Mppsc, Pre, Unit-7, (Updated_2024-25), §Biodiversity§

§Biodiversity:- "The variety of life on the Earth, including different types of plants, animals, micro-organisms & ecosystem they live in."

∆} Biodiversity found on the Earth.

∆} Many millions of distinct biological species found in the biodiversity.

∆} In biodiversity, found the interrelatedness of - Genes, Species & Ecosystem.

∆} Conservation & Sustainable use of biological diversity is fundamental to ecologically sustainable development.

∆} Three levels of biodiversity- Genes, Species & Ecosystem.

∆}Genetic diversity:- 

#) Variation in genes, within perticular species.

#) Allows species to adapt to changing environments.

#) Some species survive drastic change.

#) Survival of individual insures the survival of population.

#) Gives us- Butterflies, Roses, Parakeets & Coral.

∆}Species:- 

#) Variety of living organisms on the earth.

#) Species differ from on another.

#) 98.4% genes of Humans & Chimpanzees are the same.

#) "Zero"- Infinity diversity.

#) "One"- Only one.

∆} Ecosystem:- 

#) Different types of habitats.

#) Examples- Corals , Grasslands, Desert, Mangrove etc.

#) Change in climatic conditions accompanied by- change in vegetation.

#) Variety of species in the ecosystem influenced by - Nature of Ecosystem.

∆} We can measure the biodiversity by two major components:- 

A) Species Richness 

B) Species Evenness

A}  Spicies Richness:- 

#) "Measure the number of species."

#) Alpha:- ×} Within perticular area.

×} Expressed by - Number of species.

#) Beta :- ×} Change in the amount of species between ecosystem.

#) Gamma :- ×} Measure of overall diversity.

B} Spicies Evenness :- 

#) "Measure the proportion of species."

#) Low Evenness - Few species dominate the site.

∆} Building blocks of Plants, Animals & Humans are identical, are made up of four elements as - Carbon, Oxygen , Nitrogen & Hydrogen.

∆} Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen & Hydrogen are present in the environment.

∆} "Only green plants can absorb nitrogen from soil through their roots & use sunlight & water to produce energy by a process, called - Photosynthesis."

∆} Green plants are called - Producers.

∆} Chain that links consumers to producers, called - Food Chain.

∆} Every living creature is found the Food Chain.

∆} Tampering with food-chain  - only produces negative results leads to destruction of species.

∆} Services provided by Biodiversity :- 

#) Ecosystem Services

#) Biological Services

#) Social Services 

∆} As, Protection of water resources

∆} Soil formation & protection 

∆} Nutrient storage & recycling 

∆} Pollution breakdown & absorption 

∆} Contribution to climate stability 

∆} medicinal resources & pharmaceutical drugs.

∆} Ornamental plants 

∆} Breeding stock 

∆} Wood- Products

∆} Recreation & Tourism 

∆} Cultural values 

∆} Biodiversity Loss:-

#) Either perticular species destroyed or essential habitat damaged.

#) Extinction of species due to -  Economic gain, Hunted, Sports, Food.

#) Natural causes- Flood, Earthquake, Landslide, Lack of Pollination & Diseases.

#) Man-made causes- Habitat destruction, Pollution, Hunting & Poaching, Destruction of Coastal areas, Filling up of wetlands.

∆} Biodiversity Conservation:- "Conservation of ecological diversity & preserve the continuity of food- chain."

∆} Modes of Conservation:- 

A) Ex-Situ:- ∆} Conserving biodiversity outside the areas where they naturally occurs.

∆} Animals are rared & plants are cultivated, like Zoological Park & Botanical garden.

∆} Imp centres for Ex-Situ conservation - Seed banks, Botanical, Horticulture & Recreation.

B) In-Situ:- ∆} Conserving plants and animals in their natural habitat.

∆} Ex.:- National Park, Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserve, Reserved Forest & Protected Forest.

∆}Constraints in Biodiversity Conservation:-

 ×} Low Priority for conservation of natural resources.

 ×} Exploitation of natural resources.

 ×} Unplanned urbanization & uncontrolled industrialisation.

 ×} Values & knowledge about species is -Inadequate.

∆} Botanical garden:- "Scientifically planned & collection of living trees, shrubs, herbs, climbers & other plants, from various parts of the world."

∆}Aim:- 

×}Study the taxonomy & growth of plants.

×}Acclimatization process of - Exotic Plants.

×}Development of new hybrids.

×}Conservation of rare & threatened species.

∆} Zoo:- "Establishment either stationary or mobile, where captive animals are kept for exhibition to the public."

×} It includes - Circus & Rescue Centre.

×} Initial purpose- Entertainment.

×} " Saving individual animals & species conservation" too.