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BIODIVERSITY LOSS AND ITS ECOLOGICAL IMPACT IN INDIA

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International Journal on Biological Sciences

International Journal on Biological Sciences 8 (2) : 156-160, July-December, 2017

ISSN No.: 0976-4518; NAAS Rating 3.14; UGC Approved Journal No. 7775

BIODIVERSITY LOSS AND ITS ECOLOGICAL IMPACT IN INDIA

1 2*
Ajay Kumar and A. K. Verma
1
Dept. of Zoology, Govt. Degree College, Dhanapur - Chandauli (U.P.)
2*
Dept. of Zoology, Govt. P.G. College, Saidabad – Allahabad (U.P.)

Received: 18.10.2017 Revised: 22.11.2017 Accepted: 25.11.2017

ABSTRACT
India has varied climate and terrain and characterised by at least 10 distinct bio-geographical regions, supports a huge
variety of forest types and harbours three global terrestrial biodiversity hot spots. Most of the terrestrial biodiversity
now resides in the forest, as other terrestrial habitats have lost their natural state. An impressive protected area
network, comprising 514 wildlife sanctuaries, 99 national parks (including 18 biosphere reserves), and several sacred
groves maintained by indigenous communities, is in place. However, despite a benign forest policy and a strong
regulatory regime, forest degradation and biodiversity loss continue because of the increasing requirements of the
burgeoning human population, land use change and spread of invasive alien species. The extent and loss of
biodiversity must be continuously monitored and people attracted to participate in biodiversity conservation
rehabilitation on a massive scale.
Keywords: Biodiversity, conservation, forest, hotspots, protected area network.

INTRODUCTION such as Kaushik et al, (2008), Odum (1971), Subba Rao

(2001), Verma (2015, 2016a, 2016b, 2016c, 2016d. 2017a,
Biodiversity is formally defined by the Convention on 2017b, 2017c and 2017d), Verma et al, (2015, 2016a,
Biological Diversity (CBD) as: “the variability among 2016b, 2017a, 2017b and 2017c), Prakash et al, (2016 and
living organisms from all sources including, among others, 2017), etc. In present discussion, authors are trying to
terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the discuss the biodiversity loss and its ecological impact in
ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes India.
diversity within species, between species and of
ecosystems”. BIODIVERSITY OF INDIA
1. With only 2.4% of the world's land area, its share of the
In simple terms, biodiversity is the number and variety of global species diversity is an impressive 8.1 per cent.
organisms found within a specified geographic region. It This includes 45,500 recorded species of plants and
refers to the varieties of plants, animals and micro- 91,000 recorded species of animals.
organisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they
form. It relates to the variability among living organisms 2. There is diversity of ecological habitats like forests,
on the earth, including the variability within and between grassland, wetlands, coastal and marine ecosystems,
the species and that within and between the ecosystems. and desert ecosystems.
3. India is considered one of the world's 17 “mega
The biodiversity has already been detailed and described at diverse” countries in terms of biodiversity.
several angles from time to time by a number of scientists

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

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International Journal on Biological Sciences 8 (2) Ajay Kumar and A. K. Verma 157

4. India has four global biodiversity hot spots (Eastern 3. Ecosystem Diversity
Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats and Sri Lanka l The broad differences between ecosystem types
and Sunderland). and the diversity of habitats and ecological
processes occurring within each ecosystem type
MEGA DIVERSE COUNTRIES constitute the ecosystem diversity.
l The boundaries of communities (associations of
The mega diverse countries are a group of countries that
species) and ecosystems are not very rigidly
harbor the majority of the Earth's species and are therefore
defined.
considered extremely biodiverse. Conservation
International identified 17 mega diverse countries in 1998. l Thus, the demarcation of ecosystem boundaries is
Together, these 17 countries harbour more than 70% of the difficult and complex.
earth's species. All mega diverse countries are located in, or
partially in, tropical or subtropical regions. IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY

