This document discusses human impact on biodiversity. It begins with defining biodiversity as the variety of life on Earth, including diversity within and between species and ecosystems. It then outlines threats to biodiversity from habitat loss, pollution, overexploitation, invasive species, and climate change. The document emphasizes that biodiversity provides many benefits to humans through resources like food and medicine, as well as ecological functions. However, biodiversity loss is now occurring rapidly due to human activities. Conservation efforts are needed to protect biodiversity through both on-site and off-site methods.

1. Human Impact on
Biodiversity
Presented by
Dr. B. Victor., Ph. D
Email : bonfiliusvictor@gmail.com
Blog: bonvictor.blogspot.com

2. Presentation outline
Meaning and origin of biodiversity
Earth-Nature-Human relationship
Uniqueness of Biodiversity
Global ratio of biodiversity
What is biodiversity?
Why protect biodiversity?
Benefits of biodiversity
Biodiversity concepts
Biodiversity Threats
Conservation of biodiversity
Biodiversity crisis
Closing thoughts

3. Biodiversity isa contraction
of the Two words:
 "Biological" and "Diversity"

4. The meaning of
Biodiversity
Variety
Of
Life

5. Life on Earth
 Earth is a complex interdependent
system of life forms, habitats and
fluxes (interactions).
 Biodiversity is the life-support system
for our earth.
 The air we breathe , the water we
drink and the food we eat all depend
on the Earth’s rich biodiversity.

8.  Biodiversity is the variety of life on earth.
 Biodiversity is the measure of the
number, variety and variability of living
organisms.
 Biodiversity refers to diversity within
species, between species and among
ecosystems .

9. “The very basis of life on earth is
declining at an alarming rate.”
-General Kofi Annan,
former UN Secretary
Uniqueness of Biodiversity

11. Bio-rich areas on Earth

16. The goods and services of biodiversity are
crucial for human survival and wellbeing.

17. Biodiversity is valuable
Biodiversity provides -food, shelter,
medicine and industrial raw materials.
Biodiversity maintains the health of the
earth and its people.
Biodiversity is an ecological asset to
human beings.
Biodiversity is the ‘living wealth of
the earth’.

20. Biodiversity is under threat
 Biodiversity is a fragile thing, sensitive to all
sorts of threats.
 Biodiversity is under threat globally,
nationally and locally.

21. Why is biodiversity loss a concern?
Biodiversity loss is rapid
and ongoing.
Over the last 50 years
humans have changed
ecosystems faster and
more extensively.
Every year between
17,000 and 100,000
species vanish from our
planet.

22. Cascading or radiating effects of
biodiversity loss
 Since all living things
are interconnected in
their ecosystem,
human impacts have a
cascade effect.
 Removal of a species
shakes the whole web
of life.

23. Global Distribution of
Biodiversity

26. The millennium ecosystem assessment
identified 5 causes of biodiversity
loss

31. Components of Biodiversity

33. st
r
u fu
sp
c n
e
t ct
ci
u io
es
r ns
e
s
Levels of
organization

34. Levels of Biodiversity
Genetic diversity –
variability in genetic
makeup within a
species
Species diversity –
Variety of species on
earth
Ecosystem (Habitat)
diversity – the variety of
biological communities
and ecosystems on
Earth.

36. Genetic Diversity
 Genes are the building blocks of life.
 Genes are the units of inheritance.
 Genes are made up of DNA.
 Genetic diversity is identified by the
analysis of gene sequence, amount of
DNA per cell and chromosome structure
and number.
 Genetic divergence is the basis for
evolution.

37. Species diversity
It represents the different types of plants,
animals and other life forms within a
region.
It is a dynamic property and changes
over space and time.
Species diversity is an indicator of the
biological richness/stress of an
ecosystem.

38. Ecosystem Diversity
It is the variety of different
habitats/ecosystems in a particular
area ( e.g.. wetland, woodland,
grassland).
Every ecosystem can be characterized
by its own species composition.
The ecosystems differ in features such as
physical structure, temperature, water
availability and food types.

40. Benefits of Biodiversity
 Biodiversity provides us with food, shelter
Medicines and clothing.
 80% of our food supply comes from 20
kinds of plants.
 About 80,000 edible wild plant species
could be utilized by humans.
 Humans use at least 40,000 species of
plants and animals a day.
 More than 50 % of all prescriptions
contain natural products.

41. Industrial benefits
 A wide range of industrial materials are
derived directly from bioresources.
 E.g., building materials, fibers, dyes,
resins, gums, adhesives, rubber and oil.

42. Ecological benefits
 Soil formation
 Waste disposal
 Air and water purification
 Nutrient cycling
 Solar energy absorption
 Food production

43. Biological benefits
Biodiversity helps biological
communities withstand stress better
and recover more quickly.
95% of the potential pests and
disease-carrying organisms in the
world are controlled by natural
predators and competitors.

