BIODIVERSITY Source: orgs.unca.edu/tulula/images/biodiversity.jpg

What is BIODIVERSITY ? Refers to the numbers, variety and variability of living organisms and ecosystem. Includes all terrestrial, marine and other aquatic organisms. Covers diversity within species, between species as well as variations among ecosystems.

Factors determining Degree of Diversity Habitat stress Geographical isolation Dominance by one species Availability of ecological niches Edge effect Geological history

Types of Biodiversity Genetic diversity - Diversity of genes within a species. i.e. genetic variability among the populations and the individuals of the same species. Species diversity- Diversity among species in an ecosystem. “Biodiversity hotspots” are excellent examples of species diversity. Ecosystem diversity- Diversity at a higher level of organization, the ecosystem. To do with the variety of ecosystems on Earth.

Importance of Biodiversity. Biodiversity has contributed in many ways to the development of human culture, and, in turn, human communities have played a major role in shaping the diversity of nature at the genetic, species, and ecological levels.

Important Role of Biodiversity Ecological Role….. Economic Role….. Scientific Role…..

Ecological Role of Biodiversity All species provide at least one function in an ecosystem. Each function is an integral part of regulating the species balance, species diversity and species health: all aspects which are intrinsic for the ecosystem as a whole to survive and prosper

Economic Role of Biodiversity . Food: Crop Biodiversity or agrobiodiversity. Goods: Various things like timber,paper,medicines. Recreation: Wildlife tourism, trekking nature photography,birdwatching.

Scientific Role of Biodiversity Genetic resources:Biotechnology and genetic enginnering use the genes of organisms to make new crops and medicines. Each species can give scientist some clue as to how life evolved and will continue to evolve.

Causes of Biodiversity losses 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. In addition, 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. — The Convention about Life on Earth, Convention on biodiversity website. Habitat loss and degradation. Habitat fragmentation.

Global Biodiversity 20 million species (1.5 million known) 0.5% loss per year- deforestation Terrestial Biodiversity or Biomass Tropical rain Forest: millions of species plants, insects, birds, amphibians and mammals 50-75% of Global Biodiversity 3000 plants- utilized for cancer treatments & AIDS virus 1,30,000 flowering plants

Temperate Forests Marine Diversity 1,70,000 Flowering plants 30,000 vertebrates Marine Diversity Estuaries, coastal waters and oceans- low diversity Sea- large…..of 34(35) phyla of multicellular animas

Measurement of Biodiversity Point richness No. of species known at single point Alpha richness or diversity No. of species found in Small (homogenous) area Beta richness or diversity Rate of change in species composition across haitats( increases heterogenous area) Gama richness Rate of change across large landscape

Biodiversity in Tamil Nadu Salem district( dense forest) Western Ghats (1500 plants, 50 mammals, 90 reptiles) Vedanthangal – Birds Sanctuary Anaimalai Mundanthurai-tiger Sanctuary

Mega Diversity 170 countries 12 countries- 70% biodiverity Australia, brazil, China, colombia, Ecuador, US, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico, peru and Democra tic republic of congo.

12th Mega-diversity nation Animal- 89450 species Plant- 47,000 species Sum of 10.8% of world floral species Loss of endemic-33%`

Endemim or endemic species Plant diversity flowering-5000 varieties crop- 166 varieties Marine Diversity coral- 340 species mangrove plants and sea grasses Agro-Diversity crop & wild – 167 species Animal biodiversity 75,000 animal

Red Data book (or) Red list Catalogue of taxa facing risk of extinction Awareness on degree of threats to biodiversity Global index -decline of Biodiversity Identification species at high risk Conservation awareness Information on internal agreements Endangered -44 plant species Vulnerable- 143 2nd rank interms of threatened species