Chapter Summary
Biodiversity and Conservation deals with the variety of life forms, their classification, importance, threats to biodiversity, and strategies for conservation such as in-situ and ex-situ methods.
50 Questions and Answers
Biodiversity is the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and aquatic ecosystems.
Genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
Genetic diversity refers to the variation of genes within a species, contributing to adaptability and survival.
Species diversity refers to the variety of species within a particular region.
Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of ecosystems found within a region, such as forests, deserts, wetlands, etc.
Biodiversity provides ecosystem services, food, medicine, climate regulation, and cultural values essential for life.
Norman Myers popularized the concept of biodiversity hotspots.
Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Indo-Malayan, and the Western Ghats.
Alpha diversity refers to species diversity within a particular habitat or ecosystem.
Beta diversity measures the change in species composition between two ecosystems.
Gamma diversity is the overall diversity for different ecosystems within a region.
The IUCN Red List is a comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species.
Endangered species are those which are at risk of extinction in the near future.
Endemic species are those found only in a particular geographical region and nowhere else.
It describes how species richness increases with increasing area sampled, proposed by Alexander von Humboldt.
Alexander von Humboldt proposed the species-area relationship equation.
S = C Az, where S = species richness, A = area, C and z are constants.
Mass extinction refers to the extinction of a large number of species in a relatively short geological period.
Five major mass extinctions have occurred in Earth’s history.
In-situ conservation is the conservation of species in their natural habitats, like biosphere reserves and national parks.
Ex-situ conservation is the conservation of species outside their natural habitats, like zoos, botanical gardens, and seed banks.
Examples: Botanical gardens, zoological parks, cryopreservation, and seed banks.
Biosphere reserves are protected areas aimed at conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development.
A national park is a protected area established by the government for conservation of biodiversity and recreation.
A wildlife sanctuary is an area where wild animals are protected and conserved in their natural habitats.
Sacred groves are patches of forest protected by local communities due to religious beliefs, conserving biodiversity.
Cryopreservation is the preservation of cells, tissues, or organisms at very low temperatures, often in liquid nitrogen.
Bioprospecting refers to the exploration of biodiversity for new resources like medicines, genes, and chemicals.
Ecosystem services are the benefits humans obtain from ecosystems, like pollination, climate regulation, and nutrient cycling.
Forests regulate climate, purify air, and act as carbon sinks.
Biopharming is the use of biodiversity resources to develop pharmaceuticals and genetically engineered products.
Habitat destruction is the main cause of biodiversity loss.
Over-exploitation is excessive use of species by humans, leading to depletion and extinction.
Pollution degrades habitats, poisons species, and disrupts ecosystems, reducing biodiversity.
Alien species invasion is when non-native species enter new habitats and outcompete native species, threatening biodiversity.
Examples: Parthenium, Lantana, and Eichhornia (water hyacinth).
Global warming is the rise in Earth’s average temperature due to greenhouse gas accumulation, threatening biodiversity.
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) is an international agreement to ensure that trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
The Red Data Book is a publication listing endangered and threatened species.
The Bengal tiger is an endangered animal in India.
Cycas beddomei is an endangered plant species found in India.
Ecological balance is the natural equilibrium between living organisms and their environment.
Species richness refers to the number of different species present in a particular area.
Tropical rainforests have the highest species diversity.
Extinction is the permanent disappearance of a species from Earth.
Biodiversity conservation refers to the protection, preservation, and sustainable management of biodiversity.
Hotspot conservation focuses on areas with rich biodiversity that are under high threat of extinction.
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
NGOs raise awareness, conduct conservation projects, and support government policies for biodiversity conservation.
Ex-situ conservation is the preservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats, such as in botanical gardens, zoos, and seed banks.