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UNIT I- ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEM AND BIODIVERSITY
Ecology
 Ecology is the study of interaction among organisms or group of organism with
their environment.
 Environment consists of both biotic and abiotic.
Ecosystem:
 A group of organisms interacting among themselves and with environment.
Biome (small ecosystem): same climatic condition cycle
Types of Ecosystems
Ecosytem
Natural
Terrestrial
eg: desert, forest
Artificial
Eg:gardens
Aquatic
Fresh water
Marine
Eg:gardens
e.g:sea
Lotic(running H2O)
Eg:rivers
Lentic(standning H2O)
e.g:lake
Structure or Components of an Ecosytem
Abiotic
nonliving
Ecosystem Components
Biotic
Living
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Biotic Components or biotic community: living organism or living members
Biotic components
Autotrophic components
Producers (plant)
Heterotrophic components
Can’t prepare own food
6CO2+12H2O C6H12O6+6O2+6 H2O
Chlorophyll, hv
Macro consumer
Herbivores, carnivores, omnivores
Micro consumer
(Decomposer) eg:fungi,bacteria
Primary(herbivores)plant eaters eg:rat,cow
Consumers types
secondary(carnivores)meat eaters eg: frog, cat
Tertiary(carnivores)meat eaters eg: tiger,lion
Rat -10consumers
Herbivores
Grass
producers
Cat- 20consumers
10 carnivores
Tiger- 30consumers
20 carnivores
Function of Eco System- allow flow of energy and cycling of nutrient
Types of functions
1.
2.
3.
Primary- manufacture of starch
Secondary- distributing energy in the form of food to all consumers
Tertiary- livings systems are die and decomposed to initiate –cycling
This terms understood a) energy flow b)food chains c) food webs d) food pyramids
Energy flow in the Ecosystem
flow of energy from producer level to top consumer level
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Energy flow in the Ecosystem follows the two basic principles of thermodynamics
i)first law of thermodynamics
“Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed, but it can be converted from one
form to another.”
Solar energy is converted chemical energy during photosynthesis
6CO2+12H2O
C6H12O6+6O2+6 H2O
ii)second law of thermodynamics
“whenever energy is transformed , there is a loss of energy through the release of
heat”
Respiration equation
C6H12O6+6O2 6CO2+12H2O
Nutrient cycle
Abiotic (heat )
Sun
Radiation
Energy
Plants
Chemical
Energy
Animals
Bacteria
a
Biotic
Abiotic (heat )
Energy flow in Ecosystem
Ecological Succession
The progressive replacement of one community by another till the development of
stable community in a particular area is called ecological succession.
(Community means group of plants or animals in an area)
Stages of Ecological Succession
1. pioneer community: first group of organism, establish their community in the area
2.seres or seral stage: the various development stages of a community
Types of Ecological succession
1. Primary succession: establishment of biotic communities on a lifeless ground.
b) Hydrarch or hydrosere: establishment starts in a watery area like pond and lake
c) Xerarch or Xerosere: establishment starts in a dry area like, desert and rock.
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2.Secondary succession: establishment of biotic communities in an area, where
some type of biotic community is already present.
Process of Ecological succession
1. Nudation: development of bare area without any life form
2. Invasion: establishment of one or more species on a bare area through
migration then establishment.
a) Migration: seed migrate by wind, birds
b) Establishment: seed germinate and grow land-pioneer communities
3. Competition: number new species grow then competition for water,
nutrient, space.
4.Reaction: the new living organism grow and modify the environment then
unsuitable for existing species. So new species replace existing species- seres or
seral communities
5. Stabilizations: stable communities’ equilibrium with environment
Food Chains
 sequence of eating, food energy transfer from plant to organism.
Organism die---nutrient—again plant
Every transfer, nearly 80-90% energy loss.
