Biodiversity

Ravindra Pandey M.Sc. Environmental Science

Unit-2: Biodiversity and its preparation of Report

Background
E.O.Wilson once said about ants we need them to survive, but they dont need us at all. The same, in fact, could be said about countless other insects, bacteria, fungi, plankton, plants, and other organisms. This central truth, however, is largely lost to most of us. Rather, we act as if we were totally independent of Nature, as if it were an infinite source of products and services for our use alone, and an infinite sink for our wastes. What we, human, did since our industrial revolution?  Squandered one fourth of the worlds topsoil and one fifth of agriculture land, one third of its forest  Population increased nearly 7 billion

Unit-2: Biodiversity and its preparation of Report

Background..
Dumped many millions of tons of toxic chemicals onto soils and into fresh water, the oceans, and the air


Changed composition of atmosphere, thinning the ozone layer that filters out harmful ultraviolet radiation, toxic to all living things on land and in surface waters, and increasing the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide to levels not present on Earth for more than 420, 000 years.


Climate change : increasingly threaten our health, and survival of other species worldwide.


Unit-2: Biodiversity and its preparation of Report

Greenhouse gases

Carbon dioxide
Nitrous oxide Methane

Water
Sulfur hexafluoride

Background
Consumption scenario: We are consuming half of all the planets net photosynthetic production on land and more than half of its available fresh water


Most disturbing to all, we are so damaging the habitats in which other species live we are driving them to extinction.


Two thirds of all species on Earth could be lost by the end of this century, a proportion of species that matches the great extinction event , 65 million years ago, that wiped out the dinosaurs.


Unit-2: Biodiversity and its preparation of Report

Background
We have done all these things, our species, Home sapiens sapiens, one species out of perhaps ten million or more, and a very young species at that, having evolved only about 130,000 years ago, behaving as if these alterations were happening someplace other than where we live, as if they had no effect on us whatsoever.


That means, We, the humans, are hampering biodiversity Biodiversity???

Unit-2: Biodiversity and its preparation of Report

What is biodiversity?


The word biodiversity is short form of biological diversity. Biological diversity refers to variety within the living world. Biodiversity is the variety of life- its ecosystems, species, populations, and genes. At its simplest, biodiversity is synonymous with species richness (the number of species present in a defined geographical unit). Biodiversity, though, can also be viewed at scales smaller and larger than the species. Gene Species Ecosystem
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Unit-2: Biodiversity and its preparation of Report

Definition
Biodiversity defined as the richness and the variety of living thing from all sources including terrestrial, marine and fresh water ecosystem & ecological complex of which they are part, this includes within species, between species and ecosystem.

Unit-2: Biodiversity and its preparation of Report

Level (Types) of biodiversity

1) Genetic diversity Genes are the fundamental units of heredity which are passed from an organism to its offspring. Genes, either individually or in groups contribute many different attributes to an organism such as its physical appearance (brown eyes or dark hair), its ability to resist certain insects, or survive drought. Genetic diversity refers to variation of genes and genomes within living organisms, i.e., the genetic differences among population of a single species and among individuals within a population.
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It also covers distinct population of the same species such as hundreds of traditional variety of rice in Nepal Since the study of genetic diversity requires much sophisticated techniques & instruments, very little and fragmentary work has been done so far in Nepal Study of genetic diversity is important for production of antibiotic, micronutrients, production of resistant crops to specific disease, production of anti-cancer agents, hormones, insulin, muscle relaxants, vaccines etc. ?? (Mutation) resistance has been developed by mosquito & other vectors and bacteria to climate, pesticides and antibiotic

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Species diversity


A group of organisms that are sufficiently similar morphologically, physiologically & genetically are grouped together to form a species Examples: Panthera tigiris, Mangifera indica, Homo sapience sapience

Species diversity refers to the frequency and variety of species within a geographical area

Species are principle agent in governing biological diversity

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Species diversity


The total number of species in the world has been estimated to range from 5 to 30 million, out of which approximately 1.5 million have been described.

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Species diversity..


There are different way to describe species diversity One often used way to measure species diversity is species richness, which gives the total number of species within a particular area or geographical area

Species diversity in natural habitats is high in areas of high rainfall and lower in drier areas.