44. Cultural and aesthetic benefits
 Cultural identity and spirituality
 Inspiration for musicians, painters,
sculptors, writers and other artists.
 Leisure activities-bird watching, natural
history programs.
 Aesthetic enjoyment and recreation.

46. Generation of
soils
Purification of Control of insect
Air / water pests
Maintenance of Natural air
Biodiversity Ecosystem conditioning
Benefits
and
Services
Decomposition of Store and recycle
wastes nutrients
Pollination of Production of
crops oxygen

47. Threats to
biodiversity

50. Species Extinction
Extinction is the elimination of a species from Earth.
A species is considered extinct, when no member of
the species alive anywhere in the world.
Extinction may be a natural or human induced
process.
Natural extinction is a slow process.
Man-made extinction leads to rapid loss of species.
Extinctions today are occurring at 100 to 1000 times
faster than the natural rate.

51. Causes of Species Extinction
Natural processes (e.g. fires, hurricanes,
droughts);
Excessive harvesting of particular species of
economic value;
Introduction of exotic invasive species
including diseases;
Impact of various environmental pollutants
changes in climate;
knock-on effects from extinction of essential
companion species.

52. Habitat fragmentation
Habitat is the place where an organism or
community of organisms lives.
Habitat fragmentation occurs when a large
forest is separated into smaller “patches or
islands”.

53. Habitat loss and habitat
degradation
 Habitat loss occurs when
habitat is converted into
other uses.
 For example when a
pond is filled or a
grassland is converted
into housing or industrial
projects.
 Habitat degradation
occurs when a habitat is
so diminished in quality
that species are no
longer able to survive.

54. Invasive species
 Biotic pollution is the introduction of a foreign
species into an area where it is not native.
 Exotic species change the vegetation, compete
with native species and prey on them.
 Exotic species may hybridize with native species
causing genetic pollution (alter gene pool)

55. Environmental Pollution
Acid deposition
Global warming
Toxic discharges
Bacterial contamination
Nutrient buildup
Plastics

56. Overexploitation
Over-hunting – unregulated hunting
Poaching – illegal hunting
Over-fishing – harvesting faster than the stocks can
replace themselves
Over-collecting – collecting live organisms for zoos,
pet stores, research etc.

57. Conservation of Biodiversity

59.  Ex-situ conservation means “off-site”
conservation.
 The species of plants and animals to
be protected are removed from the
natural habitats and are placed in the
safer areas under the control of man.
 E.g.,Botanical gardens, zoos and
Germplasm banks or Seed banks.

60.  In-situ conservation means “on-site”
conservation.
 i.e. protection of species within the
natural habitat of the species of
animals and plants.
 E.g., wildlife sanctuaries, national
parks and biosphere reserves etc.

62. Biological diversity Act 2002
 The Government of India introduced
Biological Diversity Act in December
2002.
 Later, Biological Diversity Rules, 2004
were formulated
 According to this act, any one who
destroys biodiversity without approval
of authorities is liable to be imprisoned
for up-to five years or to pay a fine of
Rs.10 lakhs.

64. How do we restore Ecological Balance/
Biodiversity?
 Don’t deplete non-renewable resources
 Use renewable resources efficiently and
sustainably
 Don’t create persistent toxicity
 Respect and protect biodiversity
 Follow Organic farming which provides
the foundation for restorative agriculture.

65. Increase public awareness
Support research
Establish worldwide system of parks and
reserves
Control pollution
Provide economic incentives for proper
management
Donate liberally for biodiversity
conservation projects /project tiger

66. Why is the loss of biodiversity, a
crisis?
 Loss of economic benefits
 Loss of ecological services.
 Ecosystems more vulnerable to further
degradation.

67. World agencies of biodiversity
conservation
 World Conservation Union
 World Resources Institute
 United Nations Environment Programme
 International Union for the Conservation
of Nature and Natural Resources

68. If we do not protect nature,
nature will not protect us.

69.  Everything in the biosphere is
interconnected.
 ‘If one strand is broken’
 ‘THEN THERE IS COLLAPSE OF THE
BIOSPHERE.’
 ‘Diversity breeds Diversity’.

70. • Dr.B.Victor is a highly experienced professor,
recently retired from the reputed educational
institution- St. Xavier’ s College(autonomous),
Palayamkottai, India-627001.
 He was the dean of sciences, assistant
controller of examinations and IQAC
co-ordinater.
 He has more than 32 years of teaching and
research experience
 He has taught a diversity of courses and he
has supervised 12 Ph. D research scholars .
 Send your comments to :
bonfiliusvictor@gmail.com

71. Thanks a lot