biodiversity

3. refers to variations of life forms. It
is the variations among animals,
plants and microorganisms. It is
the totality of genes, species and
ecosystem of a region.

4. Biodiversity (“bio” meaning life +“diversity” meaning
variety)
is a term used to encompass all the variability found in
living organisms in terrestrial and aquatic systems. The
variability among genomes of individuals, among
populations of individuals within the same species, among
species within a community, or among communities within a
landscape can all be analyzed and may be linked to
ecosystem services (Diaz et al., 2006).

5. The term 'biodiversity' was first used by Dasmann in 1968. There
are three levels of biodiversity - genetic, species and ecosystem
diversity.
Genetic diversity is the variety of genes within a species.
Species diversity
is the variety of species within a habitat
or a region.
Ecosystem diversity
is the variety of ecosystems present in a
geographical area .

6. is a geographic area where
plants, animals, and other
organisms, as well as
weather and landscapes,
work together to from a
bubble of life.

7. produce a rich array of benefits that people
depend on – these benefits are called
“ecosystem services”.

8. Biodiversity plays an important role in the way ecosystems function
and in the many services they provide. These services include
nutrients and water cycling, soil formation and retention, resistance
against invasive species, pollination of plants, regulation of climate,
as well as pest and pollution control by ecosystems. Biodiversity is
also the source of non-material benefits like spiritual and aesthetic
values, knowledge system, culture diversity and spiritual inspiration.

10. Estimated Total
Number of Species
3 million
to 100
million
In which out of it only
1,435,662 species are
identified all over the
world.

11. India is a mega diversity nation due to
its rich floral and faunal wealth, with
45,000 plant species and twice as many
animal species. India has only 2.4% of
the world’s land area, but it has 8.1% of
the world’s species diversity, making it
one of the world’s 12 mega diversity
countries.

12. In the recent time there has been a great loss to the
biodiversity which has posed a serious threat to the survival of
mankind. Human activities have increased the extinction rate by at
least 100 times compared to the natural rate. Biodiversity is declining
rapidly due to natural or human-induced factors. Natural or human-
induced factors that directly or indirectly cause a change in
biodiversity are referred to as drivers.

13. Direct drivers influence ecosystem processes
and include land use change, climate change,
invasive species, overexploitation, and
pollution.

14. Indirect drivers, operate more diffusely, by altering
one or more direct drivers.
Five Indirect drivers of changes in ecosystem:
• population change
• change in economic activity
• sociopolitical factors
• cultural factors
• technological change

15. Environmental change is one of the main
causes of biodiversity loss.
Environmental conditions play a key role in
defining the function and distribution of
organisms, in combination with other factors.
Environmental changes have had enormous
impacts on biodiversity patterns in the past
and will remain one of the major drivers of
biodiversity patterns in the future.

16. Environmental changes are studied under the change or due to:
• Climate change
• Pollution (air, water, soil)
• Overpopulation
• overexploitation of the natural resources
• Deforestation

17. Climate change show significant impact on biodiversity
and ecosystems. It is expected to exacerbate risks of
extinctions, floods, droughts, population declines, and
disease outbreaks. By the end of the century, climate
change and its impacts may become the main direct driver
of overall biodiversity loss

19. Scientists have assessed more than 47 000 species and found
that 36 percent of these are threatened with extinction, the state
whereby no live individuals of a species remain. In addition,
extinction rates are estimated to be between 50 and 500 times
higher than those observed from fossil records or the so-called
“background rate”. However, unlike past extinction events, which
were caused by natural disasters and planetary changes, this one is
being driven by human actions or human activities.

20. Habitat loss occurs when
natural environments are
transformed or modified to
serve human needs. It is the
most significant cause of
biodiversity loss globally.

21. Climate change, which is caused by
a build-up of greenhouse gases such
as carbon dioxide in the Earth’s
atmosphere. Climate change alters
the climate patterns and ecosystems
in which species have evolved and
on which they depend.

22. Overexploitation or unsustainable
use happens when biodiversity is
removed faster than it can be
replenished and, over the long
term or using too much of the
natural resources.

23. Invasive alien species (IAS) or species that
have spread outside of their natural habitat and
threaten biodiversity in their new area. It refers to
plants, animals, pathogens and other organism
that are non-native to an ecosystem, and which
may cause economic or environmental harm or
adversely affect human health.

24. Pollution in water, air, or land is a
threat to biodiversity. Toxic synthetic
chemicals and products enter
ecosystems, which has led to the
extinction of animal and plant
species.

26. refers to the decline or disappearance of biological
diversity. Biodiversity has declined at an alarming
rate in recent years, largely as a result of human
activity.

27. Biodiversity loss can have a
significant impacts on human health
and survival. If the ecosystem can no
longer provide human society with
adequate services or products, there
will be substantial effects to the
human population in many ways.

28. Extinction of species The
alteration and destruction of
habitats puts thousands of
species in danger or
extinction.

29. Threats to human beings.
Endangers human well-being
by affecting soil and water,
which are fundamental to
food production.

30. Proliferation of pests.
For example, imbalances
in ecosystems can lead to
the emergence of pests
that damage crops.

31. Food production
Impacts food production
by decreasing the nutrient
level of the food and the
growth of food crops.

32. Spread of Disease. Causes
degradation of the ecosystem,
which leads to exposure to
disease in animals, plants, and
human beings.
Spread of Disease. Causes
degradation of the ecosystem,
which leads to exposure to
disease in animals, plants, and
human beings.

