This document discusses biodiversity and its conservation. It defines biodiversity as the variety of life on Earth, which is the result of evolution and shaped by natural processes and human influence. Biodiversity includes genetic diversity within species, between species, and across ecosystems. The challenges to biodiversity include habitat loss, overexploitation, and pollution and climate change caused by human activities. Conserving biodiversity is important as it provides essential goods and services that sustain human lives, such as food, shelter, climate stabilization, and cultural benefits. Efforts to conserve biodiversity include using and exchanging conservation techniques between organizations, education and training programs, and global targets like reducing biodiversity loss by 2010.

1. Biodiversity and Its Conservation
Dr. D. K. Paul
P. G. Dept. of Zoology
Patna University, Patna, Bihar
and
Chiranjeev Kumar
M. Sc., Environment Management, FRI, Dehradun

3. THE BIODIVERSITYTHE BIODIVERSITY
Biological diversity - or biodiversity - isBiological diversity - or biodiversity - is
the term given to the variety of life onthe term given to the variety of life on
Earth. It is the result of billions of yearsEarth. It is the result of billions of years
of evolution, shaped by naturalof evolution, shaped by natural
processes and, increasingly, by theprocesses and, increasingly, by the
influence of humans.influence of humans.
It forms the web of life of which we areIt forms the web of life of which we are
an integral part and upon which we soan integral part and upon which we so
fully depend.fully depend.

4. BIODIVERSITY IS …BIODIVERSITY IS …
1)1)Variety of speciesVariety of species
2)2)Genetic differencesGenetic differences
3)3)Variety of ecosystemsVariety of ecosystems

5. Biodiversity:
Sps. Diversity

6. 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.

7. Threats to biodiversity
• Habitat loss
• Over-exploitation
• Pollution and
climate change

8. The Biological Diversity

9. Biodiversity Conservation:
Common Challenges

10. BIODIVERSITY IS IMPORTANTBIODIVERSITY 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 sustainproviding the goods and services that sustain
our lives including:our lives including:
• Provision of shelter and building materialsProvision of shelter and building materials
• Stabilization and moderation ofStabilization and moderation of
the Earth's climatethe Earth's climate
• Purification of air and waterPurification of air and water
• Provision of food, fuel and fibreProvision of food, fuel and fibre
• Cultural and aesthetic benefitsCultural and aesthetic benefits

11. Biodiversity Help to Providing: Ecosystem
services
• Provide:
–goods
–ecosystem functions
–aesthetic and cultural
values
• High global value
• Cost of loss greatly exceeds
benefits

12. Global Strategy for Plant
Conservation
• Targets for:
– understanding and documenting
plant diversity
– conserving plant diversity
– sustainable use
– education
– capacity building

13. Biodiversity Conservation through:
Use & Exchange of Techniques
Propagation
protocols
Reintroduction of
programmes
Exchange of
techniques
Use Traditional
Knowledge

14. Biodiversity Conservation through:
Education/Training
Training
courses &
workshops
Higher
education
Sharing photos
& education
materials

15. 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’

16. Thank you