they manufacture their own food from the sun rays.
• However, other kinds of flora take a lot more proactive approach to
developing their own food.
• Nepenthe is a typical example.
• It’s classified under the family of pitcher plants and originates from
the jungles of Borneo
Examples of Fauna
• Coral reefs are the eye-catching colored landscapes beneath the ocean
surface.
• On sight, you might think they are plants, but they are animal species
constituting the fauna of the ocean.
• Corals are immobile animals, and so they feed by picking out prey that
swims by, for example, the zooplankton
• Southern Toadlet
• This animal species features an olive to dark brown body and wrapped with
many small warts over its body.
• It also has a black and white marbled look around its belly.
• The Southern Toadlet thrives in damp habitats such as drainage lines,
woodlands, scrubland, dry forests, and grassland