Biodiversity

• Biodiversity


  The richness and variety of life on earth. It is the most complex and important feature of our planet. Without biodiversity, life would not sustain.
• Biodiversity


  • Holds ecological and economic significance
  • Supports everything in nature that we need to survive: food, clean water, medicine, and shelter
• Biodiversity


  The variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life.
• The term biodiversity was coined


  1985
• Biodiversity is important in natural as well as artificial ecosystems
• Biodiversity deals with nature's variety, the biosphere
• Biodiversity refers to variabilities among plants, animals and microorganism species
• Biodiversity provides us with nourishment, housing, fuel, clothing medicine and several other resources
• Biodiversity extracts monetary benefits through tourism
• Types of Biodiversity


  • Species Biodiversity
  • Genetic Biodiversity
  • Ecological Biodiversity
• Species diversity


  The variety of different types of species found in a particular area
• No two individuals of the same species are exactly similar
• Genetic diversity


  The variations among the genetic resources of the organisms
• Ecological diversity


  The variations in the plant and animal species living together and connected by food chains and food webs
• Importance of Biodiversity


  • Ecological Stability
  • Economic Importance
  • Ethical Importance
• Ecological Stability


  • Every species has a specific role in an ecosystem
  • Ecosystem supports services without which humans cannot survive
  • A diverse ecosystem is more productive and can withstand environmental stress
• Economic Importance


  • Biodiversity is a reservoir of resources for the manufacture of food, cosmetic products and pharmaceuticals
  • National parks and sanctuaries are a source of tourism
  • Biodiversity is a source of beauty and joy for many people
• Ethical Importance


  • All species have a right to exist
  • Biodiversity preserves different cultures and spiritual heritage
• India is one of the most diverse nations in the world
• India ranks ninth in terms of plant species richness
• 4 of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots are found in India
• India is the origin of important crop species such as pigeon pea, eggplant, cucumber, cotton and sesame
• India is a center of various domesticated species such as millets, cereals, legumes, vegetables, medicinal and aromatic crops
• India has about 91000 animal species
• Biodiversity Hotspots in India

  • The Himalayas
  • Indo-Burma Region
  • The Western Ghats & Sri Lanka
  • Sundaland
• The Himalayas


  • Holds a record of having 163 endangered species
  • Has as many as 10,000 plant species, of which 3160 are endemic
• Indo-Burma Region


  • Large mammal species have been discovered in this region
  • Known for the endemic freshwater turtle species, most of which are threatened with extinction
  • Home to 1,300 different bird species, including the threatened White-eared Night-heron, the Grey-crowned Crocias, and the Orange-necked Partridge
• The Western Ghats & Sri Lanka

  • Home to at least 325 globally threatened flora, fauna, bird, amphibian, reptile and fish species
  • Originally, the vegetation in this region was spread over 190,000 km2 but has been now reduced to 43,000 km2
  • 129 species are classified as Vulnerable, 145 as Endangered and 51 as Critically Endangered
• Sundaland


  • Comprises 25,000 species of vascular plants, of which 15,000 are found only in this region
  • Declared as a World Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations in 2013
• Top 5 Endangered Species of India

  • The Royal Bengal Tiger
  • The Great Asiatic Lion
  • The Snow Leopard
  • Nilgiri Tahr
  • Indian Rhino
• Top 5 Endangered Plant Species of India

  • Ebony tree
  • Indian Mallow
  • Malabar Lily
  • Assam Catkin Yew
  • Milkwort