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A colorful and informative presentation about conservation of flora and fauna.
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What is Biodiversity ? Biodiversity or biological diversity refers to the existence of a wide range of different types of organisms in a given place at a given time. It means the variety of life on Earth and the variability among living organisms, and their interactions both within the species and between species, and between ecosystems. The plants and animals found in a particular region are known as flora and fauna respectively, of that region. They together form the biodiversity of the area. There is biodiversity in nearly every corner of the Earth – even in a desolate place like deserts. In a deserts, we may see only a few life forms such as shrubs, cacti, reptiles, a few bird species and a few rodents. However, the sand reveals millions of tiny microorganisms playing their part in the desert ecology. Among these tiny organisms there may be hundreds or even thousands of different species.
In a tropical rainforest, in an area of 10 sq. m, one may encounter tens of thousands of different species of plants and fungi , reptiles, amphibians, primates, insects, microorganisms, birds, and larger mammals such as predatory cats, monkeys, rodents and elephants. Rainforests are full of many life forms and are therefore often described as ‘living jungles’ where hundreds of living organisms are seen at any time. India has a rich and varied biodiversity, with several habitats ranging from tropical rainforests to alpine vegetation, from temperate forests to coastal wetlands. Its flora consists of about 15,000 species of plants. Its fauna has almost 400 varieties of mammals, around 1250 species of birds and more than 30,000 species of insects. Besides, there are a number of species of fish, amphibians and reptiles. The flora and fauna of a country are very important renewable natural resources. The management of forests and wildlife resources is therefore an important task.
Threat to biodiversity • Many animals and plants are increasingly threatened because of international trade in wildlife and wildlife products. For example specific body parts like skins (tigers), furs (bears and foxes), bones, ivory (elephants), bile, skeletons and claws (tiger) are highly valued as ornaments, jewellery, or as medicines. • Plants and animals suffer when humans destroy their habitats to get additional agricultural land and commercial land. • Pollution because of human activities , and the resultant global warming and climate change, have also reduced the number of species in the biodiversity . • Introduction of exotic species around the world is also a threat to biodiversity.
Deforestation Forests are an important renewable resources. They provide resources such as timber, paper, resin, rubber, lac and medicines. Forests provide habitat for many kinds of organisms. They play a very important role in controlling soil erosion and conserving groundwater. They are also the only natural source of oxygen and help maintain the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The play an important role in the water cycle and help in increasing rainfall. Forests are being destroyed to meet the increasing demands of land for houses and farms, and wood for fuel and construction. This is creating a tremendous impact on the environment. Deforestation is the removal of trees from an area of land.
Let’s know some more: Biodiversity: Deforestation on a human scale results in decline in biodiversity. Forests support biodiversity, providing habitat for wildlife, moreover, forests foster medicinal conservation. With forest biotopes being irreplaceable source of new drugs, deforestation can destroy genetic variations irretrievably.
Threats to the biodiversity Jared Diamond describes an “Evil Quartet” habitat destruction, overkill, introduced species, and secondary extinctions. • Habitat Destruction • Genetic Pollution • Over exploitation • Hybridization, genetic pollution/erosion, food security. • Climate Change • Over population.
Deforestation The term deforestation is often misused to describe any activity where all trees in an area are removed. However in temperate climates, the removal of all trees in an area – in conformance with sustainable forestry practices – is correctly described as regeneration harvest.
