This presentation gives an overview about biodiversity in connection with the pandemic times. It also shares tips on virtual celebration

1. DR. V. SHUBHALAXMI
FOUNDER & MANAGING TRUSTEE
Compiled by Tejas & Amulaya, Oracle

2. OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION
• KEY MESSAGE
• CORONA VIRUS: AN IMPACT OF BIODIVERSITY LOSS
• “OUR SOLUTIONS ARE IN NATURE”
• NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS
• WHAT ARE NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO CLIMATE CHANGE?
• HOW CAN YOU PROTECT BIODIVERSITY?
• VIRTUAL CELEBRATIONS
• Q&A
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3. KEY MESSAGE
1. Biodiversity loss is a loss for natural currency.
2. Country’s Natural Capital is driver of the GDP
3. There is no Planet B. Natural Resources are not
infinite
4. Loss of biodiversity is the main reason behind
pandemics such as Ebola or Corona virus that is
effecting the entire world.
5. Human is a full stop in nature’s sentence,
removing a full stop only means the sentence will
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4. WHAT IS BIO DIVERSITY?
• Biodiversity is the shortened form of two words
"biological" and "diversity."
• It refers to all the variety of life that can be found on
earth (plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms) as
well as to the communities they form and the habitats
they live in.
• Biodiversity is not only the sum of all ecosystems,
species and genetic material. Rather, it represents the
variability within and among them.

5. DID YOU KNOW?
• It contains over 7 per cent of the world’s biodiversity on
2.5 per cent of the earth’s surface.
• India is one of the world’s 12 ‘mega diversity’ countries.
This is largely because of ten distinct habitats
(biogeographic zones).
• It also contains two of the world’s 25 biodiversity
hotspots, because of their extraordinarily high levels of
species-richness and endemicity, and threatened status.
(N.E. Himalaya & Western Ghats)
• The number of plant species in India is estimated to
be over 45,523 representing about 11.8 per cent of
the world’s flora. These include over 17,500
flowering plants of which 4,950 species are endemic
to the country.

6. WHY IS BIODIVERSITY IMPORTANT?
• Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each
species, no matter how small, all have an important
role to play.
• The richer the diversity of life, the greater the
opportunity for medical discoveries, economic
development, and Adaptive responses to such new
challenges as climate change.
• At least 40 per cent of the world’s economy and 80
per cent of the needs of the poor are derived from
biological resources.
• The average abundance of species is declining,40%
loss between 1970 and 2000.
• Unsustainable consumption continues as demand for
resources worldwide exceeds the biological capacity

7. CORONA
VIRUS: AN
IMPACT OF
BIODIVERSIT
Y LOSS
Source: un.org

8. CORONA VIRUS: TEMPORARY BENEFITS TO
BIODIVERSITY
1. Reduced stresses on sensitive animals and
trampling pressure on popular trails inside
protected areas.
2. Wild species venturing into rural and urban
areas, including parks and beaches.
3. People have become appreciative of outdoors
4. Dramatic improvements in air quality
5. Reduced impacts on marine systems 8

9. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF BIODIVERSITY
2020
Source: cbd.int
Celebrated since 1993 on 22 May
Globally, around 25% of all animal and plant species are threatened with
extinction. This year the International Day for Biological Diversity is
targeted towards raising awareness and building momentum on the
importance of biodiversity as well as global issues on biodiversity loss

10. NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS
• Preservation of
pristine ecosystems
• Improvement of
ecosystem
management
• Restoration of
degraded
ecosystems
• Creation of new
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11. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ON NATURE-BASED
SOLUTIONS
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12. RESTORING AND
PROTECTING
FORESTS AND
WETLANDS IN
CATCHMENTS
Protecting or restoring forests
and wetlands (e.g. Peatlands)
in catchments can secure and
regulate water supplies,
support production of forest
products, and protect
communities and
infrastructure from floods,
soil erosion and landslides.

13. BRINGING NATURE
INTO CITIES
Creating green roofs and
walls and planting trees in
cities can moderate the
impacts of heatwaves,
capture storm water and
abate pollution. Such
measures also have
positive outcomes for
mental and physical health.

14. COASTAL HABITAT
RESTORATION
Protecting or restoring coastal
ecosystems (mangroves, reefs
and salt marshes) protects
communities and
infrastructure from storm
surges and erosion. Coastal
habitats, especially
mangroves, are particularly
good at sequestering carbon,
so restoration also
contributes to climate change

18. CELEBRATE
VIRTUALLY:
VIRTUAL DIVING!
• The ocean agency is
organizing virtual dives,
expeditions and ocean
quizzes about the
fascinating underwater
world in a click on your
phone or laptop.
Source:

19. CELEBRATE VIRTUALLY: VIRTUAL
NATURE WALK
Listen to the cook county forest preserve’s restoration efforts to
reestablish native biodiversity over the last ten years.

20. CELEBRATE VIRTUALLY: VIRTUAL
NATURE WALK
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21. CELEBRATE VIRTUALLY: GLOWING GONE
CAMPAIGN
• The UNEP, in partnership with the ocean agency, has launched glowing
gone, a creative awareness campaign that draws attention to coral
fluorescence due to climate change.
Source:

22. 1. Look up for local plants and animals. Post their pictures on social
media and celebrate your local biodiversity
2. Teach children to grow food from kitchen scraps and enlighten
them about agrobiodiversity & pollinators
3. Make a bird home/feeder and install it in your
balcony/garden/window sill
4. Keep a bird bath in your garden

23. HOW CAN YOU PROTECT BIODIVERSITY?
1. 4Rs Golden Mantra (Refuse,
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)
2. Reduce carbon footprint as well
as foodprint
3. Buy local food avoid GM food
4. Create wild habitats within your
garden for pollinators
5. Compost kitchen waste and
avoid chemical usage
6. Make gardening as family
hobby
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24. INATUREWATCH
FOUNDATION
www.inaturewatch.org
Our UPCOMING Events
23 May: Virtual Workshop On Bird Homes
24 May: Virtual Workshop On Kitchen Gardening
Upcoming ONLINE COURSES
• Gardening For Wildlife
• Kitchen Gardening For Beginners
• Trees For Beginners
• Birds For Beginners
• Bugs For Beginners
• Butterflies For Beginners
• Young Naturalist For Children