This document discusses biodiversity and the threats facing it. It defines biodiversity as including all organisms, species, populations, and their genetic variation. Biodiversity exists at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. The document estimates that there are millions of species but many remain undiscovered. Natural processes can cause extinction, but the current rate is much higher than in the past due to human threats like habitat destruction, overexploitation, invasive species, pollution, climate change and more. India is a megadiverse country facing severe threats and has established protected areas and laws to promote conservation.

1. Life sciences & Environmental Issues

5. Oxford University
Museum of
Natural History

6. Biodiversity is
Short for
Biological
Diversity
The presence of
air and water
makes life
possible on
the earth.

8. How do we Define Biodiversity?
Biodiversity includes all organisms, species,
and populations; the genetic variation among
these; and all their complex assemblages of
communities and ecosystems.communities and ecosystems.
It also refers to the interrelatedness of genes, species, and
ecosystems and their interactions with the environment.
Usually three levels of biodiversity are discussed—
Genetic, Species, and Ecosystem diversity

9. Biodiversity
is studied in three
different levels :
Genetic
SpeciesSpecies
Ecological

10. Genetic diversity
It is the
variation in
Genes in a
particular
Species.
This difference
has given us
beautiful
Butterflies,
Roses etc.

11. Species diversity
It refers to
the variety of
living
organisms on
the Earth

14. Ecosystem diversity
This refers to
the variety
of habitats
which
includesincludes
climate,
vegetation
and
geography of
a region.

17. Genetic diversity is all the different genes
contained in all individual plants, animals,
fungi, and microorganisms.
Species diversity is all the differences within
and between populations of species, as well
as between different species.as between different species.
Ecosystem diversity is all the different habitats,
biological communities, and ecological processes,
as well as variation within individual ecosystems.

18. Just how many species
do we really
have?

19. Global Biodiversity [All figures in thousands]
S.No. TAXA
Species
described
Estimate
[High]
Estimate
[Low]
Working
Figure
1 Viruses 4 1,000 50 400
2 Bacteria 4 3,000 50 1,000
3 Fungi 72 2,700 200 1,500
4 Protozoa & 80 1,200 210 6004 Protozoa &
Algae
80 1,200 210 600
5 Plants 270 500 300 320
6 Nematodes 15 1,000 100 400
7 Insects 950 100,000 2,000 8,000
8 Mollusks 70 200 100 200
9 Chordates 45 55 50 500

20. Global Biodiversity

21. Evolution & Biodiversity?
Natural Processes can put species at risk from Extinction
Logically the species evolve, and are ultimately destined to
die out to extinction. Species with small populations and
with limited ranges are more vulnerable.
Extinction of widespread species is caused followingExtinction of widespread species is caused following
Environmental first strike and favored by stresses
outside normal ranges.
But the current rate of extinction of species is much
higher than that existed in the past.

22. What are the Threats to Biodiversity?
The loss of biodiversity is a significant
issue for scientists and policy-makers and
the topic is finding its way into living
rooms and classrooms. Species arerooms and classrooms. Species are
becoming extinct at the fastest rate
known in geological history and most of
these extinctions have been tied to human
activity

23. MAN-MADE CAUSES
FOR LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY
• Destruction of Habitat
• Pollution• Pollution
• Hunting
• Indiscriminate use of Toxic chemicals
• Genetic Erosion

24. Threats to Biodiversity: Deforestation 1
Usually as a direct result of
human activity and population
growth, is a major force in the
loss of species, populations, and
Habitat loss and destruction:
usually as a direct result of
human activity and
population growth, is a major
force in the loss of species,loss of species, populations, and
ecosystems.
force in the loss of species,
populations, and ecosystems.

25. Threats to Biodiversity 4
The over-exploitation
(over-hunting,
over-fishing, orover-fishing, or
over-collecting)
of a species or
population can
lead to its demise.

26. Threats to Biodiversity 5
Trade in wild life
Timber - 100,000 Billion $
Fisheries - 50,000 Billion $
Mammal Furs - 750 Million $
Ornamental Plants-250Ornamental Plants-250 Mil. $
Edible snails - 460 Million $
Illegal Trade
5 to 8,000 Billion $/Y

27. Industrialisation
Anthropogenic
Threats to Biodiversity 6
Anthropogenic
pollution and
contamination can
affect all levels of
biodiversity.

28. Urbanisation
Developmental
activities Results
in to continued
UrbanizationUrbanization
causing adverse
affects on
Bio Diversity

29. Threats to Biodiversity 2
Alterations in ecosystem composition
such as the loss or decline of a
species, can lead to a loss of
biodiversity.
Elimination of coyotes in theElimination of coyotes in the
canyons of southern California are
linked to decreases in song bird
populations.

30. Threats to Biodiversity 3
The introduction of exotic (non-native)
species can disrupt entire ecosystems and
impact populations of native plants or
animals. These invaders can adverselyanimals. These invaders can adversely
affect native species by eating them,
infecting them, competing with them, or
mating with them.