1.Food chain in a grassland
plant
producers
Rat –
10consumers
snakes20consumers
10 carnivores
Eagles30consumers
20 carnivores
I-Tropic level
II-Tropic level
III-Tropic level
IV-Tropic level
Tropic level or feeding level: the various steps through which food energy passes in an ecosystem
2..Food chain in a pond
Phytoplankton
producers
Zooplankton
10consumer
s
Small fish
20consumer
10 carnivores
2. Food chain in a forest
plant
producers
Deer
10consumers
Large fish
20consumer
20
carnivores
Lions or tiger
20consumers
10 carnivores
man
30consumer
20
carnivores
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Food Web: interlocking pattern of various food chains
 Most consumers feed more than one type of organism
 Different types of organism are connected at different tropic level
insects
Grass (starting)
Fishess
Deer
Birds
Lions or tiger
Rat
snakes
Eagles
Tigers
Birds
Eagles
Snakes
rat
Birds
Birds
Birds
Insects
fishes
Insects
Grass
Difference between food chain and food web
Food chain: one species get affected then subsequent tropic level affected
Food Web: one species get affected then subsequent tropic level not affected
seriously. Because number of options available at each tropic level
Significance of food chain and food web
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Energy and nutrient takes place through them, maintained ecological balance,
Biomagnifications
Biomagnifications of DDT an illustration
If DDT sprayed low concentration on pest, regularly its concentration increased along
the food chain through phytoplantons to zooplanktons and then goes to fish, birds
and animals. DDT is fat soluble in human body so it can’t removed easily.
Ecological Pyramids
Graphical representation of structure and function of tropic level of an ecosystem
Types of Ecological Pyramids
1.pyramid of numbers 2.pyramid of energy 3.pyramid of biomass
1.pyramid of numbers eg. Grassland Ecosystem
 It represent the number of individual organisms present in each tropic level.
2.pyramid of energy eg. Grassland Ecosystem
 It represent the amount of energy individual organisms present in each tropic level.
The 90% of energy loss through heat. only 10% of the energy reach higher tropic level
2.pyramid of Biomass eg. Forest Ecosystem
 It represent the amount of Biomass individual organisms present in each tropic level.
Tertiary consumers
10
Eagle
s
100 snakes
o
2 consumers
5
k.cals
ssEag
les
50k.cals
2o consumers
10000 Rats
(1o Consumers)
500 k.cals
(1o Consumers)
1,00,000Grass
(producers)
5000
(producers)
pyramid of numbers
pyramid of energy
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100
Kgs
Top carnivores, Tertiary consumers
1000kgs
Carnivores, 2o consumers
1o Consumers, Herbivores
10,000 kgs
1,00,000 kgs
producers
pyramid of Biomass
Ecosystems
Plants
Deer
Foxes
Tiger
Decomposers
(Bacteria, fungi)
Death
Rabbit
Fox
Lion
Forest Ecosystem
Grass
Grasshopper
lizard
Hawk
Decomposers
(Bacteria, fungi)
Death
Rabbit
Fox
Lion
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Grassland Ecosystem
shrubs
Rabbit
Reptiles
Birds
Decomposers
(Bacteria, fungi)
Death
Insects
S.N
1
Topics
introduction
Vulture
Snakes
Desert Ecosystem s
Forest
Its present tall and
dense trees grow that
support many animals
and birds.
Forest 40% in worldis
land, 19% in india
Tropical rain forest
Near equator
High temp, broad leaf,
sandal, lion, tiger
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Tropical deciduous forest
Little away equator
Warm climate
Tree: Maple, oak,
animal: deer, fox
Types
Features
Tropical Scrub forest
Dry climate long time
Deciduous tree:
animal: oak, deer, fox
Temperature forest
Adequate rainfall
tree:pines,red wood
animal: bear, deer, fox
Temperature deciduous
forest
Moderate temp
Tree:Maple, oak,
Grassland
Grassland occupies
about 20% of earth’s
surface. In addition to
grass species, some
trees and shrubs
Desert
Its occupies about
35% of our world’s
land area. This
region less than
25cm rainfall per
annum
Tropical grassland
Its near borders of
rain forest , rain fall
40 -100cm, tall
grasses,
Animal: zebras
Tropical deserts
Africa: sahara desert
Wind blown sand
dunes
Temperature grassland
Centers of continents,
flat, sloped hills.
