Why Should We Conserve Biodiversity?

SIDDHARTH SANGHVI FOR NEETPLAY.COM Gray Frame Corner

1. Narrowly utilitarian 2. Broadly utilitarian, 3. Ethical.

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[{"selector":"#anim-60982b4f-d557-4d81-8efa-a588c1251b45 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, -22.18157911867557%) scale(1.4672897196261683)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The narrowly utilitarian Nobody knows how many more medicinally useful plants there are in tropical rain forests waiting to be explored. With increasing resources put into ‘bioprospecting’ nations endowed with rich biodiversity can expect to reap enormous benefits. White Frame Corner

Biodiversity prospecting or bioprospecting is exploring molecular, genetic and species-level diversity for products of economic importance or it is the systematic search for biochemical and genetic information in nature in order to develop commercially-valuable products for pharmaceutical, agricultural, cosmetic and other applications.

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The broadly utilitarian argument says that biodiversity plays a major role in many ecosystem services that nature provides.

The fast dwindling Amazon forest is estimated to produce, through photosynthesis, 20 per cent of the total oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere. .

Pollination (without which plants cannot give us fruits or seeds) is another service, ecosystems provide through pollinators layer – bees, bumblebees, birds and bats.

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the aesthetic pleasures of walking through thick woods, watching spring flowers in full bloom or waking up to a bulbul’s song in the morning.

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The ethical argument for conserving biodiversity relates to what we owe to millions of plant, animal and microbe species with whom we share this planet. Philosophically or spiritually, we need to realise that every species has an intrinsic value, even if it may not be of current or any economic value to us.

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How do we conserve Biodiversity?

When we conserve and protect the whole ecosystem, its biodiversity at all levels is protected - we save the entire forest to save the tiger. This approach is called in-situ (on site) conservation.

However, when there are situations where an animal or plant is endangered or threatened and needs urgent measures to save it from extinction, ex situ (off site) conservation is the desirable approach.

eminent conservationists identified for maximum protection certain ‘biodiversity hotspots’ regions with very high levels of species richness and high degree of endemism (that is, species confined to that region and not found anywhere else).

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Initially 25 biodiversity hotspots were identified but subsequently 9 more have been added to the list, bringing the total number of biodiversity hotspots in the world to 34.

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These hotspots are also regions of accelerated habitat loss. 3 of these hotspots – Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, Indo-Burma and Himalaya – cover our country’s exceptionally high biodiversity regions.

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3 of these hotspots – Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, Indo-Burma and Himalaya

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Although all the biodiversity hotspots put together cover less than 2 % of the earth’s land area, the number of species they collectively harbour is extremely high and strict protection of these hotspots could reduce the ongoing mass extinctions by almost 30 %.

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In India, ecologically unique and biodiversity-rich regions are legally protected as biosphere reserves, national parks and sanctuaries. India now has 14 biosphere reserves, 90 national parks and 448 wildlife sanctuaries.

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In India, ecologically unique and biodiversity-rich regions are legally protected as biosphere reserves, national parks and sanctuaries. India now has 18 biosphere reserves, More than 103 national parks and 537 wildlife sanctuaries.

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The Indian government has established around eighteen Biosphere Reserves in India. 12 of the 18 biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list

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– There are total 12 biosphere reserves of India which have been recognized internationally under Man and Biosphere Reserve program: Nilgiri (First to be included) Gulf of Mannar Sunderban Nanda Devi Nokrek Pachmarhi Similipal Achanakmar - Amarkantak Great Nicobar Agasthyamala Khangchendzonga (Added under Man and Biosphere Reserve Program in 2018) Panna, Madhya Pradesh (The latest included BR)

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CORE

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CORE

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BUFFER

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BUFFER

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TRASITION

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Transition zones : It is the outermost part of the biosphere reserve. It is the zone of cooperation where human ventures and conservation are done in harmony. It includes settlements, croplands, managed forests and areas for intensive recreation and other economic uses characteristics of the region.

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(b) Conventional centripetal model: the main function of buffer and transition zones is to protect the biodiversity found in the core area.

