Basics of biodiversity and need for biodiversity conservation. Highly useful for competitive exams like IAS/UPSC/SSC/PSC etc.

1. Biodiversity: Basics
Compiled by Dr. Anoob Razak
[Check http://www.clearias.com for more!]
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2. What’s Inside?
•Biodiversity basics
•Biodiversity Act
•Mega diverse Countries
•Like Minded Mega diverse Countries
•Biodiversity Hotspots
•UPSC previous year questions
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3. BIODIVERSITY
-“Biological Diversity”
-Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (1992) “the variability among living organisms, inter alia, terrestrial, marine, & other aquatic ecosystems & the ecological complexes of which they are part of; this includes diversity within species, between species & of ecosysytems”
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4. -Biological Diversity Act (2002) "biological diversity" means the variability among living organisms from all sources & the ecological complexes of which they are part, and includes diversity within species or between species & of eco sysytems”
-May 22nd –International Day of Biological Diversity
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6. Modes/Types of Biodiversity
Genetic Diversity
Species Diversity
Ecosystem Diversity
Functional Diversity
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7. India- - 2.4 % of the world’s land area - 7 - 8 % of all species - in 10 bio-geographic zones
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9. Megadiverse Country
 among the 17 Megadiverse Countries
Conservation International- an NGO
Criteria -diversity -endemism – 5000 plant species
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10. US, Mexico
Venezuela, Columbia, Equador, Peru, Brazil
D.R.Congo, South Africa, Madagascar
India, China, Malaysia, Philipines, Indonesia
Australia, Papua New Guinea
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11. Like Minded Megadiverse Countries
Cancun Declaration of 2002
US, Australia, Papua New Guinea
Bolivia, Costa Rica, Kenya
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12. Biodiversity Hotspots
1988- Norman Myers 10 tropical forests- ‘Hotspots’ endemism & habitat loss
1989- Conservation International
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13. Hotspot Criteria- a) 1500 species of Vascular Plants as endemics b) lost at least 70% of its original habitat
34 Biodiversity Hotspots
3 in India- 1. Himalaya 2. Western Ghats (and Sri Lanka) 3. Indo – Burma
◦Andaman & Nicobar Islands
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15. Civil Service Preliminary 2010
 Q) Consider the following statements: 1. Biodiversity hotspots are located only in tropical regions. 2. India has four bio-diversity hotspots i.e. Eastern Himalayas, Western Himalayas, Western Ghats and Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a)1 only
b)2 only
c)Both 1 & 2
d)Neither 1 or 2
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16. Civil Service Preliminary 2011
Q) Three of the following criteria have contributed to the recognition of Western Ghats, Sri Lanka & Indo Burma as hotspots of Biodiversity: 1. Species Richness 2. Vegetation density 3. Endemism 4.Ethno-Botanical importance 5. Threat Perception 6. Adaptation of flora & fauna to warm & humid conditions which three of the above are correct criteria in this context?
a) 1, 2 & 6 b) 2, 4 & 6 c) 1, 3 & 5 d) 3, 4,& 6
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17. Services/ Value of Biodiversity
a) Ecosystem Services
b) Biological Resources of Economic Importance
c) Social Benefits
d) Research, Education & Monitoring
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18. Civil Service Preliminary 2011
 Q) Biodiversity forms the basis for human existence in the following ways: 1. Soil Formation 2. Prevention of Soil Erosion 3. Recycling of Waste 4. Pollination of Crops
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
a)1, 2 & 4
b)2, 3 & 4
c)1 & 4
d)1, 2, 3 & 4
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19. Causes of Biodiversity Depletion
a) Natural Causes
b) Man-Made - direct - indirect
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20. Main Causes
◦Habitat destruction/fragmentation
◦Pollution
◦Introduction of Exotic Species
◦Population Overgrowth
◦Hunting for Commercial Exploitation
◦Hunting for Sport
◦Agriculture
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21. Civil Service Preliminary 2012
 Q) Which of the following can be threats to the biodiversity of a geographical area? 1. Global Warming 2. Fragmentation of Habitat 3. Invasion of Alien Species 4. Promotion of Vegetarianism
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: a) 1, 2 & 3 b) 2 & 3 c) 1 & 4 d) 1, 2, 3 & 4
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22. Biodiversity-related Conventions
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (International Seed Treaty)
Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention)
World Heritage Convention (WHC)
Source : www.cbd.int/brc/
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23. Conservation
In situ (on – site)
within their natural habitat
National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserves, Tiger Reserves
Ex situ ( off – site)
outside their natural habitat
Botanical Garden Zoo Gene Bank Seed Bank Cryopreservation
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24. Civil Service Preliminary 2011
Q) Which one of the following is not a site for in-situ conservation of flora?
a)Biosphere Reserve
b)Botanical Garden
c)National Park
d)Wildlife Sanctuary
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25. Protected Areas
IUCN
“A clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated & managed through legal or other effective means to achieve long term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services & cultural values”
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26. 1 a - Strict Nature Reserve
1 b - Wilderness Area
II – National Park
III – Natural Monument
IV – Habitat/Species Management
V – Protected Landscape/Seascape
VI – Protected Area with Sustainable Use of Resources
highest
lowest
IUCN Protected Area Categorization
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27. National Park - Category II
Wildlife Sanctuary - Category IV
Biosphere Reserve - Category V
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28. Protected Area Network in INDIA
Emperor Ashoka
Sacred Spaces/Groves
1887- Wild Birds Protection Act
1912- Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act
1936- Hailey National Park
1972- Wild Life (Protection) Act
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29. forest & wildlife in the Concurrent list
The Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976.
◦DPSP - Article 48 A
“The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country”
◦Fundamental Duty - Article 51 A (g)
“it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures”
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30. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
◦National Park & Wild Life Sanctuary
The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002
◦Conservation Reserve & Community Reserve
The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006
◦Tiger Reserve
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
◦Critical Wildlife Habitat (within existing protected areas)
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31. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
◦empowers the state government to declare an area National Park or Wildlife sanctuary
National Park > 100
Wild Life Sanctuary > 500
◦Among those, 43 are tiger reserves managed by NTCA
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32. NP vs WLS
Vesting of rights
Removal or exploitation of wildlife or forest produce
Grazing
Permanent residents
◦Nat. Board for Wildlife recommendation required
•Certain
State Board for Wildlife recommendation
Regulated/ prohibited by Chief Wildlife Warden
Maybe allowed to continue, but bound to perform certain duties
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33. Biosphere Reserves
UNESCO-
Man and Biosphere (MAB) Program
◦1971
◦Inter - Governmental Scientific Program
 functions
◦a) conservation
◦b) sustainable economic development
◦b) logistic support
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34. Biosphere Reserves Zonation
◦Core
◦Buffer
◦Transition
621 Biosphere Reserves – 117 countries
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35. Thank You!
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