Hot summer ,cool
winter. Not allow
shrubs,trees
Temperature deserts
South California:
place-majave
Hot summer ,cool
winter
Polar grassland
Cold Desert
China:Gobi desert
Cold winter, warm
summers
Arctic polar region.
Severe cold and strong
winds with ice &snow
arctic wolf, fox
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animal: deer, fox
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5
6
7
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Characteristic
s
Maintain climate
rainfall,
Support wild animals,
Rich in organic and
nutrient.
Penetration light is poor
Structure and
Solar energy, air,
function I
nutrient, water,
Abiotic
temperature
II Biotic
Trees,shrubs and
producers
ground vegetation
1.Consumers
a) 1o
Ants, flies, insects,
Consumers
mice, deer, squirrels
o
b)2
Snakes, birds
Consumers
c)3o
It is depend
Consumers
1o carnivores
Eg: tiger, lion
3.Decompose
They decay plant
rs
animals
Eg: bacteria, fungi
Rich organic matter
Plain land,rich
nutrient, grazing
animals, low rainfall
Air is dry, climate is
hot, poor nutrient
and organic matter,
poor, vegetation,
Solar energy, air,
water, element
C,H,O,N,P
Grasses,forbs and
shrubs
Solar energy, air,
nutrient, water
Cows, buffaloes,
deer, sheep
Snakes, birds, lizard,
birds, fox
It is depend
1o carnivores
Eg: hawks, eagles
They decay plant
animals
Eg: bacteria, fungi
Grasses,forbs and
shrubs, few trees
Rabbit, camel, wolf
Reptiles, snakes
Birds, insect eaters
They decay plant
animals
Eg: bacteria, fungi
Low organic matter
Aquatic Ecosystem
Producers
Phytplankton,Algae
Inorganic
compounds
1o consumers
Zooplankton
Decomposer
Bacteria, fungi
Death
2o consumers
Frog, fish
3o consumers
Large fish
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S.N
1
Topics
introduction
Pond
Fresh water
Types
Lake
Biggest
Fresh water
River
Running
water
Littoral,
limnetic,
profundal,
benethic
Sea
Salty
Estuarine
River meet sea
Coastal,
open,
Characteristics
Temporary,
seasonal,easily
polluted
Shallow
Running
Large areas Affected by tides,,
salinity high in
fresh water, fresh water, saline water
summer low in
permanent
DO and
ship
winter, character
water ,
nutrient
often changed
helps
more
irrigation
Structure and
function I
Abiotic
Solar
energy,air,nutri
ent,water,
temperature
Algae, rooted
plants, floating
plants
Solar energy,
temperature
O2 and CO2
bacteria, fungi
II Biotic
Producers
1.Consumers
a)1o onsumers
b)2o
Consumers
c)3o
Consumers
3.Decomposers
Temperature,
light, NaCl,
K,Ca, and Mg
Algae, rooted
plants,
floating plants
Solar
energy,air,nut
rient,water,
temperature
Algae, rooted
plants,
floating plants
bacteria, fungi
bacteria, fungi
bacteria, fungi
Temperature,
light, NaCl, K,Ca,
and Mg
Phytoplankt Marsh,grass,sea
on, diatoms
weeds,
phytoplankton
Protozoa,
Zooplankton Zooplankton Mollusks,
Oysters, crabs,
small fish
eating fishes eating fishes
fish
fish
Insects, fishes Fish, snails
Fish, snails
Shed,
Sea birds, small
mackerel,
fish
Big fish,
Big fish,
Big fish,
Cod,
Salomon, eels
hunting birds
hunting
hunting
haddocks
birds
birds
bacteria, fungi
actenomycetous
Nutrient Flow or Nutrient cycling or Biogeochemical Cycle
Nutrients
 The elements, which are essential for the survival of both plants and animals are
called nutrients.
