BIODIVERSITY AND LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY

Published on 28 Nov 2024

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the total sum of richness of species, i.e., the number of species of plants, animals and microorganisms occurring in a given habitat. 

• Example: Tropical rainforest ecosystem which encompasses a wide range of species, both plant and animal.

• Classification: Biodiversity is classified into three main levels:

• Genetic diversity: It refers to the difference in DNA among individuals that helps in their adaptation and resilience to environmental challenges.

• Example: Different varieties of rice

• Species diversity: It is the variety of species in a given area. The higher the species diversity, the higher the stability and productivity of an ecosystem.

• Example: Coral reef ecosystem

• Ecosystem diversity: It is the variety of habitats, ecosystems, and communities. Each ecosystem plays a different role in balancing ecological equilibrium.

• Example: Deserts, marshes, forests, grasslands, and the ocean are examples of ecological diversity.

Importance of a Healthy Biodiversity

• Economic Importance 

• Pharmaceuticals and medicine: Bioactive compounds for medicines are derived from plants, animals and organisms.

• Example: Aspirin is derived from the willow tree bark and is used as a pain reliever and antipyretic.

• Eco-Tourism: Rich biodiversity areas attract tourists that create economic opportunities for local communities.

• Example: Thenmala Eco-Tourism in Kerala

• Fuel source: Biodiversity provides fossil fuel, petrol and natural gas.

• Ecological importance

• Nutrient recycling: It mainly involves the recycling of organic waste or residual sources from agricultural, industrial and communal activities.

• Example: Nitrosomonas bacteria convert ammonium into nitrite (NO2-), and Nitrobacter bacteria convert nitrite into nitrate.

• Risk reduction from natural disasters: Rich biodiversity can save lives from natural disaster risk.

• Example: Vetiver grass system as an eco-friendly solution to flooding, landslides, slope stabilization and erosion control.

• Other importance

• Research and development: Systematic ecological data is provided by biodiversity, which helps us understand the natural world and its origins.

Reasons for loss of biodiversity

• Introduction of invasive species: Invasive species out-compete native species for food, water and space, and are one of the main causes of global biodiversity loss.

• Example: Invasive alien tree Senna spectabilis easily colonises the landscape by destroying the native vegetation in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Overexploitation of natural resources: Overfishing and unsustainable hunting are some of the major reasons for biodiversity loss.

• Example: World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reports that overhunting accounts for 23% of extinctions.

• Pollution: Air pollution, water pollution and soil pollution also play an important role in the loss of biodiversity.

• Example: Marine plastic pollution has increased tenfold since 1980, affecting at least 267 animal species. (UNEP)

• Climate change: Global warming is already affecting species and ecosystems around the world, particularly the most vulnerable ecosystems such as coral reefs, mountains and polar ecosystems.

• Example: Some 97.85 mha of India’s total geographical area underwent land degradation according to the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India.

• Land Use Change: Ecosystems are altered when lands are changed for construction, agriculture, etc. which results in the extinction of native species.

• Example:  According to UNEP, since 1990, around 420 million hectares of forest have been lost through conversion to other land uses.

• Disease: Emerging diseases can have severe effects on wildlife populations as they are frequently spread by human activity or the movement of other species.

• Example: Tasmanian tiger was hunted to extinction by humans, but a disease called canine distemper virus also contributed to their decline.

• Habitat loss and degradation: The destruction of natural habitat due to human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture can lead to the loss of species.

• Example: Dodo, a flightless bird became extinct due to habitat loss and hunting by humans and invasive species.

Government initiatives and policy measures

• Wildlife Protection Act 1972: The act allows for the establishment of Protected Areas to safeguard wildlife, as well as the imposition of punishments for hunting certain species listed in schedules I to IV.

• Establishment of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau: To combat the illicit trafficking in wildlife, particularly endangered species.

• Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010 have been framed for the protection of wetlands, in the States.

• Biological Diversity Act 2002: It aims to conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable use of biological resources, regulate access to genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization.

• Environment Protection Act 1986: The objective of providing for the protection of the environment. It empowers the Central Government to establish authorities charged with the mandate of preventing environmental pollution in all its forms.

• Forest Conservation Act 1980: It embodies the firm commitment of the Government of India to balance the conservation of forests with the sustainable development needs of the country.

International initiatives

• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): It is a neutral space in which governments, NGOs, scientists, local communities, etc. can work together to solve environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

• The United Nations Environment Program is involved in assessing and monitoring the biodiversity crisis worldwide. This led to the creation of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

• Ramsar convention: It was signed for the conservation of wetlands and to allow their sustainable use.

• Bonn Challenge: It is a global effort to restore 150 million hectares of the world's lost and degraded land by 2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030.

• World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF): It is an NGO involved in biodiversity conservation which is one of its primary objectives.

Way Forward

• Sustainable Land Use Practices: Implement urban planning strategies that minimize habitat destruction, include green spaces and prioritize sustainable development.

• Example: Yadadri model of plantation in Telangana to create a mini forest.

• Prevent and control invasive species: Measures are taken to prevent the introduction of alien species and to control or eliminate invasive species that threaten the local flora and fauna.

• Strengthening regulatory framework: Strengthening and enforcing the regulatory framework from grassroots to international levels. It is important to check that these regulations are based on the latest scientific information.

• Conduct Biodiversity surveys: Regularly assess the health of ecosystems and species to understand population trends, identify threats, and guide conservation efforts.

• Sharing of knowledge and best practices: To facilitate the exchange of knowledge, techniques and best practices between countries and organizations involved in biodiversity conservation.

• Apply ecosystem-based management: Focus on managing whole ecosystems, not individual species, to ensure the health and sustainability of interconnected habitats.

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Keywords:
Biodiversity Ecosystem Classification of Biodiversity Reasons for loss of biodiversity Government initiatives and policy measures related to biodiversity loss.