Biodiversity: An Introduction

Objective:

By the end of the session the students will know: -

  1. The meaning of the word biodiversity.
  2. Approximate number of the species of plants and animals at the world Level as well as in India.
  3. Types of Biodiversity.

Biodiversity is the gift of nature. It includes varieties of plants animals & microbes.India is lucky to have 8% of world’s species. The objective of this module is to introduce the idea of biodiversity and different kinds of Biodiversity.

Summary: -

Biodiversity means the variety of plants animals and microbes occurring as an interacting system are a given habitat. In this program the verities of plants and animals at world level as well as the level of India has been mentioned. This reveals that amongst animals the species of angiosperms are maximum. Three types of biodiversity have also been described.

Assignments

Students may be taken to nearby forest, any sanctuary or national parts to observe verities of plants and animals. They should concentrate on different types of insects specially varieties of butterflies and moths. For genetic diversity they may be shown different varieties of cotton or soyabean by visiting Agriculture College or same research station.

For species diversity the students should be shown the population of teak in any forest.

For ecosystem diversity the students should visit some grassland or lake.

Reference

  1. Singh, thakurChouhan (2004): “Environmental studies”, Ramesh Book Depot; Jaipur.
  2. Kotlar, Dr. Milind (2005): “Environmental Education”, Universal Publication, Agra.
  3. Gangulee, Dr. KalpanaNarulkar, Sandeep (2007): “ParyavaranBodh”, CEPRD; Indore.
  4. ErachBharucha (2009): “Text bookof environmental studies”, University Grants Commission; New Delhi.

Script: -

  1. Introduction

The Word Biodiversity was coined by walter G Rosen in 1986 It is defined as the variety of plants animals and microbes occurring as an interacting system in a given habitat.India has rich heritage of species and enormous verities of flora of fauna. Overall 8 percent of world’s species are found in India. India occupies tenth rank as far as the richness of plant wealth is concerned. This wealth is distributed in the form of forests wel-lands granlands deserts marine areas coral reefs etc.

  1. Species at world level

Number of species of plants & animals at world level is as under: -

S. no.GroupsNumber of speices

1Algae40,000

2Fungi80,000

3Bryophytes25,000

4Gymnosperms 725

5Angiosperms (Flowering Plants)2,70,000

6Virus 1600

7Bacteria4000

8Protozoa40,000

9Nematodes & Worms25,000

10Insects10,25,000

11Crustaceans 4300

12Mollusca70,000

13Amphibia4800

14Fishes 270000

15Reptiles7000

16Birds 9700

17Mammals4650

18Others100000

  1. Species at India level

Biodiversity includes different types of plants as well as animals.Richness of biodiversity of a country is decided on the basis of numbers of species found in that Country. There is no other parameter to measure biodiversity.

In India the picture of biodiversity becomes clear from this chart:-

S. no.Species Number

1Plants 45000

2Invertebrates 6800

3Insects 67000

4Molluscs4000

5Fishes 1693

6Amplibians2000

7Reptiles 420

8Birds 1200

9Mammals 340

  1. Classification

Biodiversity of a particular area is determined by the following:

(A)Groups of plants and animals for end in a particular area their interaction amongst themselves as well as with the surroundings.

(B)Number of species in that area.

(C)Number of indigenous species.

(D)Some particular species and its variability.

(E)Number of individuals in a particular species.

  1. Genetic biodiversity :-

External appearance of an organism depends upon chromosomes and genetic set up mutation and genetic recombination brings about diversity in character, this is called genetic diversity .Various species of cotton such as Gossypiumarbroeym Gherbaceur G barbadenseansBtcotton are good examples of genetic diversity.

  1. Species Diversity :-

Number of individuals of a particular

Species in a particular area or ecosystem is called species diversity. It gives an idea regarding richness of a particular plant or animal in any natural habital . Species diversity is more in wormer parts of the world as compared to cooler parts. Scientific concerned with environmental science and conservation of nature is more concerned more with species diversity.

  1. Ecosystems diversity :-

Ecosystem is defined as interaction between the organism and environment Grass Land, forest,lake,Desert ocean are good examples of ecosystem Each ecosystem has produces consumer and decomposes. This Chain controls the number is species and maintains biodiversity of a particular ecosystem.

FAQ’s

Q.1 Who Introduction the word biodiversity?

Ans. G.Rosen in 1986.

Q.2 What is definition of biodiversity?

Ans. Varities of plants animals and microbes found in nature are called biodiversity.

Q.3. What is the Position of India in the world as negative the richness of biodiversity.

Ans :- Tenth Position

Q.4 What is the percentage of plants & animals for end in India?

Ans 8%

Q.5 Which group of animals is maximum in number at world level.

Ans Insects

Q.6 Amongst aqnatic animals which group is the most common at world level?

Ans .Fishes

Q.7 Among plants which group has maximum species at world level ?

Ans Flowering plants or Angiosperms.

Q.8 Which plant group has minimum number of species at world level ?

Ans: Gymnosperms.

Glossary

Coral Reaf: Hard rock like structure near sea shore built by Algae & Polyps.

Invertebrate: Animals without backbone.

Amphibion: Animals like frog which live on land as well as water.

Crustaceans: Ihard shelled aquatic animal such crab.

Mollusc: Animal with soft body & hard shall e.g. Snail.

Riptiles: Cold blooded scaly animals like snake.

Species: A group of interbreeding animals of plants or animals.

Ecosystem: A balanced system showing interaction between the organism & the environment.

QUIZ

1.The word biodiversity was coined by?

  1. A.G.Tansley
  2. R. Mishra
  3. Walter G .Rosen
  4. E.P.Odum

2.Biodiversity includes?

  1. Varieties of Plants
  2. Variety of animals
  3. Variety of Microbes
  4. All

3.The following group of animals have maximum number of species?

  1. Fishes
  2. Insects
  3. Birds
  4. Mammals
  1. The following group of plants has maximum number of species is?
  1. Algae
  2. Bryophyes
  3. Gymnospemus
  4. Angiosperues
  1. The reason for the richness of biodiversity of India is?
  1. India is a warm country
  2. India is a temperate country
  3. India is a tropical country
  4. All the above
  1. Biodiversity of a particular area is determined by?
  1. Group of plants & animal found in that area.
  2. Number of Indigenous species in that area.
  3. Number of species in that area.
  4. All the above
  1. Biodiversity is of following types?
  1. Genetic Biodiversity
  2. Species Biodiversity
  3. Ecological Biodiversity
  4. All

Credit

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