Macronutrients : need large amount----O2, N,P, Mg,C a,P
Micronutrients: need small amount B, Co, Zn, Cu
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Nutrient Cycles
 The cyclic flow of nutrient between the biotic and abiotic components
Carbon cycle
 The movement of carbon, in its many forms, between the biosphere, atmosphere,
hydrosphere and geosphere is described by the carbon cycle.
 Carbon is the main constituents of most organic matter, from fossil fuels to the
complex molecules the control the genetic reproduction in organisms.
Example: carbohydrates, proteins, fats and amino acids.
CO2
Photosynthesis
Deposits under
earth
(petrol. coal)
Decomposition by
bacteria
Carbohydrate
in plants
Combustion
respiration
by Respiration
Carbohydrate in
animals
Death
The Carbon cycle
Nitrogen cycle
The nitrogen present in the atmosphere as N2 in large amount (78%).
Its the main constituents of most organic matter and different forms of food. useful
to growth
Example: proteins, vitamins and amino acids.
Nitrogen fixation
Atmospheric fixation: lighting is oxygen combine with air forming Nitrogen oxide
then dissolved in rain after reach in soil.
Industrial fixation: high temperature 600oC H2 and N2 combine NH3 then NH3NO3
fertilizer.
Biological fixation: nitrogen fixing bacteria is essential to maintain the fertility of semi
aquatic environment like rice paddles.
a)Nitrification: conversion of ammonia into nitrates.eg: nitrobacter bacteria
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b)Dentrification: conversion of nitrates into N2 .eg: pseudomonas bacteria
Bacteria
dentrifying
NO3
NO2
Autotrophs
Nitrates
N2
Animals
NH3
Dead of
animals
and plants
Bacteria
Decomposition
The nitrogen Cycle
phosphorous cycle
The nitrogen present in the rocks and fossils.
It’s essential for energy transport molecules and for holding DNA and RNA molecules
together. Example: bones, teeth
Plants and
animals
Synthesis of
protoplasm
Death and
Decay
Marine
Fishes
Phosphate
Rock
By
phosphatizing
Bacteria
Swallow
sediment
Dissolved
Phosphate
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BIODIVERSITY
Bio means ‘life’
diversity means ‘variety’
In our biosphere(earth) 20million species of organism but we identified only
1.4million.
Definition: the variety and variability among all groups of living organism and the
ecosystem occur.
Importance
Available variety of fish, agriculture, biological source
We depend on plants, microorganism, animals, medicine, industrial
Loss Biodiversity
Hybrid seeds as a result many plant species become extinct
Several medicinal plants disappear for pharmaceutical industries
Classification of Biodiversity
1.Genetic diversity
Genetic diversity is the diversity within species ie., variation of genes within the
species because different combination of genes
eg: a)Rice varieties b) Teak wood varieties-Indian teak, Burma teak
2.Species diversity is the diversity between different species. The sum of varieties of
all living organisms at the species level is known as species diversity.
Plant species: apple, mango, grapes, wheat rice
Animal species: lion, tiger, elephant, deer
3.Community Diversity
The diversity at the ecological or habitat is known as ecosystem diversity. A large
region with different ecosystems can be considered as ecosystems diversity.
Interaction between Living organism and physical environment
Eg: river ecosystem, grassland ecosystems
Value of biodiversity
Biosphere is a life supporting system to the human beings. Biodiversity is must for the
stability and proper functioning of the biosphere.
Classification and importance of values of biodiversity
1.consumptive use value
The variety of food items are harvested and consumed directly.
a)Food ; A large number of wild plants are consumed by human beings and animals.
Nearly 80 -90% of our food crops have been domesticated only from the tropical wild
plants.
Eg; Ceropegia bulbosa; in central Indian and western ghats.