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(c) Centrifugal model: buffer and transition zones function as connectivity and restoration areas.

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(c) This facilitates the movement of native plants and animals from the strictly protected core zones into transition zones of the reserves, and even outside protected areas into anthropogenic landscapes.

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UPSC

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Sacred groves

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Sacred groves

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Conservation

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Why Should We Conserve Biodiversity?

1. Narrowly utilitarian 2. Broadly utilitarian, 3. Ethical.

There are many reasons

1. Narrowly utilitarian 2. Broadly utilitarian, 3. Ethical.

There are many reasons

The broadly utilitarian argument says that biodiversity plays a major role in many ecosystem services that nature provides.

The fast dwindling Amazon forest is estimated to produce, through photosynthesis, 20 per cent of the total oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere. .

Pollination (without which plants cannot give us fruits or seeds) is another service, ecosystems provide through pollinators layer – bees, bumblebees, birds and bats.

the aesthetic pleasures of walking through thick woods, watching spring flowers in full bloom or waking up to a bulbul’s song in the morning.

How do we conserve Biodiversity?

How do we conserve Biodiversity?

When we conserve and protect the whole ecosystem, its biodiversity at all levels is protected - we save the entire forest to save the tiger. This approach is called in-situ (on site) conservation.

However, when there are situations where an animal or plant is endangered or threatened and needs urgent measures to save it from extinction, ex situ (off site) conservation is the desirable approach.

eminent conservationists identified for maximum protection certain ‘biodiversity hotspots’ regions with very high levels of species richness and high degree of endemism (that is, species confined to that region and not found anywhere else).

Initially 25 biodiversity hotspots were identified but subsequently 9 more have been added to the list, bringing the total number of biodiversity hotspots in the world to 34.

These hotspots are also regions of accelerated habitat loss. 3 of these hotspots – Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, Indo-Burma and Himalaya – cover our country’s exceptionally high biodiversity regions.

3 of these hotspots – Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, Indo-Burma and Himalaya

Although all the biodiversity hotspots put together cover less than 2 % of the earth’s land area, the number of species they collectively harbour is extremely high and strict protection of these hotspots could reduce the ongoing mass extinctions by almost 30 %.

In India, ecologically unique and biodiversity-rich regions are legally protected as biosphere reserves, national parks and sanctuaries. India now has 14 biosphere reserves, 90 national parks and 448 wildlife sanctuaries.

old Data

In India, ecologically unique and biodiversity-rich regions are legally protected as biosphere reserves, national parks and sanctuaries. India now has 18 biosphere reserves, More than 103 national parks and 537 wildlife sanctuaries.

New Data

The Indian government has established around eighteen Biosphere Reserves in India. 12 of the 18 biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list

NFS

CORE

Biosphere Reserve zoning models. (a) Three essential, concentric zones: strictly protected core zones at the center

CORE

A core zone is a protected region, like a National Park or Sanctuary/protected/regulated mostly under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.It is kept free from human interference

BUFFER

core zones surrounded by buffer zones - admitting low impact human activities (medium gray),

BUFFER

buffer zones - It includes restoration, limited tourism, fishing, grazing, etc., which are permitted to reduce its effect on the core zone. Research and educational activities are to be encouraged.

TRASITION

buffer zones are surrounded by transition zones where more intensive development can take place (light gray).

TRASITION

(b) Conventional centripetal model: the main function of buffer and transition zones is to protect the biodiversity found in the core area.

(c) Centrifugal model: buffer and transition zones function as connectivity and restoration areas.

(c) This facilitates the movement of native plants and animals from the strictly protected core zones into transition zones of the reserves, and even outside protected areas into anthropogenic landscapes.

UPSC

Q. The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of (2014) (a) biosphere reserves (b) botanical gardens (c) national parks (d) wildlife sanctuaries Ans: (a)

Sacred groves

In many cultures, tracts of forest were set aside, and all the trees and wildlife within were venerated (पूजा) and given total protection. Such areas are known as Sacred groves

Sacred groves

Conservation

Prof. Siddharth Sanghvi