Biodiversity and Conservation

Biodiversity

• Definition: The variety of life forms (plants, animals, microorganisms) on Earth.
• Levels of Biodiversity:
  1. Genetic Diversity: Variation in genes within a species.
     • Example: Different breeds of dogs or varieties of rice.
  2. Species Diversity: Variety of species in a region.
     • Example: The Amazon Rainforest has high species diversity, with millions of species.
  3. Ecosystem Diversity: Variety of ecosystems in a region.
     • Example: India has diverse ecosystems like forests, deserts, wetlands, and coral reefs.

 Importance of Biodiversity

1. Ecological Importance:
   • Maintains ecosystem stability and resilience.
   • Supports ecosystem services like pollination, nutrient cycling, and soil formation.
   • Example: Bees pollinate crops, ensuring food production.
2. Economic Importance:
   • Provides resources like food, medicine, timber, and fibers.
   • Example: Many medicines (e.g., aspirin, penicillin) are derived from plants and microorganisms.
3. Cultural Importance:
   • Biodiversity is integral to cultural practices, traditions, and spiritual beliefs.
   • Example: Sacred groves in India are conserved for their cultural and religious significance.
4. Scientific Importance:
   • Biodiversity provides opportunities for scientific research and innovation.
   • Example: Studying diverse species helps in understanding evolution and adaptation.

Global Biodiversity

• Biodiversity Hotspots: Regions with high species richness and endemism (species found nowhere else).
  • Criteria:
    • At least 1,500 endemic plant species.
    • Lost at least 70% of its original habitat.
  • Examples:
    • Western Ghats (India), Sundaland (Indonesia), and Madagascar.
• Megadiverse Countries: Nations with exceptionally high biodiversity.
  • Examples: India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Colombia.

Threats to Biodiversity

1. Habitat Loss and Fragmentation:
   • Due to deforestation, urbanization, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
   • Example: The destruction of the Amazon Rainforest for agriculture and logging.
2. Pollution:
   • Air, water, and soil pollution harm ecosystems and species.
   • Example: Oil spills in oceans affect marine life.
3. Climate Change:
   • Alters habitats, disrupts ecosystems, and causes species migration or extinction.
   • Example: Coral bleaching due to rising sea temperatures.
4. Overexploitation:
   • Excessive hunting, fishing, and logging deplete species populations.
   • Example: Overfishing has led to the decline of fish stocks in the Atlantic Ocean.
5. Invasive Species:
   • Non-native species that outcompete native species and disrupt ecosystems.
   • Example: The introduction of the Nile Perch in Lake Victoria led to the extinction of many native fish species.

Conservation of Biodiversity

In-situ Conservation:

• Protecting species in their natural habitats.
• Methods:
  1. Protected Areas:
     • National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves.
     • Example: Kaziranga National Park (India) protects the one-horned rhinoceros.
  2. Community Reserves:
     • Managed by local communities to conserve biodiversity.
     • Example: Sacred groves in India.
  3. Ramsar Sites:
     • Wetlands of international importance.
     • Example: Chilika Lake (India) is a Ramsar site.

Ex-situ Conservation:

• Protecting species outside their natural habitats.
• Methods:
  1. Zoos and Botanical Gardens:
     • Preserve endangered species and conduct breeding programs.
     • Example: The Kew Royal Botanic Gardens (UK) conserve rare plant species.
  2. Seed Banks:
     • Store seeds of various plant species for future use.
     • Example: The Svalbard Global Seed Vault (Norway) stores seeds from around the world.
  3. Cryopreservation:
     • Preserve genetic material (e.g., sperm, eggs) at ultra-low temperatures.

International Efforts for Biodiversity Conservation

1. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):
   • Aims to conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable use, and ensure fair benefit-sharing.
   • Example: The Nagoya Protocol under CBD ensures fair access to genetic resources.
2. Ramsar Convention:
   • Protects wetlands of international importance.
   • Example: India has 75 Ramsar sites, including Keoladeo National Park.
3. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species):
   • Regulates trade in endangered species to prevent overexploitation.
   • Example: Tigers and elephants are protected under CITES.
4. IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature):
   • Publishes the Red List of Threatened Species, assessing the conservation status of species.
   • Example: The Bengal tiger is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Biodiversity in India

• Richness: India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries, with 8% of the world’s biodiversity.
• Hotspots:
  • Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, Indo-Burma, and Himalayas.
• Protected Areas:
  • Over 100 national parks and 500 wildlife sanctuaries.
  • Example: Sundarbans National Park protects the Bengal tiger and mangrove ecosystems.
• Endemic Species:
  • Species found only in India, such as the Nilgiri tahr and Lion-tailed macaque.