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b)Drugs: Around 70% of modern medicines are derived from plant and plant extracts
for unani, ayurveda,and sidha.
Eg; India uses 3000 species of plants in ayurveda, Homeopathy and unani system of
medicines.
Life savings drugs like quinine (malaria), reserpine (hypertension),
pencillin(antibiotic),
30 medicines have been prepared from neem tree for eye irrigations, skin eruption
etc
c)Fuel: Firewoods are directly consumed by villagers and tribals.
2.Productive use values
Biodiversity components which is commercially harvested. This products are marked
and sold.
Eg:Animal products: silk from silk worm, musk from musk deer, Tusk from elephants
Plant products : cotton for textile industry, wood for paper industry etc
3.Social values
Social value of the biodiversity refers to the manner in which the bio-resource are
used to the society.
Eg:Holy plants: Tulsi, lotus, peepel etc
Holy animals: cow, snake, peacock, rat etc
4.Ethical values (or) Existence value
Its means that species may or may not be used, but its existence in nature gives us
pleasure.
It involves ethical issues like “all life must be preserved”.
Eg: The river Ganga is considered as holy river.
The Giraffe or Zebra not use directly but we feel that these should exist in nature.
5.Aesthetic value
The beautiful nature of plants and animals insist us to protect the biodiversity.
The people visit the beautiful areas, where they can enjoy the aesthetic value.
Eg: Wild birds, colour of flower, colour of butterfly
6.Option Values
The value of species is its potential to provide our economic benefit to human society.
Eg: The growing biotechnology field is finding species to cure the diseases such as
cancer and AIDS.
Global biodiversity
In our biosphere(earth) 20million species of organism but we identified only
1.4million species are found and given scientific names.
Terrestrial Biodiversity
1.Tropical rain forests
These are the earth’s largest store house of biodiversity. They are inhabited by
millions of species of plants, insects, birds etc
a)medicinal plants:
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More than 25% of the world’s prescription drugs are extracted from plants growing in
tropical forest.
Eg;3000 plants are try to find chemicals for curing cancer. 70% is derived only from
tropical rain forest.
b)Flowering plant:
It has been estimated that nearly 1,30,000 flowering plant species are found
available. But we know only 1-3%
2.Temperature forests:
These have much less biodiversity.
Eg: 1,70,000 flowering plants 30,000 vertebrates.
Marine Diversity
Marine diversity is much higher than terrestrial biodiversity, but it is less known and
described.
Living species estimate eg : algae=27,000No. , sponges=5,000 No., Fish=22,000 No. etc
Biodiversity at national level
The india is
I) 10th rank among the plant rich countries of the world.
ii)11th rank among the endemic species of higher vertebrates.
iii)6th rank among the centers of diversity and origin of agricultural crops.
Biodiversity at local level or Measurement of Biodiversity
1.Point richness
Number of species in single point
2.Alpha richness
Number of species in a small homogeneous small area
Eg: 100 species tunicate arctic water, 600 in tropical seas, 400 temperate water. Thus
temperature depend richness
3.Beta richness
It refers to the rate of change species composition across different habitats.
Eg: north pole ant species 10, equatorial region increase 2000
4.Gamma
It refers to the rate of change across large landscape
Biodiversity in Tamilnadu
Dense forest in salm, elephant sanctuaries in anaimalai, Tigersanctuaries in
Mundathurai, birds in vedanthangal, Western ghats has 50 species of mammals,
90reptiles, 1500 plants
Mega diversity
There are nearly 170countries in the world and 12 of them contain 70% of our
planet’s biodiversity.
India as a Mega diversity nation
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India has 89,450 animal species accounting for 7.31% of the global faunal species and
47,000 plant species which accounts for 10.8% of the world floral species. The loss of
biodiversity or endemic is about 33%.
