Course Code 1202 Course Title: Fundamentals of ecology and biodiversity

1. Biodiversity and its conservation
Lecture on
Md. Abdullah-Al-Mahbub
 Assistant Professor
 Assistant Proctor
 Director, External Affairs (Former)
 Assistant Provost (Former)
Dept. of Disaster Management
Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur
Course code: 1202
Title: Fundamentals of Ecology & Biodiversity

2. 3.1 Concept of biodiversity
3.2 Types of biodiversity
3.3 Significance of biodiversity
3.4 Threats to biodiversity
3.5 Conservation of biodiversity

3. 3.1 Concept of biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or for
the entire Earth.
The word biodiversity was first used in 1980. It first got the publicity on world
media in 1992 summit on Environment in Rio De Genero in Brazil. Now a day it
indicates the number, variety and variability of bios in an area.
Bio – life (plants & animals)
Diversity - different
Biodiversity is amount of different species in a habitat.
That habitat could be a tide pool or the entire Earth!
Biodiversity is an indicator of how HEALTHY a habitat is.
The more diversity, the healthier the habitat.
Rapid environmental changes like climate change usually cause diversity to
decrease.
Scientists monitor (watch) biodiversity to see if the health of the habitat is
declining. They then look for ways to protect that habitat.

4. 3.1 Concept of biodiversity

5. The biodiversity found on Earth today consists of many millions of distinct
biological species, which is the product of nearly 3.5 billion years of evolution.
About 2.1 million species have been identified till date, while many more species
are believed to exist. According to UNEP estimate, approximately 9.0 – 52 million
of species exist on Earth.
Biodiversity hotspots
Regions with very high biodiversity are called biodiversity hotspots.
Biodiversity is not uniformly distributed across the geographical regions of the
earth. Certain regions of the world are very rich in biodiversity. We call such areas
as “biodiversity hotspots”.
Regions are mainly in the tropics, also islands, and some other areas.
3.1 Concept of biodiversity

6. 3.2 Types of biodiversity
3.2.1 Genetic diversity
Genetic diversity refers to the genetic variation within a species, which describes
the tendency of genetic characteristics to vary. Or, genetic diversity is the
combination of different genes found within a population of a single species, and
the pattern of variation found within different populations of the same species.
For example,
If we think of a group of people in our street, or within your own family,
– no two will be exactly alike.
All are humans, but all are different. These differences are due to genetic
diversity, that is, the variety of genes within a species.

7. 3.2.1 Genetic diversity
3.2 Types of biodiversity

8. 3.2.1 Genetic diversity
3.2 Types of biodiversity

9. 3.2.2 Species diversity
The variety of species within a community or a geographical area.
A species can be defined as a group or population of similar organisms that
reproduce by interbreeding within the group.
For example, if we think of a forest in our country, there are different
types of living things on Earth (flora and fauna). Such as plants, bacteria, fungi,
insects, mammals, human etc. Different species have different roles to play within
ecosystems.
3.2 Types of biodiversity

10. 3.2.2 Species diversity
3.2 Types of biodiversity

11. 3.2.3 Community and ecosystem diversity
The variation of habitats, community types, and abiotic environments present in
a given area. It refers to the presence of different types of ecosystems.
There are many different kinds of ecosystems, from deserts to mountain slopes,
the ocean floor to the Antarctic, with coral reefs and rainforests being amongst the
richest of these systems.
Coastal forest Dry open forest River valley
Figure 3.2 Community and ecosystem diversity.
3.2 Types of biodiversity

12. 3.2.3 Community and ecosystem diversity
Each ecosystem provides many different kinds of habitats or living places. It has 3
perspectives:
Alpha Diversity: Within community diversity. It refers to the diversity of organisms sharing
the same community/habitat.
Beta Diversity: Between community diversity. It refers to the diversity of organisms sharing
two habitats.
Gamma Diversity: Diversity of the habitat over the total landscape or geographical area.
3.2 Types of biodiversity

13. 3) Community and Ecosystem
diversity
Variation among ecosystems,
communities, landscapes.
2) Species diversity
Numbers of species within an area.
1) Genetic diversity
Genetic variation within populations
or species.
3.2 Types of biodiversity

14. 3.3 Significance of biodiversity
Biodiversity is an extremely important part of life on Earth. It is not only the variety
of living organisms on our planet, but also the interdependence of all these living
things, including humans. Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each
species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play. For example,
 A larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops.
 Greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms.
 Healthy ecosystems can better resist and recover from a variety of disasters.
 And so, while we dominate this planet, we still need to preserve the diversity
in wildlife.

