Biodiversity, or biological diversity, encompasses the variety of life in an area, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity, all of which are essential for sustaining life on Earth. Biodiversity hotspots are regions rich in endemic species that face threats from habitat destruction and exploitation. Protecting endangered and endemic species, addressing human-induced threats like habitat loss and pollution, and conserving biodiversity through in-situ and ex-situ methods are vital for ecological balance and sustainability.

2. BIO-DIVERSITY

3. BIO-DIVERSITY

4. Define Bio-diversity or Biological diversity
Bio-diversity is all the different kinds of life you will find in one area ---the variety of animals, plants,
fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up or natural world. Each of these species and
organisms work together in ecosystems to maintain balance and support life. Bio-diversity supports
everything in nature that we need to survive::: food, clean water, medicine, shelter etc…
Bio-diversity is a complex term that includes not only the variety of different animals (species
diversity) but also the difference between animals of the same species (genetic diversity) and between
ecosystems (ecosystem diversity).
Bio-diversity refers to the variety and variability among living organisms and ecological complexes in
which they occur. Biological diversity or bio –diversity is “that part of nature which includes , the
differences in genes among the individuals of a species , the variety and richness of all the plant and animal
species at different scales in space, locally in a region, in the country and world and the types of
ecosystems , both terrestrial and aquatic , within a defined area.
Bio-diversity means the nature we live.

5. Explain briefly different levels of Bio-diversity. (Components of Bio-diversity)
1. Ecosystem diversity
It relates to the variety of habitat, biotic communities and ecological processes in the biosphere. There
exists different variety of ecosystem. For example, a lake ecosystem is different from an ocean ecosystem.
Their diversity is accessed at the continental or global level.
2. Species diversity
Species diversity refers to the vast number of different species in a particular area. It is related to the
number and distribution of species in a particular area. It refers to a variety of species in a particular
region. It means a number of different species found at a a place or in an ecosystem. It also refers to the
studies to know as to how these kinds of species vary from season to season at the same place or different
at different places.
3. Genetic diversity
“Gene” is the most basic structure of species. It influences the characteristics of all species within any
given species. There can be several varieties and races which differ from one another in certain
characteristics. There are multiple characteristics in each species. To name a few of these, the
characteristics are: Size, shape, color, resistances against diseases etc. Thus a species may be smaller or
bigger in size, black or brown in color etc. Such different characteristics of some species are termed as
genetic diversity.

8. Define Bio-diversity hotspots.
Biodiversity hotspots refers to bio-graphic regions where significant levels of bio-diversity with richness
and unusual concentration of endemic species are found, however, they are threatened with mindless
exploitation and destruction.
A biodiversity is termed as a hotspot if –
➢It has at least 1500 vascular plants as endemic.
➢It must be threatened or under threat of destruction to a considerable extend.
The two hotspots of biodiversity that extends into India are:
➢Indo Burma and Western ghat
➢Sri Lanka

9. Define Endangered and Endemic Species in India
These are the species that are considered in imminent danger of extinction and whose survival is unlikely if
factors causing their decline continue to operate. These are species where numbers have been reduced to a
critical level or whose habitats have been so drastically reduced that they are in immediate danger of
extinction.
India ranks second in terms of the number of Endemic mammals, while sixth in terms of countries with the
most Endemic birds. Endangered species are animals or plants which exist in very less number and if not
conserved properly , will extinct. Endemic species are plants or animals exist in some particular regions
and nowhere in the world. Unless conserved , these also will disappear from earth.
In India, there are around 450 plant species, 100 mammals, and around 150 types of birds are
considered as endangered. Unless we take immediate actions for protecting these species , all these will
be extincted from earth. More species are coming under the endangered category every year due to reasons
like over exploitation of resource and habitat destruction. Some of the list of endangered species are
given below:
Pygmy Hog, Salim Ali’s Fruit bat, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Asiatic Lion, Asiatic Black Bear, Desert Cat,
Great Indian Rhinoceros, Indian Elephant or Asiatic Elephant, Blue Whale, Capped Leaf Monkey, Ganges
River Dolphin, Red Panda, Clouded Leopard, Jackal, Himalayan Musk Dear, Fishing Cat, Royal Bengal
Tiger, Wild Goat, Wild Yak, Asiatic Wild Dogs, Leopard, Red Fox, Indian Wild Ass …
Endangered------ വംശനാശഭീഷണി നനരിടുന്നു
Endemic-----പ്രനയേക നാട്ടില്‍ രയിവായി കണ്ടുവരുന്ന, ഒരു പ്രനയേക ജനയനയനയാ
സ്ഥലനേനയാ നേശനേനയാ സംബന്ധിച്ച