Plants (flora)
Species
India
World
Animals
(fauna)
Species
India
World
Algae
6500
40,000
Mollusca
5,070
66.535
Fungi
14,500
72,000
Amphibia
209
5,150
Bacteria
850
4,000
Reptila
456
5,817
Gymnosperms 64
750
Mamali
390
4,629
Endemic species
The species, which are found only in a particular region is known as endemic species.
Our country has a rich endemic flora and fauna.
1.Plant diversity
Nearly 5000 flowering plants and 166 crop plant species have their origin in india.
2.Marine diversity
More than 340 coral species of the world are found here. Several species-mangrove,
seagrasses
3.Agro-biodiversity
More than 167 crop coral species of the world are found here. Species- 30,000 t0
50,000 variety of rice, mango, turmeric, ginger, sugarcane etc
4.Animal diversity
There are 75,000 animal species including 5,000 insects.
‘RED’ DATA book
1) awareness of threatening biodiversity
2) Provide global index of already decline biodiversity
3) Identification high risk extinct species
4) Help conservation action
5) Information about international agreement
HOT SPOT of biodiversity
 The hot spots are the geographic areas which possess high endemic species.
The threatened area many reduce to less than 10% original vegetation. This
area is hot spot biodiversity.
Criteria for recognizing hot spots
The richness endemic species recognize hot spot
It is derived percentage of species
The site is under threat
It should contain important gene pools of plant
Reason for Rich biodiversity in tropics
More stable climate, warm temperature, high humidity, no single species can
dominate
Area of hot spot
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Area of hot spots covering less than 2%of the world’s land are found to contain
50,000 endemic species.
In global 25 hot spots of bio diversity. Two of which are found in India.
HOT SPOT of biodiversity in India
1 Eastern Himalayas
Indo-Burma Region
2 Western Ghats
Srilanka region
Eastern Himalayas
The area comprises Nepal,Bhutan and neighboring states of northen india. There are
35,000 plant species found in Himalayas, of which 30% are endemic.
The plant species are rice, banana, citrus, ginger
a)63% mammals are from eastern Himalayas
b)60% of the Indian Birds are from north east
Western Ghats
The area comprises Maharastra, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala. Nearly 1500
endemic a)62% amphibians and 50% lizard are endemic.
The plant species Hypercium, Ternstroemia japonica animals blue bird, lizard
Treats to Biodiversity
Any disturbance in an natural ecosystem tend to reduce its biodiversity. The
environment pollution change in the system leads to a major imbalance and
threatens the normal ecological cycle.
Causes for loss of Biodiversity or various threats to Indian Biodiversity
The loss of population of interbreeding organism is caused by habitat loss. Habitat
loss threatened a wide range of animals and plants.
Factors influencing Habitat loss
1.Deforestation:
conversion agricultural land, project
2.Destructio of wetlands:
drainage, pollution
3.Habitat fragmentation:
habitat is divided into small and scattered patches
4.Raw material: production of Hybrid seed when the wild plants are raw material
5.production of drugs:
pharmaceutical companies collect wild plant
6.iilegal trade:
Illegal trade on wild life
7.Developmental activities: construction dam, industrial effluents
Poaching of wildlife
1.subsistence poaching : killing animals for food
2.Commercial poaching: Hunting and killing animals to sell the products
Factors influencing Poaching
1.Human population :
degradation of wild habitats
2.Commercial activities:
trading, smuggling for profit
Wild life products:
horns, tasks
Wealth of wild life:
richest source need developing nation eg: Asia , America
Importer of wild life:
the rich countries importer of wild life products.