31. Genetic Erosion

32. Threats to Biodiversity 7
Global Warming induced
Climate change can alter
environmental conditions.
Species and populationsSpecies and populations
may be lost if they are
unable to adapt to new
conditions or relocate.

33. Rate of Extinction of Species
• 90 vertebrate species have become extinct in
every century.
• 1 species of higher plants has become extinct
in every 27 years.
• 75% of birds & mammals have become
extinct in recent years were island dwellingextinct in recent years were island dwelling
species.
• It is estimated that ¼ th world’s biodiversity
is under risk of extinction in next 20-30
years.
• In last 40 yrs, 120 species of mammals & 225
of birds have become extinct in the world.

34. Some Endangered Birds & Animals
• Lesser florican
• Great Indian bustard
• Nilgiri tahr• Nilgiri tahr
• One horned rhino
• Lion-tailed macaque
• Asiatic lion
• Tiger

35. Lesser florican
Saras crain

36. Great Indian bustard

37. Nilgiri tahr

38. One horned rhino

39. Lion-tailed macaque

40. Asiatic lion

41. Tiger

43. Medicine
Ecosystem Services
Biotechnology
Environmental Monitoring
Food & Crop Security
Recreation & Aesthetics
Pets & Domestic animals
Political & Social issues
Ecosystem Security & Resilience

44. Biogeographic region that is both a
significant reservoir of Biodiversitysignificant reservoir of Biodiversity
and is threatened with destruction

47. One of the 12 Mega biodiversity country
Has 02 World’s Biodiversity Hot Spots
8% of World’s Biodiversity
81,000 Animal Species81,000 Animal Species
45,000 Plant Species (6000 endemic)
50% of World’s Tigers
100% Asiatic Lions

48. Environmental Ethos & Concerns are inherent
to Indian Psyche
Our religious scriptures , our customs &
traditions, and code of conduct [Dharma]
are richly entwined with love, concern &
compassion to all the fellow living beingscompassion to all the fellow living beings
with whom we share this beautiful Planet

49. Biodiversity conservation Treaties
Ramsar Convention, 1971 [Wetlands] -146 countries
World Heritage Convention (WHC), 1972
[Cultural & Natural Heritage] -180 countries
Convention on international Trade in endangered
species of Wild flora & Fauna (CITES), 1973species of Wild flora & Fauna (CITES), 1973
[endangered species ] -166 countries
Convention on conservation of Migratory
species of wild animals (CCMS), 1979 & 2005
[Migratory species ] -90 countries
Convention on Law of the Seas (UNCLOS),1971
[Marine Life] -146 countries

50. • Article 48 – A:
• Imposes constitutional obligation on state “ to protect &
improve the natural environment and to safeguard the
forest & wild life of the country”.
• Article 51 – A (g):
• Enjoined a duty on the citizens of India “ to protect &
improve the natural environment and to safeguard the
forest, lakes, rivers & wild life & to have compassion for
living creatures”.

51. 1.Total Land mass - 2973,000 Km2
2.Total Cropland - 1694,610 Km2 [57% Area] Year2000
3.Total Pastures - 118,920 Km2 [04% Area]
4.Total Forest Cover - 641,000 Km2[21% Area] per capita0.07 %
5.Dense Forest - 367,260 Km2 [57.3% Forest Area] Canopy<40%
26. Open Forest - 261,310 Km2 [40.7%Forest Area] Canopy10-40%
7. Mangrove - 4827 Km2 [0.75% Area]
We had in 1947 about 34 % area under forest
Major conflicts are logging for sake of timber and Pulp, and
also the requirements of Fuel wood, Fodder and Agricultural
land to support the deprived Local Tribal Communities which
are often marginalised

53. “ Provides for the protection of wild animals, Birds, and
plants connected therewith or ancillary or incidental
thereto with a view to ensuring the Ecological &
Environmental security of the Country”
Restricts the killing of the Endangered Species, and
Possession & Trade of the Trophies of Wild animals &
Plants. Looks after the Zoo’s Management

55. 87 National Parks - 4.06 Million ha.
485 Wildlife Sanctuaries - 11.54 million ha.
Total protected areas - 15.60 Million ha.
23 Tiger Reserves spread over - 3.3 million ha.23 Tiger Reserves spread over - 3.3 million ha.
12 Biosphere Reserves 780 Forest Divisions
63,618 JFM – 14.09 Million ha.

57. Just a Thought
Dinosaurs & Reptiles 1 year ago
Mammals 8 months ago
Humans evolved 4 hr. ago
This 1 minute is critical in extinction of 100’s of
animals, mortality and morbidity, global warming
and various environmental problems
Humans evolved 4 hr. ago
Agriculture 1 hr. ago
Industrial revolution 1 min. ago

58. When will We Realize?
Till when last river is polluted
Till when last lake is dried-up
Till when last game is hunted down
Till when last tree is chopped off
We will not realize thatWe will not realize that
The money can’t be eaten

59. What do we leave for our children?