10. Endemic species are animals or plants exist only in some particular areas and nowhere else in the world.
In India, endemic species are mostly in Himalaya and Western Ghats. The endemic animals in India are :
Lion tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri Tahr…
ENDANGERED SPECIES
WILD GOAT JACKAL

11. ENDANGERED SPECIES
RED FOX WILD CAT
SALIM ALI
FRUIT BAT
ASIATIC LION RED PANDA
GANGES
DOLPHIN

12. ENDEMIC SPECIES
NILGIRI TAHR
LION TAILED
MACAQUE
Endangered------ വംശനാശഭീഷണി നനരിടുന്നു
Endemic-----പ്രനയേക നാട്ടില്‍ രയിവായി കണ്ടുവരുന്ന, ഒരു പ്രനയേക ജനയനയനയാ സ്ഥലനേനയാ
നേശനേനയാ സംബന്ധിച്ച

13. What are the threats to bio-diversity?
It is beyond to accept that the biodiversity is in danger. The species are being eliminated, habitat is in bad
condition and the ecosystems are destructed. The threat to biodiversity has not erupted recently or in one or
two decades; rather it has initiated much easier in 20th century.
Causes of Threats
Major causes of threats to biodiversity are the human actions , defined as follows;
➢Hunting of birds , animals, fishes etc
➢Increase in population
➢Advancing civilization and development of human settlement
➢Increased agricultural activities
➢Industrialization
➢Deforestation
➢Mining
➢Air, water and soil pollution
CIVILIZATION------ആധുനികസമൂഹം നല്കുന്ന സുഖസൗകര്യങ്ങള്‍,
പര്ിഷ്‌ക്കാര്ം

14. Forms of threats
The threats to biodiversity due to above causes are in the following forms….
✓Habitat degradation
✓Habitat fragmentation
✓Pollution
✓Habitat loss
✓Man wildlife conflict
✓Poaching
Habitat degradation is a kind of habitat destruction. Habitat fragmentation is process of habitat
reduction in which the habitat area is separated into two or more fragments.
EXTINCTION --- വംശനാശം

15. By Habitat loss, we means the extinction of species. Main causes of habitat loss are
❖Expanding population :: space, shelter, food
❖Human settlements
❖Industrialization
❖Human activities
❖Agriculture
❖Mining
❖Fishing
In many countries , islands and localities where the density of human population is high, the biodiversity
has undergone a substantial habitat loss.

16. Poaching of Wildlife
It is the outcome of destruction of biodiversity for want of financial gains. The decline in the number
of species is due to the following reason.
➢The species , particularly cattle's are sold and hacked to death for consumption (eating)
➢The wildlife , say the elephants are killed to obtain their teeth, which is then sold for substantial amount
of money.
➢The tigers or lions are killed to extract their skin to be sold for money. Similarly their skins, horns etc are
obtained from different forms of wildlife. There are used to prepare various end use products such as
medicines, leather jackets, shoes, purse etc.
The threats of poaching is more on some species and less to other. It depends upon their need in the
market and their social value etc. For example, the need of snake has their market value for human
consumption is some regions, of the world but not in others. Similar to this , the tiger skin is the status
symbol for many people therefore is used to decorate drawing rooms.
POACHING OFANIMALS ---- വവട്ടയാടൽ

17. POACHING OFANIMALS

18. Man-Wildlife conflict (Threat of bio diversity)
Man – Wildlife conflict refers to the interaction between wild animals and people and the consequential
negative impact on both of them. Human population growth and the resultant destruction of wildlife
habitat for human habitation and economic prosperity create reduction of resources or life to some people
and wild animals.
Although man-wildlife conflict is as old as human civilization , in modern times the degree of conflict
has been on the rise due to high rise in human population in the past several countries. There are many
consequences of man versus wildlife conflicts. The major consequences are :
1) Destruction of wild life habitat
2) Injury and loss of life of both human and wild life
3) Damage to human property
4) Decrease in wildlife population and reduction in geographic ranges.

19. Define Biological invasion.
Biological invasion has been defined as the processes by which an organism is introduced to and
establishes a sustainable population in a region beyond its native geographical range.
Biological invasion takes place when species are deliberately or accidentally introduced and become
established in environments that they have not previously occupied. These are also called “invasive
species”. Biological invasions by animals, plants, pathogens or vectors are one of the greatest
environmental and economic challenges and along with habitat destruction , a leading cause of global
biodiversity loss.