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Eg: Male gorilla : hunted for body parts
Elephant:
killed for ivory
Bengal tigers: killed for fur
Remedy measures: stopped hunting, trading, not purchase furcoat, purse, crocodile
skin
Man-Wildlife Conflicts
The wild life damage and danger the man
Eg:Mumbai,powai-two men are killed by leopards
Sanjay Gandhi national park-14 persons are killed during 19 attacks by leopard
Sambalpur, Orissa – 195 humans were killed in the last 5year by elephants. In
retaliation , the villagers have killed 98 elephants and injured 30elephants
Factors influencing Man-Wildlife Conflicts
1.Shrinking of forest so wildlife move human land
2.Earlier, forest department cultivate sugarcane for elephant but not now
3.Former use electric wire so injured elephant and starts violence
4.Government gives compensation amount is low for wild animal damaging crops
value
Remedial measures
Constructional work stop in forest, adequate food need for wild animals, cropping
pattern change the border of forest, solar electric current used to prevent enter the
animals
Endangered species in India
A species is said to be endangered, when its number has been reduced to a critical
level. Unless it is protected and conserved, it is in immediate danger of extinction.
1.Extinct species:
2.Endangered species:
3.Vulnerable species:
4.Rare Species:
no longer found in the world
number has been reduced
habitat destruction or over exploitation
rare localized, thinly scattered
Group of threatened species
Plants
Birds
Mammals
Reptiles
Amphibians
Fishes
Insects
No. of threatened species
250
70
86
25
3
3
50
Important endangered Species
Reptiles:
Tortoise, python, gree sea turtle etc
Birds:
Peacock, pelican, Indian bustard etc
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Mammals: red fox, tiger,lion etc
Primates: golden monkey, capped monkey, hoolock gibbon etc
Plants:
sandal wood tree, medicinal plants eg: santalum
RED –data book; this book contains the list of endangered species of plant and
animals.
Factors affecting Endangered species
1.Pollution;
Human dispose waste products affect land, river and air then enter living things,
finally its leads to death.
2.Over –exploitation:
Over-exploitation of the natural resources and poaching of wild animals.
3.Climate change:
Green house increases the climate change so organism cannot accommodate the
change of environmental condition.
Remedial measures
International treaties on endangered species (ITES)
In 1975, the ‘convention on international trade in endangered species’ treaty not
allowed endangered species to trade commercially signed by 160 countries for 900
species. Afterwards this treaty restrict 2900 other species.
Draw backs of the treaty
But violators often pay only small fines.
Also, member countries can exempt themselves from protecting any listed species.
Endemic species
 The species, which are found only in a particular region is known as endemic
species. 1.Flora
Animal present in a particular region or period. In India 81,000 species of animals in
our large number is endemic.
Eg:Sapria himalayana, ovaria lurida
2.Fauna
Animal present in a particular region or period. In India of 47,000 species 7000 plants
are endemic. Nearly 62% of our endemic species are found in Himalayas
Eg: monitor lizards, Indian salamander
Endemic species in India
Endemic species of plants
Pteridophyta-200 species
Angiosperms-4950 species
Endemic species of Animals
Group
No. of Species
Land
878
Fresh water 89
Insecta
16214
Amphibia
110
20
Reptilia
214
Factor affecting endemic species
There are number of factors, which affect amphibians (frog) at various points in their
life cycle.
1.Habitat loss and fragmentation, because of the draining and filling of inland
wetlands.
2.Pollution also pay an important role.
Eg; overhunting of frog legs in Asia and France.
Frog eggs, tadpoles and adults are very sensitive to many pollutants especially
pesticides.
Conservation of Biodiversity
 “The management of biosphere so that it will yield the greatest sustainable
benefit to present generation while maintaining its potential to meet the needs
of future generation”
Factors affecting biodiversity
Construction of dam, pollution, pesticide, poaching, degradation of habitat, marine
ecosystem disturbed by oil spills, climate factor, global warming, acid rain
Advantages or need of biodiversity conservation
Preserve genetic diversity of plants, drug, herbs, food are important material for
animals, immediate benefit for tourism, it is life supporting system
Types (or) strategy of Biodiversity Conservation
1.In-situ conservation (within habitat)
 In situ conservation involves protection of fauna and flora within its natural
habitat, where the species normally occurs is called in –situ conservation.
Ecosystem maintained under in –situ conservation are called “protected areas”
Methods of In-situ conservation
Around 4% of the total geographical area of the country is used for in-situ
conservation.