15. The significance (values or Importance) of biodiversity may be mentioned under
the following heads:
1. Ecosystem services, such as
 Protection and purify of water resources
 Purification of air
 Soils formation, maintain fertility, nutrient storage and recycling
 Pollution breakdown and absorption
 Climate regulation
 Maintenance of ecosystems
 Recovery from unpredictable events
3.3 Significance of biodiversity

16. 2. Biological resources, such as
 Food
 Medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs
 Ornamental plants
 Wood products, timber
 Fuel wood. Fossil fuels are also products of Biodiversity
 Breeding material for crop improvement
3. Economic values, such as
 Food, about 80,000 edible plants and about 90% of present day food crops
have been domesticated from wild.
 Fuel, forests have been used since ages for fuel wood. Fossil fuels are also
products of Biodiversity.
 Medicines and other helpful chemicals, about 75% of world’s populations
depend on plants or plant extracts.
 Genes for better crops
 Timber
 Pharmaceutical Products
3.3 Significance of biodiversity

17. 4. Social benefits, such as
 Research, education and monitoring
 Recreation and tourism
 Cultural values
5. Species depend on each other
 While there might be “survival of the fittest” within a given species, each
species depends on the services provided by other species to ensure
survival.
3.3 Significance of biodiversity

18. Almost all scientists acknowledged that the rate of species loss is greater
now than at any time in human history. So this loss of species is a serious
threatened to the biodiversity. The main cause of the loss of biodiversity can
be recognized to the influence of human beings on the natural ecosystem.
We can understand this better by explaining the following main points:
1. Changes and destruction of natural habitats
2. Human population growth
3. Over exploitation
4. Environmental pollution
5. Climate change
6. Construction of dam
3.3 Significance of biodiversity

19. 3.5 Conservation of biodiversity
Conservation is the wise use and planned management of natural resources in
such a way that the needs of present generation are met and at the same time
leaving enough for the future generations.
During the last century, degradation of biodiversity has been increasingly observed.
Almost all scientists acknowledged that the rate of species loss is greater now than
at any time in human history. So this loss of biodiversity is a serious threatened to
the environment.
Protection of biodiversity is also protection of water, soil, air, and other resources.
Without protection of biodiversity, many of the other plans for protection become
significantly less effective. Conservation efforts can be grouped into the following
two categories:
In-situ conservation
Ex-situ conservation

20. In-situ conservation
The protection of plants and animals within their natural habitats or in protected
areas is called in-situ (on-site) conservation.
Ex-situ conservation
The conservation of plants and animals outside their natural habitats is called ex-
situ (off-site) conservation.
These include botanical gardens, zoo, gene banks, seek bank, tissue culture and
cryopreservation.
For example, there are more than 1500 Botanical gardens in the world
containing more than 80,000 species. There are more than 800 zoos around the
world with about 3,000 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Cryopreservation is the process of freezing viable germplasm for stable, long-term storage in
liquid nitrogen, is an essential service for modern mouse based genomics. It is a safe method
for preserving both pre-implantation embryos and sperm that can be easily recovered to revive
the line.
3.5 Conservation of biodiversity

21. 3.4.1 What can you do in conserving biodiversity?
Biodiversity benefits everyone and we need to work together to conserve
biodiversity. Conservation of biodiversity is a shared resource and a shared
responsibility. Everybody has a role to play in conserving biodiversity. From the
smallest individual action to a national campaign, every contribution helps.
Here are a few of the ways in which individuals can choose to conserve
biodiversity:
1. Take positive action to enrich the biodiversity of your local area. For this,
planting nectar-rich flowers to attract butterflies, or planting fruit-bearing
trees and shrubs to attract birds, in the garden, even in the heart of the city,
shown in Fig. 3.3. Plants go to seed over winter to provide food and shelter for
wildlife. This can bring in more species. A window-ledge bird table will attract a
surprising range of birds and help sustain them through severe winter weather.
2. Keep nearby garden, forests, and riversides clean.
3.5 Conservation of biodiversity