Role of Local Communities in Conservation

• Traditional Knowledge: Indigenous communities have conserved biodiversity for generations.
  • Example: The Bishnoi community in Rajasthan protects wildlife and trees.
• Community-Based Conservation: Local participation ensures sustainable use of resources.
  • Example: Joint Forest Management (JFM) in India involves local communities in forest conservation.

MCQ PRACTICE

1. Consider the following statements regarding biodiversity hotspots:

1. A region must have at least 1,500 species of endemic plants to qualify as a biodiversity hotspot.
2. A biodiversity hotspot should retain at least 70% of its original habitat.
3. The Indo-Burma region is one of the biodiversity hotspots in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: A biodiversity hotspot must have lost at least 70% of its original habitat, not retain it. The Indo-Burma region is a recognized biodiversity hotspot.

2. Consider the following pairs of biodiversity conservation efforts and their purposes:

1. Ramsar Convention – Protection of migratory birds
2. CITES – Regulation of trade in endangered species
3. Nagoya Protocol – Fair and equitable sharing of genetic resources

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: The Ramsar Convention focuses on the conservation of wetlands, not specifically on migratory birds. CITES regulates the trade of endangered species, and the Nagoya Protocol ensures the fair use of genetic resources.

3. Which of the following factors contribute to biodiversity loss?

1. Habitat destruction and fragmentation
2. Overexploitation of natural resources
3. Introduction of invasive species
4. Implementation of biosphere reserves

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2, and 3 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer: (a) 1, 2, and 3 only
Explanation: Biosphere reserves help in biodiversity conservation and do not contribute to its loss. The other three factors are major causes of biodiversity decline.

4. Consider the following statements regarding in-situ and ex-situ conservation:

1. National parks and wildlife sanctuaries are examples of in-situ conservation.
2. Zoos and botanical gardens are examples of ex-situ conservation.
3. Seed banks preserve genetic diversity and are a form of in-situ conservation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Seed banks are a form of ex-situ conservation, not in-situ, as they preserve genetic material outside natural habitats.

5. Consider the following pairs of endangered species and their habitats:

1. Nilgiri Tahr – Eastern Himalayas
2. Gangetic Dolphin – Freshwater rivers
3. Lion-tailed Macaque – Western Ghats

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Nilgiri Tahr is found in the Western Ghats, not the Eastern Himalayas. The other two pairs are correctly matched.

6. Consider the following statements regarding climate change and its impact on biodiversity:

1. Rising global temperatures lead to coral bleaching.
2. Climate change disrupts species migration patterns.
3. Increased CO₂ levels enhance marine biodiversity.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Increased CO₂ levels lead to ocean acidification, harming marine biodiversity rather than enhancing it. The first two statements are correct.

7. Consider the following statements regarding community participation in biodiversity conservation:

1. The Bishnoi community in Rajasthan is known for protecting trees and wildlife.
2. Sacred groves in India are conserved for their cultural and religious significance.
3. Joint Forest Management (JFM) is a government-driven conservation initiative without local community involvement.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1,2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, and 2 only

Answer: (d) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: JFM involves local communities in forest conservation, so statement 3 is incorrect.

8. Which of the following is/are examples of ex-situ conservation?

1. Cryopreservation of genetic material
2. Captive breeding of endangered species in zoos
3. Establishment of biosphere reserves

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Biosphere reserves are an in-situ conservation method, while cryopreservation and captive breeding are ex-situ conservation techniques.

9. Which of the following are classified as megadiverse countries?

1. India
2. Brazil
3. Canada
4. Indonesia

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2, and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 3, and 4 only

Answer: (b) 1, 2, and 4 only
Explanation: Canada is not classified as a megadiverse country. India, Brazil, and Indonesia are among the 17 megadiverse countries.

10. Consider the following international conventions related to biodiversity:

1. The Nagoya Protocol is a legally binding agreement under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
2. The Ramsar Convention primarily focuses on the conservation of coral reefs.
3. The IUCN Red List provides the conservation status of species globally.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1,2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, and 3 only

Answer: (d) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: The Ramsar Convention is concerned with wetlands, not coral reefs. The other two statements are correct.