The identified Mega diverse Countries are: United States of Biodiversity has contributed in many ways to the
America, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, development of human culture and, in turn, human
Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, communities have played a major role in shaping the
diversity of nature at the genetic, species and ecological
Madagascar, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Papua
levels. Biodiversity plays the following roles:
New Guinea, China and Australia. The principle criterion is
endemism, first at the species level and then at higher
taxonomic levels such as genus and family. To qualify as a 1. Ecological Roles
Mega diverse Country, a country must have at least 5000 of Species of many kinds perform some or the other
the world's plants as endemics and marine ecosystems within functions in an ecosystem. Every organism, besides
its borders. Despite endemism being the main criterion, extracting its needs, also contributes something useful
thresholds for the criteria are flexible and countries have been to other organisms. The species capture and store
considered individually based on all criteria. energy, produce and decompose organic materials,
help to cycle water and nutrients throughout the
LEVELS OF BIODIVERSITY ecosystem, fix atmospheric gases and help regulate the
climate. Thus, they help in soil formation, reducing
Biodiversity is generally described at three levels: Genetic pollution, protection of land, water and air resources.
diversity, Species diversity and Ecosystem diversity. These functions are important for ecosystem function
and human survival.
1. Genetic Diversity: 2. Economic Roles
l Genetic biodiversity refers to the variation of Biodiversity is an important resource in day-to-day
genes within species. life. One important part of biodiversity is 'crop
diversity', which is also called agro-biodiversity.
l Groups of individual organisms having certain
Biodiversity is seen as a reservoir of resources to be
similarities in their physical characteristics are
drawn upon for the manufacture of food,
called species. pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products. This concept
l Human beings genetically belong to the homo- of biological resources is responsible for the
sapiens group and also differ in their deterioration of biodiversity. Some of the important
characteristics such as height, colour, physical economic commodities that biodiversity supplies to
appearance, etc., considerably. This is due to humankind are: food crops, livestock, forests, fish,
genetic diversity. medicinal resources, etc.
l The genetic diversity is essential for a healthy 3. Scientific Roles
breeding of population of species. Biodiversity is important because each species can
give us some clue as to how life evolved and will
2. Species Diversity: continue to evolve. Biodiversity also helps in
l This refers to the variety of species. understanding how life functions and the role of each
l It relates to the number of species in a defined species in sustaining ecosystems of which we are also a
area. species.
l The diversity of species can be measured through
4. Social/Cultural Services:
its richness, abundance and types. Some areas are Diversity of nature provides us aesthetic pleasure. It
richer in species than others. Areas rich in species provides us recreational avenues and rich biological
diversity are called hotspots of diversity.

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158 Biodiversity Loss and its Ecological Impact in India..... JULY-DECEMBER 2017

diversity encourages tourism in the region. Many 3. Over-exploitation: Over-hunting, over-fishing or

communities and cultures have co-evolved with the over-collecting of a species can quickly lead to its
surroundings and the resources provided by a decline. Changing consumption patterns of humans is
biologically diverse environment. Hence, it performs often cited as the key reason for this unsustainable
an important social role as well. Important services exploitation of natural resources. Many species
which it provides are: extinctions in the last 500 years (Steller's sea cow,
l Recreation and Relaxation passenger pigeon) were due to overexploitation by
l Tourism especially eco-tourism humans.

l Art, Design and Inspiration 4. Alien species invasions: When alien species are
introduced unintentionally or deliberately for any
l Spiritual experiences and a sense of place purpose, some of them turn invasive, and cause decline
or extinction of indigenous species.
It is our ethical responsibility to consider that each and
every species along with us have an intrinsic right to exist. 5. Co-extinctions: When a species becomes extinct, the
Hence, it is morally wrong to voluntarily cause the plant and animal species associated with it in an
extinction of any species. The level of biodiversity is a good obligatory way also become extinct. When a host fish
indicator of the state of our relationships with other living species becomes extinct, its unique assemblage of
species. parasites also meets the same fate.

LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY 6. Global climate change: Both climate variability and

climate change cause biodiversity loss. Species and
l The colonisation of tropical Pacific Islands by humans populations may be lost permanently, if they are not
is said to have led to the extinction of more than 2,000 provided with enough time to adapt to changing
species of native birds. climatic conditions.
l The IUCN Red List (2004) documents the extinction 7. Hunting and Poaching: Because of this, not only the
of 784 species (including 338 vertebrates, 359 particular species become prone to extinction but also
invertebrates and 87 plants) in the last 500 years. the other species dependent on that species.
l Some examples of recent extinctions include the dodo
(Mauritius), quagga (Africa), thylacine (Australia), BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
Steller's Sea Cow (Russia) and three subspecies (Bali, Biodiversity is important for human existence. All forms of
Javan, Caspian) of tiger. life are so closely interlinked that disturbance in one gives
rise to imbalance in the others. If species of plants and
l The last twenty years alone have witnessed the animals become endangered, they cause degradation in the
disappearance of 27 species. environment, which may threaten human beings own
The biological wealth of the planet has been declining existence.
rapidly. Important causes are:
There are two approaches in biodiversity conservation:
1. Natural causes like floods, earthquakes and other
natural disasters. 1. In situ conservation: It is the approach of protecting an
2. Habitat loss and fragmentation: This is the most endangered plant or animal species in its natural habitat,
important cause driving animals and plants to either by protecting or cleaning up the habitat itself, or by
extinction. The most dramatic examples of habitat loss defending the species from predators. Some methods under
come from tropical rain forests. Once covering more it are:
than 14 per cent of the earth's land surface, these rain l Biosphere Reserves
forests now cover no more than 6 per cent.
l National Parks
Besides total loss, the degradation of many habitats by l Wild-life Sanctuaries
pollution also threatens the survival of many species. When
large habitats are broken up into small fragments due to 2. Ex-situ conservation: In this approach, threatened
various human activities, mammals and birds requiring animals and plants are taken out from their natural habitat
large territories and certain animals with migratory habits and placed in special setting where they can be protected
are badly affected, leading to decline of population. Habitat and given special care.
loss is caused by deforestation, over-population, pollution,
global warming etc. l Zoological parks, botanical gardens and wildlife
safari parks serve this purpose.