20. Define Conservation of biodiversity
All the species of plants and animals irrespective of their economic importance need to be conserved as
they are equally useful for the evolution of biosphere. One of today’s most pressing environmental issues
is the conservation of biodiversity. Conservation is defined as the “the act of protecting Earth’s
natural resources for current and future generations". The act of trying to protect or preserve
something or limiting of how much of a resource you use. An example preserve wetlands. Another
example trying to save old buildings. The two basic approaches to wildlife conservation in protected
habitat are ::::
➢In-situ conservation
➢Ex-situ conservation
In-situ conservation
In-situ conservation or on-situ conservation means conservation of species in its natural ecosystem or
even in man made ecosystem. This type of conservation is the conservation of living resources by
maintaining them in their natural ecosystem in which they occur. The preservation of species and
populations of living organisms in a natural state in the habitat where they naturally occur. Examples ::
national parks , sanctuaries, natural reserves, reserves of the biosphere, , sacred grooves etc.
This type of conservation applies only to wild animals (fauna) and flowers (flora) and not to the
domesticated animals and plants because conservation is possible by protection of population in nature. It
provides to save and protect the entire area for endangered species.
GROOVES ---- ചാൽ, ചാലുകീറുക, പപാഴി, വണ്ടിച്ചക്കങ്ങളാലുണ്ടായ ചാൽ

21. National Parks
A national park is an area which is strictly reserved for the welfare of wildlife and where activities such as
Forestry, grazing, or cultivation, are not allowed. Private ownership right and habitat manipulation are not
permitted in a National park. Examples ----- Eravikulam, Silent valley etc
Santuaries
A Sanctuary is an area which is reserved for the conservation of animals only. It is dedicated to protect the
wildlife. Tourism is permissible. Timber cutting, collection of minor forest products, and private ownership
rights are allowed if they do not adversely affect the animals.
Examples are --- Parambikulam tiger reserve, Mangalavanam bird sanctuaries etc.
Biosphere reserve
Biosphere reserves are a special category of protected areas of land and coastal environment, where is
people are an integral component of the system.
Examples are--- Nilgiris biosphere, Agasthyamalai biosphere etc.

22. ERAVIKULAM NATIONAL
PARK PARAMBIKULAM TIGER
RESERVE

23. MANGALAVANAM BIRD
SANCTUARY
ERAVIKULAM NATIONAL
PARK

24. SILENT VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

25. Ex-situ conservation
Ex situ conservation is the technique of conservation of all levels of biological diversity outside their
natural habitats through different techniques like zoo, captive breeding, aquarium, botanical garden, and
gene bank. Ex situ conservation is the conservation of area outside their natural habitat. Botanical
gardens, zoological parks, seed banks, cryopreservation, field gene banks, etc are examples of it.

26. EX SITU CONSERVATION

27. Explain various values of Bio- diversity.
Some of the major values of bio –diversity are as follows.
1. Social value
Main is a social animal. He lives together in groups. A combination of such groups forms a society. For
leading a happy life they carry on various activities which are acceptable to societies. The activities may be
agriculture, fishing, cattle breeding, gardening etc…. These activities have social values having varying
importance, having a very good garden , or a number of elephants or a very large sized agricultural field
etc… will definitely enhance (increase) the social value of its respective owners.
2. Ethical value
Though the present society is money oriented, some proportion of it honours moral values. Moral
justification for conservation of bio-diversity is based on the belief that species have a moral right to exist,
independent of our need for them. So human beings the most intelligent species on earth have a
responsibility to allow these species to survive or live undisturbed. Ethical values are deep rooted with in
human culture and society.
3. Aesthetic value
Nature has a aesthetic value that can be experienced by human beings when they are in natural
surroundings. When human beings are growing up in degraded environments negative attitude develop in
them. According to a study of the impact of environment on human beings it was found that working in the
midst of nature relieve working stresses. Some of the different species living on the earth are most
beautiful and their uniqueness imparts aesthetic values. Birds like peacocks, butterflies, land animals
like deer's, stags, , flowers like roses, jasmine etc give aesthetic values.

28. Watching and playing with them are good means of recreation and enjoyments.
4. Informational values (option value)
Some species have great potential to exhibit their utility in future. It is because they are superior to many
new existing species in different aspects such as nutrition. The soyabean has high nutrition value where
as tulasi have high medicinal value.
5. Ecological value
Ecological value provides functioning ecosystems that supply oxygen, clean air and water, pollination of
plants, pest control, wastewater treatment and many ecosystem services. Some recreational activities also
there such as birdwatching, hiking, camping and fishing. Ecological values also provide habitat for
wildlife, corridors for wildlife movement, food chain support, groundwater recharge, water storage, and
water quality enhancement.
6. Economic value
The economic potential of bio-diversity is immense in terms of food, medicinal, ethical and social values.
Bio-diversity forms the major resource for different industries, which govern the world economy . The
economical potential of biodiversity are :

29. 1) The major fuel sources of the world including wood and fossil fuels have their origin due to
biodiversity.
2) It is the source of food for all animals and humans.
3) Diverse group of animals are used for medical research during the testing of new drugs.