33. Loss of Habitat. Biodiversity
loss may cause loss of
habitats for many species
that may lead to extinction of
many species.

34. Increase in CO2 emissions.
The capacity of forest and
oceans to absorbs CO2
decreases if ecosystems are
adversely affected.

35. Natural Disaster. Can form an
unsustainable ecosystem which
can lead to the occurrence of
natural disaster like floods,
droughts, and forest fire.

37. According to World Health Organization,
biodiversity plays a crucial role in human nutrition
through its influence on world food production, as it
ensures the sustainable productivity of soils and
provide the genetic resources for all crops,
livestock, and marine species harvested for food.

38. • The sustainable use of biodiversity for food and
agriculture provides a range of simultaneous benefits
for human and ecosystem health.
• For the health sector, it is an opportunity to promote
dietary diversity and traditional food cultures, and to
raise levels of nutrition.

39. Many agricultural species rely on
the services of pollinators, which
affect approximately one-third of
the global food supply, and crop
productivity is frequently greater in
areas with a greater diversity of
native bees.

40. • Widespread declines of pollinator species – up to 70% in some
areas – have sometimes been associated with pesticide use, with
potentially critical implications for agricultural productivity, food
security and the functioning of ecosystems.

41. Biodiversity supports food security, dietary health, livelihood
sustainability
Genetic diversity in food system provides the foundation of
crop development and food security, and promotes resistance and
resilience to environmental stresses including pests and diseases of
crops and livestock. Diets based on a diversity of food species
promote health, and can help to protect against disease by
addressing the problem of micronutrient and vitamin deficiencies.

42. Biodiversity provides important resources for medical research
Studies of wildlife anatomy, physiology and biochemistry can
lead to important developments in human medicine. Traditional
medicine continue to play an essential role in health care, especially
in primary health care. However, biodiversity loss can impact on
community tradition and livelihoods centered on traditional medicinal
practices that utilize wild animals and plants, particularly for
indigenous and local communities.

44. We rely on biodiversity to stay healthy.
Biodiversity sustains our food supply, is a
source of medicines, and supports the provision
of clean air and fresh water while also
contributing to economic development, cultural
and spiritual enrichment.

45. Changes to biodiversity can have severe and unpredictable
effects on the health of all living things, including people.
Clearing new land, for example, can bring people into closer
contact with wildlife that may transmit their diseases to
humans and also promote the spread of disease from
humans to animals. It may also reduce populations of
predators that hold disease-carrying organisms in check.

46. 80%
of the World’s population from developing countries rely
mainly on traditional medicines derived from plants
25%
of prescriptions dispensed in United States pharmacies
contained plant extracts or active ingredients derived from
plants.
90%
number of crop varieties has shrunk in the past 50 years,
with 90% of the world’s calories coming from a dozen
crops, people’s diets have been simplified and nutritional
diseases have arisen in part as a result.

47. Biodiversity loss affects all species in the web of life,
including humans, and the vital ecosystems that they
support. Obesity and diabetes, as well as many other
emerging plagues such as mental health ailments,
including depression, can all in part be connected to
biodiversity loss.

49. According
to
World Health
Organization
Environmental health comprises those
aspects of human health, including the
quality of life, that are determined by
physical, chemical, biological, social and
psychosocial factors in the environment. It
also refers to the theory and practice of
assessing; correcting, controlling and
preventing those factors in the
environment that adversely affect the
health of present and future generations.

50. Environment related
issues that affect
our health have
been one of the
most important
triggers in the
increasing
awareness of the
need for better
environmental
management.
• We expect urbanization and industrialization to
bring in prosperity, but on the downside, it leads
to diseases related to overcrowding and poor
quality drinking water, resulting in an increase in
water borne diseases like infective diarrhea and
air-borne bacterial diseases like tuberculosis.
• High density city traffic leads to an increase in
respiratory diseases.

51. • Agriculture pesticides that enhance food supplies during the
green revolution have affected both the farm worker and all
of us who consume the produce.
• Many drugs have been found to have serious side-effects.
Sometimes, the cure is a damaging as the disease process
itself (The World Health Report 2002)

52. 5 children in
developing countries
die from malaria or
diarrhea
Nearly 19,000 people in
developing countries die
from unintentional poisoning,
often as a result of exposure
to toxic chemicals and
pesticides in their work or
home environment
100 more children die
as a result of exposure
to indoor smoke from
solid fuel
Almost 3000 people in
low and middle
income countries die
from road traffic
injuries
Environmental hazards and
related illnesses kills million
globally
Every
minute
Every
hour
Every
day
Every
month
Every
year

57. 1. _________is a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms,
as well as weather and landscapes, work together to from a bubble of life.
2. It is the totality of genes, species and ecosystem of a region. It is the
variations among animals, plants and microorganisms.
3. Give three levels of biodiversity.
4. ________ is a mega diversity nation due to its rich floral and faunal wealth,
with 45,000 plant species and twice as many animal species.
5. According to _____________, biodiversity plays a crucial role in human
nutrition through its influence on world food production, as it ensures the
sustainable productivity of soils and provide the genetic resources for all
crops, livestock, and marine species harvested for food.

58. 6. ________ is one of the main causes of biodiversity loss.
7. ________ operate more diffusely, by altering one or more direct drivers.
8. ________ are species that have spread outside of their natural habitat and
threaten biodiversity in their new area. It refers to plants, animals, pathogens
and other organism that are non-native to an ecosystem, and which may cause
economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health.
9-10. Give atleast 2 Indirect drivers of changes in ecosystem.