Chapter 3

Biodiversity and its conservation

1. Define biodiversity.

Answer:  This definition is used to describe the number of living things, the variety and differences of all forms of animals on Earth. Biodiversity includes the genes in billions of plants, animals and microorganisms. Biodiversity is generally described in three stages: genetic, species and ecological biodiversity.

2. Explain with examples: Genetic (or genetic) diversity, species diversity and ecological diversity.

Answer: Genetic diversity- Genetic biodiversity is the diversity of genes in the body of a species  . These genes are passed on from generation to generation. This is a kind of diversity that creates a diversity of species. One example of this is that Bachmati rice is quite different from Jaha rice. Some differences are easily visible to the naked eye; For example, size and color, taste and smell. In other words, it can also be perceived through feelings.

        Species diversity-  Species are considered as a group that classifies the different types of organisms on Earth. Each species is completely different from the other species. Horses and donkeys are completely different species. Similarly, lions and tigers are completely different species. Members of a species are genetically similar enough to reproduce. These similarities have united the species. Species diversity is usually measured in terms of the total number of species living in a given area.

        Ecosystems Biodiversity:  Ecosystems are the interactions of different types of organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms) with each other and with inorganic components (soil, air, water, minerals, etc.). Therefore, ecology is the diversity of habitats of organisms, which includes different types of organisms within this system. The concept of ecosystem diversity is also applied to ecosystem diversity within any biogeographical or political boundary.

3. What are the values of biodiversity?

Answer: There are many kinds of plants and animals on this earth. This diversity meets the needs of billions of people worldwide for food, medicine, clothing, shelter, spirituality, and recreation. This diversity ensures the continuity of processes in the ecosystem, such as clean water supply, nutrient cycling and soil conservation. In short, the loss of biodiversity is a threat to the very existence of mankind.

4. The What is consumer value ?

Answer: 

5. What is productive value?

Answer:  Productive goods are goods that are commercially manufactured from various sources of biodiversity. Even today, a large number of traditional communities depend wholly or partly on biodiversity for their daily needs, food, shelter, specialty items, household items, medicines, fertilizers and recreation. Elephant teeth, jute cloth made from jute larvae, wool cloth made from wool, la produced from la insects etc. are derived from animal diversity. Many industries are mainly dependent on plant materials These include paper and paper mill industry, sugar industry, plywood industry, railway root industry, etc.

6. What are the major threats to biodiversity ?

Answer:  Extinction of species is a natural process of evolution. However, the recent extinction of numerous species has been discussed at various national and international levels.

       The changing attitudes of human society towards the environment in general and biodiversity in particular have reached a stage where biodiversity conservation has become a major challenge. The threats to biodiversity from various aspects are:

(a) Habitat destruction

(b) Over-roaming of livestock

(c) Poaching

(d) Natural disasters

(e) Climate change and global warming

(f) Smuggling of living resources

7. What is external and internal conservation of biodiversity ? Give examples of each.

Answer: External conservation of biodiversity: External conservation is the removal of plants and animals from their natural habitat to another place. This can be a zoo and botanical garden or a forest institute and agricultural research centre. Many efforts have been made to collect and preserve the genetic (or genetic) material of crop, animal, bird and fish species. This has been done through various agencies like National Bureau of Plant Genetic Research (New Delhi), National Bureau of Animal Genetic Research (Karnal). 

            Internal conservation of biodiversity:  Internal conservation is the conservation of wild plants and animals in their natural habitat, ie in their own habitat. For example, biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, protected forests, etc. There are now more than 533 national parks and sanctuaries in India, some reserved across the country. The reserve covers 4.3 per cent of the country's total land area. Such measures have helped in the conservation of habitats and biodiversity in those places. The Asiatic Rhino is conserved through the Kaziranga National Park and the Pabitra Wildlife Sanctuary. Manah Biosphere Reserve (Manah National Park) is a breeding ground for golden monkeys and tube pigs.

8. What is bioresource smuggling (or biopiracy) ?

Answer:  Biopiracy is the transfer of living resources from one country to another and the patent or rights to the products. Some company agents or middlemen collect this traditional knowledge or valuable biological materials and use them to obtain their own patents Thus they acquire the right to trade in these goods through unethical processes. Smuggling or biopiracy of certain valuable resources is a threat to biodiversity.

9. Mention two biodiversity conservation measures in our country.

Answer:  There are two biodiversity conservation systems in our country:

        (1) Kaziranga National Park and Pabitra Wildlife Sanctuary are among the internal conservation systems. It preserves the Asian average.

     (2)  National Bureau of Plant Genetic Research, National Bureau of Animal Genetic Research within external conservation systems.

10. In which year was the Earth Conference held ?

Answer:  The Earth Conference was held in