In-situ conservation Numbers available
Biosphere Reserves
7
National Park
80
Wildlife sanctuaries
420
Botanical gardens
120
a)Biosphere Reserves
Its cover area, more than 5000sq.km. it is used to Protects species long time.
Name of biosphere
state
Nilgiri
Kerala, Karnataka,
Tamilnadu
21
Nanda devi
U.P
Manas
Assam
Gulf of mannar
Tamilnadu
Role of Biosphere reserves
Protects endangered species, land use not allowed, useful tourism, recreation,
research, education
b)National Park
Its cover area, more than 100 to 500sq.km. The conservation of wildlife along with
environment.
Name of National Park
state
wildlife
Gir national park
Gujarat
Indian lion
Periyar
Kerala
Tiger
Bandipur
Karnataka
Elephant
Kaziranga
Assam
One horned rhino
Role of National Park
Tourism, protect and develop the wild life
Restriction
Prohibited = grazing domestic animal, private rights and forestry activities
c)Wildlife sanctuaries
Which is reserved for conservation of animals only.
Name of Wildlife sanctuaries
state
wildlife
Mudumalai wildlife sanctuaries
Tamilnadu
Tiger, Elephant, Leopard
Vedanthangal birds sanctuaries Tamilnadu
Water birds
Ghana birds sanctuaries
Rajasthan
300 species of bird
Abohar wildlife sanctuaries
Punjab
Black buck
Role of wild life Sanctuaries
Protects animals, harvesting of timber, private rights and forestry activities are not
affected the animals
Restriction
Killing, hunting, shooting is protected
d)Gene sanctuary
Which is reserved for conservation of Plants only
Name of Gene sanctuary
plant
North india
citrus
North india
Pitcher (insect eating plant)
5)Other projects for conservation of animals
Protection and conservation of certain animals
Example: project tiger, Gir lion project, project elephant etc.
Advantages (or) merits of In-situ conservation
22
Its very cheap and convenient, protect from natural disasters like drought, floods,
forest fire
Disadvantages (or) merits of In-situ conservation
Maintenance not proper,pollution, not enough surface area
2.Ex-situ conservation (outside habitat)
 ‘Ex-situ conservation involves protection of fauna and flora outside the natural
habitats’ its mainly crop varieties, wildlife crop
Role of Ex-situ conservation
Identifies endangered species and maintenance
Important Ex-situ conservation
Botanical gardens, seed banks, tissue and cell culture, Zoological gardens
Methods of En-situ conservation
Name of the organization
Place
Preservation
National bureau of plant genetic New Delhi
Agriculture and
resources (NBPGR)
horticulture crops
National bureau of Animal
Karnataka,
Domestic brovine
genetic resources (NBAGR)
Haryana
animals
National Facility for plant tissue New Delhi
Crop plants, trees
culture respiratory (NFPTCR)
a)cryo preservation technique
This technique using liquid nitrogen at a temperature as low as -196oC preserve
agriculture and horticulture crops. Eg: varieties of rice, carrot, pollen, seeds, chili etc
Advantages (or) merits of In-situ conservation
Endangered species increases, food, water, shelter and also security for breeding
animals and hence longer time
Disadvantages (or) merits of In-situ conservation
Expensive, animal freedom lost, its adopted limited species, no natural environment
Biographical Classification of India
 Its depend distribution, evolution and environmental relationship of plants and
animals.
In India occupies 10th position among the plant rich countries of the world.
S.n Biogeographic zone
Biotic Province
Total area of
Biomass
1
Trans-Himalayan region
Upper region
5.7%
186200
2
3
Himalayan mountain
Desert
North west
Himalayas
West Himalayas
Central Himalayas
East Himalayas
Kutch
17%
6900
6.9%
720000
123000
83000
45000
23
4
Semi Arid
Thar
Ladakh
Central india
Gujarat-Rajwara
15.6%
18000
NA
107600
404400