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Species diversity..
The richest areas are tropical rain forest, which cover about 7% of the worlds land area & contain 90% of all species.  Equatorial belt: Amazon, Central America, Madagascar, Malaysia, Laos

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Ecosystem diversity


An ecosystem comprise a dynamic complex of plant animal and microorganism communities and their non-living environment, which interact as a functional unit.

Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of habitat, dynamic complexes of plant, animal and microorganisms communities & their non living environment which interact as functional unit and their change over time.

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Ecosystem diversity..


Ecologists have identified 118 types of ecosystems in Nepal.

This may involve assessment of the relative abundance of different species as well as consideration of the types of species.

Examples of these ecosystem are : terrestrial ecosystem, marine ecosystem, aquatic ecosystem, ecosystem in forest, land

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Ecosystem diversity..

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Biodiversity in Nepal


Nepals biodiversity is a reflection of its unique geographical position & vast altitudinal & climatic variation

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Biodiversity in Nepal..
Area of Nepal: 147,181 sq km (56,827 sq mi) Area (under Protected Areas) 28585.67 sq km (19.42% of total land cover) Number of Protected Areas: National Park: 9 Wildlife Reserve: 3 Conservation Area: 3 Hunting Reserve: 1 Buffer Zone: 9

Share of Bio-resources: Amphibians: 1.0% Birds: 9.3% Reptiles: 1.6% Mammals: 4.5%

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Biodiversity in Nepal..


Those ecosystem, species & biological resources which are indigenous as well as endemic & which together give Nepal its distinct & unique ecological character are paramount in the protection and management of Nepal's biodiversity. Although, relatively in small area,118 types of ecosystem have been identified in different geographical regions of Nepal There are 52 ecosystem in middle mountains followed by 38 in high land. Nepal represents over 2% of flowering plants, 3% of pteridophytes and 5 % bryophytes of the worlds flora. Of them 248 species of lower plant; 246 species of higher plants are endemic to Nepal.
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Biodiversity in Nepal..


In view of the species diversity in wild habitat, Nepal occupies 25th global position Nepal is also rich in wild animals, about 4.5% of world mammals are reported in Nepal Likewise, birds richness in Nepal compared to global species diversity is reported over 9.3%. Out of the total species reported so far, 8 species of fish, 29 species of butterflies, 9 species of amphibians, 118 species of spider, 2 of birds 1 mammal is endemic to Nepal.

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Biodiversity in Nepal..
 

Endemic mammal: Himalayan field mouse (Apodemus gurkha) which is found in central Nepal between 2200-3600m Endemic birds: Spiny Babbler (Turdoides nipalensis) and Nepal Kalij (Lophura leucomelanos leucomelanos)

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Biodiversity in Nepal..


However, 11 species of birds & 3 species of mammals are believed to be extinct from Nepal Due to climatic variation, rugged topography, & undulating landscape of Nepal is recognized to ecosystem to species diversity. Species richness has been the characteristics of the microclimatic variation and other ecological factors. Biologic species establish symbolic relationships with other resources and contribute to protect natural resources.

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Importance of biodiversity..
The value of biodiversity can be grouped as the following categories 1) Resource value It provides the material basis for life such as food, fiber, medicine & raw material for industry. It also provide genes for breeding improved varieties . Similarly local cultivators of crop & local bread of animals also provide genes better suited to local environmental condition.

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Importance of biodiversity..
The

air we breathe is a product of photosynthesis by green plants.

Insects, worms, bacteria, and other tiny organisms break down wastes and aid in the decomposition of dead plants and animals to enrich soils.


than 90 percent of the calories consumed by people worldwide are produced from 80 plant species. 30 percent of medicines are developed from plants and animals, and many more are derived from these sources.
Almost

More

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Important of biodiversity..
2) Functional use It plays important role in the maintenance of biosphere which is a state supportive to human life. It provides many ecosystem services to human being such as watershed regulation & stabilization of soil, recycling of important elements like carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen. It also regulate the chemistry of the atmosphere, global climate, water cycle and soil quality.

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Important of biodiversity..

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Importance of biodiversity
3) Aesthetic & ethical value Biodiversity is used for appealing beauty, cultural, religious or moral faith is an aspect of non-material value. It also help to increase the economical development of country from tourism by bring in foreign currency, e.g., national parks, conservation areas wild life reserve etc.