22. 3.4.1 What can you do in conserving biodiversity?
Figure 3.3 Nectar-rich flowers and fruit-bearing trees attract butterflies, bees and birds.
3.5 Conservation of biodiversity

23. 3.4.1 What can you do in conserving biodiversity?
3. Reduce or avoid using pesticides and synthetic fertilizer in family and
community gardens. Because these often run off into adjacent ponds, lakes,
rivers and other water bodies which are harmful for the aquatic life living
there. This can also reduce the poisoning of your locality.
4. Do not buy, use, or eat endangered species for example, Deer in Bangladesh.
Ask your family, friends, and community members to avoid buying or using
endangered species.
5. Consider exploring vegetarian options. Because, The Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations states that livestock (i.e., meat) production
is one of the major causes of the world's most pressing environmental
problems, including global warming, land degradation, air and water pollution,
and loss of biodiversity.
3.5 Conservation of biodiversity

24. 3.4.1 What can you do in conserving biodiversity?
6. Reduce, reuse, and recycle, with an emphasis on the first one, discussed in
Chapter 11. The more we can each reduce our demand for new resources, the
less habitat conversion will be necessary to get those resources or the energy
to make the products we demand, and the less waste goes into the landfill.
7. Buy products from companies that value the environment and people.
Remember, companies will sell what people want to buy – so tell companies
that you want products that do not harm biodiversity! Whenever possible,
choose healthy, local, organic and sustainably produced foods and seek foods
that have little packaging.
8. Choose green and renewable energy such as solar and wind power,
geothermal, tidal, wave and hydropower; all of which come with fewer
negative environmental impacts.
3.5 Conservation of biodiversity

25. 3.4.1 What can you do in conserving biodiversity?
9. Learn about biodiversity. Learn about where your food comes from, including
about how food is grown and raised around the world. Studying biodiversity is
important to understand how humans should live while respecting the Earth’s
finite resources.
10. Involve others (as part of your class, club or local group) in conserving
biodiversity. Once you have a better understanding of local biodiversity issues,
it is time to take action. Talk with your local government officials, local farmers
and community members about biodiversity and find out the way of
conservation. Together, you can start to build a community biodiversity
garden.
3.5 Conservation of biodiversity

26. 3.4.2 What would happen if we did not have biodiversity?
If we did not have biodiversity, we will lose our ‘life support system’. If we do not
take steps to help protect our biodiversity we will be losing various – some crucial –
aspects of life in Bangladesh.
1. The living things on our planet help to provide a lot of the things we need to
survive– oxygen, food, water, shelter, medicine etc.
3.5 Conservation of biodiversity

27. 3.4.2 What would happen if we did not have biodiversity?
2. Biodiversity acts as a main resource for many of our industries, including
agriculture, fishing, recreation and tourism.
3.5 Conservation of biodiversity

28. 3.4.2 What would happen if we did not have biodiversity?
2. In addition, many species are national emblems – the Royal Bengal Tiger, Lion,
Mango, Jackfruit – and contribute to our culture and traditions. We will loss
our national emblems if biodiversity losses.
3.5 Conservation of biodiversity

29. 3.4.2 What would happen if we did not have biodiversity?
3. Millions of people using traditional medicines every day, come from different
trees, as shown in Fig. 3.4. However only 5,000 of 250,000 species of flowering
plants have been investigated as potential sources of new treatments. If these
species no longer exist in the wild, then new or revived old medicines,
whether via the local herbalist or a transnational corporation, will not become
available.
Figure 3.4 Biodiversity provides medicines, Papaya- the medicine tree.
3.5 Conservation of biodiversity

30. 3.4.2 What would happen if we did not have biodiversity?
4. A major use of other species has been in biological control - using organisms
(hen) to control pests, usually those that attack foodstuffs. Biological control
has been very successful, but is rarely noted as once the control organisms are
established, you don't need to do anything else. If only nature reserves are
preserved and nothing else, these useful species may be lost.
3.5 Conservation of biodiversity

31. 3.4.2 What would happen if we did not have biodiversity?
5. Other uses of our fellow species are non-food materials, most importantly
wood, but also fibers, resins, gums, adhesives, rubber, oils and waxes,
agricultural chemicals, perfumes etc.
3.5 Conservation of biodiversity