158
International Journal on Biological Sciences 8 (2) Ajay Kumar and A. K. Verma 159

l In recent years ex situ conservation has advanced 2. Odum E.P. Fundamentals of Ecology. W.B. Saunders
beyond keeping threatened species in enclosures. Company, Japan, 3rd edition. (1971).
l Now gametes of threatened species can be 3. Prakash S. and Verma A.K. (2016): Conservation
preserved in viable and fertile condition for long Status of fresh water fishes reported in Alwara lake of
periods using cryopreservation techniques, eggs District Kaushambi (U.P.). International Journal of
can be fertilised in vitro, and plants can be Zoology Studies 1(5): 32-35 pp.
propagated using tissue culture methods.
4. Prakash S. and Verma A.K. (2017): IUCN
l Seeds of different genetic strains of commercially Conservation Status of Fishes of Khanwari Pond of
important plants can be kept for long periods in District Kaushambi (U.P.); Proceedings of The
seed banks. Zoological Society of India. 16(1): 81-84pp.
There is an increasing consciousness of the fact that such 5. Subba Rao S. (2001): Ethics of Ecology and
conservation with sustainable use is possible only with the Environment. Rajat Publications, New Delhi.
involvement and cooperation of local communities and 6. Verma A.K. (2015): Values and need of biodiversity
individuals. For this, the development of institutional
conservation. Bioherald: An International of
structures at local levels is necessary. The critical issue is
Biodiversity and Conservation; 5(1-2) 77-79 pp.
not merely the conservation of species nor the habitat but
the continuation of process of conservation. The world 7. Verma A.K. (2016a): Dominancy of Cypriniformes
conservation strategy has suggested the following steps for fishes in Alwara lake of District Kaushambi (U.P.).
biodiversity conservation: International Journal on Agricultural Sciences. 7 (1):
1. Efforts should be made to preserve the species that are 89-91 pp.
endangered. 8. Verma A.K. (2016b): Distribution and Conservation
2. Prevention of extinction requires proper planning and Status of Cat Fishes in Alwara Lake of District
management. Kaushambi (U.P.). International Journal on
Environmental Sciences. 7 (1): 72-75 pp.
3. Varieties of food crops, forage plants, timber trees,
livestock, animals and their wild relatives should be 9. Verma A.K. (2016c): Biodiversity: Its Different
preserved; Levels and Values. International Journal on
4. Each country should identify habitats of wild relatives Environmental Sciences. 7 (2): 142-144 pp.
and ensure their protection. 10. Verma A.K. (2016d): A Preliminary Survey of Fresh
5. Habitats where species feed, breed, rest and nurse their Water Fishes in Muntjibpur Pond of Allahabad (U.P.).
young should be safeguarded and protected. Indian Journal of Biology. DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijb. 2394.1391.3216.2.
6. International trade in wild plants and animals should
be regulated. 3(2): 99-101 pp.

FURTHER READING 11. Verma A.K. (2017a): Distribution and Conservation

Status of Fishes reported from Muntjibpur Pond of
1. Biodiversity A-Z. “Biodiversity Hotspots”. Allahabad (U.P.). International Journal of Scientific
2. Campbell, AK (2003). “Save those molecules: World, doi: 10.14419/ijsw.v5i1.7162. 5 (1) 50-53pp.
molecular biodiversity and life.” Journal of Applied 12. Verma A.K. (2017b): Environmental Ethics: Need to
Ecology 40 (2):193-203. Rethink. International Journal on Environmental
3. Gaston, Kevin J. (11 May 2000). “Global Patterns in Sciences; 8(1): 7-9 pp.
biodiversity”. Nature 405 (6783) 220-227.
13. Verma A.K. (2017c): Genetic Diversity as Buffer in
4. Global Biodiversity Assessment. UNEP, 1995. Biodiversity. Indian Journal of Biology. DOI:
5. Threats to Biodiversity: Pollution (Shmoop Biology). http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijb.2394.1391.4117.9.
4(1): 61-63 pp.
6. UNEP, Wikipedia: Free Encyclopaedia.
14. Verma A.K. (2017d): Multiple effects of
7. World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
Unsustainable Agriculture. International Journal on
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