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Importance of biodiversity..
Aesthetic values concerns with the mental pleasure and satisfaction to the sense or mind. Ethical values are more related to cultural, religious and moral senses ultimately based on the view that all living creature on the earth are inter related to each other directly or indirectly & all of them have a right of existence.

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Important of biodiversity..
4) Study and research The study and research of various aspect of biodiversity is to be carried out for the economic and social development of human race The accumulated knowledge skill will help in the conservation & promotion of creatures of the earth. Biodiversity is a large area for research

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Major threats or challenges to biodiversity

The threat of ecosystem loss The threat of species loss The threat of loss of genetic loss

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The threat of ecosystem loss

 

Ecosystem loss can be the result of direct or indirect impact of human activities Direct cause include conversion of natural environment (forest, grassland, hill, mountain) to agriculture, horticulture, residential forest or industrial development, road, dams or other physical infrastructure. The greatest threat comes from the need of subsistence farmers to extend their agriculture activity & perception that is best achieved through the conversion of forest & other virgin land

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Threat of ecosystem loss



Ecosystem loss has been appear due to following cause: Habitat loss due to deforestation Threat of rangeland biodiversity: due to increased grazing animals. Threats to protected areas : e.g., grazing, poaching, illegal timber harvesting.

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Threat of ecosystem loss

Threat to wetland biodiversity  Industrial pollution, agricultural runoff water, solid waste pollution  Eutrophication in lake

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The threat of species loss

 

Species loss can be the result of over exploitation of biological resources. Uncontrolled use of forest resources for subsistence like fuel material, timber, shelter, medicine, food etc. Over 75% of the energy resources & over 40% fodder needs are meet through forest resources. A threat to this biological resources is also a threat to social and economical wellbeing of the people

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Threat to species loss



The Nepal Conservation Strategy raised the alarm that if Nepal were to lose its remaining humid tropical forests, an estimated ten species of highly valuable timber trees, six species of fibre trees, six species of edible fruit trees, four species of medicinal herbs and fifty species of other trees and shrubs would be lost forever. In addition, the habitats for 200 species of birds, ten species of mammals and twenty species of reptiles and amphibians would be severely affected Threats to endangered plants and animals are increasing due to the high commercial values in local and international markets for specific plants and animal parts. In Nepal, 56 mammal, 226 bird, 25 reptile, nine amphibian, 35 fish, and 142 butterfly species are threatened with extinction locally.

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Threat of genetic resource loss

The genetic resources of Nepal are in a state of depletion which is primarily due to the destruction of natural habitat, over-grazing, land fragmentationl: limiting the dispersal and re-colonization of rare species such as tigers, commercialisation of agriculture and the expansion of high-yielding crop varieties, indiscriminate use of pesticides, population growth and urbanisation, changes in farmers priorities, and lack of awareness among policy makers and planners about the importance of biodiversity.

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Causal chain analysis of biodiversity loss

Immediate cause
Grazing, grass-cutting and other illegal activities Conversion of forests and wetlands to agriculture land Haphazard (anthropogenic) fire Pollution and environmental degradation Soil erosion

Intermediate cause

Limited land available for the growing human population Inefficient or over-use of land Lack of environmental sensitivity and awareness Ineffective solid and liquid waste management

Root cause

Low level of public information and participation Increase population and incidence of poverty Weak institutional capacity Lack of integrated land and water use planning

Ecological loss
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Causal chain analysis: species loss

Immediate cause Poaching, hunting and other illegal activities Over-collection of medicinal and other plants Replacement of indigenous races with exotic varieties No recovery/rehabilitation plans Competition and other impacts of alien species Destruction of habitat

Intermediate cause

Inadequate active management Inadequate implementation of legislation Subsistence and income needs Lack of environmental awareness and sensitivity

Root cause

Weak in administrative, planning and management capacity Inadequate data and information management High incidence of poverty Low level of public information and participation

Species loss
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Causal chain analysis: genetic resources loss

Immediate cause Alien species promoted over indigenous species Unsustainable agricultural practices Hybridization with alien species

Intermediate cause

Absence of an integrated/co-ordinated approach to management of biological resources Lack of environmental awareness and sensitivity Pressing need for subsistence and/or income generation

Root cause

Lack of policies or strategies for biodiversity conservation Low level of public information and participation High incidence of poverty

Genetic resource loss

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Thank you!!

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