Zoology Perspectives in Ecology Lesson: Biodiversity Conservation/ Conservation Strategies Lesson Developer: Dr.Jyoti Arora College/Dept: Miranda House University of Delhi
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Conservation Strategies
Table of Contents
Introduction Major Threats to Biodiversity IUCN Red List Categories of species Conservation Strategies Bioinformatics International Treaties, Conventions and Organizations
i) Convention on International Trade in Endangered species of wild flora and fauna (CITES) 1973
ii) Convention on Biological diversity (CBD) 1993
iii) TRAFFIC
National Laws (in India)
Wildlife Protection Act 1972 amended 1991
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) (in India)
i) Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) ii) Wildlife Preservation Society of India, Dehradun iii) World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India) In situ Conservation
i)Sacred Groves and Sacred Lakes ii)National Parks iii)Wild Life sanctuaries iv) Biosphere reserves Ex situ Conservation
i)Sacred plants home gardens ii) Seed Banks, Gene Banks and Cryopreservation iii) Botanical Gardens, Arboreta iv) Wildlife farms v) Zoological Gardens and Animal Research Centres vi) Aquaria Summary Exercise/ Practice Glossary References/ Bibliography/ Further Reading
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Introduction Biodiversity is the variety of living forms found in an area. Higher biodiversity increases the stability in an ecosystem and also contributes to the health of biosphere. Biodiversity is important because of the instrumental values such as ecological services, economic services, genetic information in species, ecotourism, aesthetic and scientific values. In addition, regardless of any usefulness to us, every living organism has an intrinsic right to live. Worldwide, rapid loss of biodiversity has been observed, especially in tropical habitats. The rate of biological extinction is far greater than rate of background extinction. Thus, it is imperative for conservation biologists to chalk out a suitable plan of action to prevent any further loss of biodiversity.
Figure 1. Effects of human activities on global biodiversity (Source: Author)
Major threats to biodiversity High demographic pressure on natural ecosystems that is evident through several human activities such as agriculture, industry, economic development and recreation, is largely responsible for the decline in biodiversity (Figure 1). These activities manifest their effects through drastic changes in the habitats and natural ecosystems. Conservation biologists review the most important causes of premature extinction of species using the acronym HIPPCO: Habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation; Invasive (non native) species; Population and resource use growth (too many people consuming too many resources); Pollution; Climate change; and Overexploitation Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi
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Among these factors, habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation is usually considered as the most important causative factors for the loss of biodiversity followed by introduction of invasive species (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Causes of loss of biodiversity. Factors highlighted in red colour are the major contributors to the decline of biodiversity. (Source: Author)
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Value Edition: Did you Know? Heading Text: Some Species are more prone to extinction! Body Text:
Some characteristics of a species make them more prone to extinction, which are as follows: Low reproductive rates (K-strategist) e.g. Blue whale, Rhinoceros Specialized niche e.g. Giant Panda Narrow distribution e.g. Asiatic Lion Feeds at high trophic level e.g. Bengal Tiger, Grizzly Bear Fixed migratory patterns e.g. Blue Whale, Sea turtles Rare species e.g. Island sp. Commercially valuable e.g. Snow Leopard, Tiger, Rhinoceros Large territories e.g. Grizzly Bear, Florida Panther
Source:
Author
IUCN Red List Categories of Species Depending upon the present status of population of different species, World Conservation Union (WCU) formerly IUCN has enlisted species in 9 different categories (Figure 3). These are as follows: Extinct: when the last member of a species dies and the species ceases to existc (Figure 4). Extinct in the Wild: When species no more found in the wild but a few member of species still exist in captivity somewhere in the world (Figure 5). Critically endangered: High risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future (Figure 6) Endangered: A limited number of individuals left that species could soon become extinct in the near future (Figure 7). Vulnerable: Still abundant but likely to become endangered in the medium term future (Figure 8). Near Threatened: At present found in sufficient numbers but its population dwindling fast throughout its range so that it can become a threatened species soon (Figure 9). Least concerned: A large population of the species is found so it is of not much concern as there is no risk of it extinction (Figure 10). Data Deficient: Limited data is available for the species to be put in any of the above mentioned category. Not Evaluated: Status of the species not yet evaluated. When species have small populations in the world but they are not at present endangered or vulnerable but are at risk, they are often referred as rare. They are usually localized in restricted geographical areas or thinly scattered over its wide range.
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Figure 3. IUCN Red List categories of species. (Source: Author)
Figure 4. Indian Aurochs (Bos subspecies of the extinct aurochs.
primigenius
namadicus)
is
a
(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_aurochs)
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Figure 5. The black softshell turtle or Bostami turtle (Nilssonia nigricans, previously placed in genus Aspideretes), a species of freshwater turtle categorized as extinct in the wild and is found in India (Assam) and Bangladesh (Chittagong) . (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_softshell_turtle)
Figure 6. Forest Owlet (Athene blewitti), a critically endangered species endemic to forests of central India (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_owlet).
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Figure 7. Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) or the wanderoo, an endangered species of old world monkey endemic to Western Ghats of South India. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion-tailed_macaque)
Figure 8. Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), a vulnerable species found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_ridley_sea_turtle)
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Figure 9. The great hornbill (Buceros bicornis) also known as the great Indian hornbill or great pied hornbill, is found in South and Southeast Asia and is listed as Near Threatened the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_hornbill).
Figure 10. The rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), an Old World monkey native to South,Central and Southeast Asiais listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhesus_macaque).
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Value Edition: Did you Know? Heading Text: IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) works with local people! Body Text:
International organization dedicated to finding pragmatic solutions to our most pressing Environment and Developmental challenges. It is the largest and oldest Global Environmental Network. It publishes IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Union’s headquarters is at Gland, near Geneva. Some key features of this organization are enlisted below: Vision: adjust world that values and conserves nature. Mission: to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. Strategy and policy: to explore and promote mutually beneficial conservation arrangements that suits those promoting development as well as assisting people and nations to better preserve their flora and fauna. Key operating principle: strong need to cater and address the needs of local nations, communities and people so that they take up the ownership of future. Major working principle: protected areas and threatened species could most effectively be safeguarded if local people considered it in their own interest to do so. Working with rather than against local people.
Source: Author
Conservation Strategies For biodiversity conservation, it is important to look at different causes responsible for the premature extinction of the species and then to zero down to the measures that can be taken to prevent any further loss of species. These measures should be taken at the earliest as species once lost is lost forever. Considering this fact, conservation biologists have formulated several strategies that can minimize the risk of extinction of species such as, framing international conventions and treaties for biodiversity conservation, formation of National Parks, Wildlife sanctuaries, Botanical Gardens etc (Refer Figure 11). Each of these strategies has been dealt with in detail in the following sections. Bioinformatics All the information available about different species can be managed, analyzed and communicated through bioinformatics. This can be accomplished by constructing different computer databases to store the information, developing techniques to find, view and analyze the information and communicating the information through internet. Species 2000 is such an internet based global research project that is designed to provide all the necessary information about all the earth’s known species for studies of global biodiversity. This information includes scientific name, classification, description and distribution of each Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi
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sp, status of its population, habitat requirements and interactions with other species. This knowledge will be very helpful in protecting the species.
Figure 11. Various strategies for conservation of biodiversity. Source: Author
International Treaties, Conventions and Organizations i) Convention on International Trade in Endangered species of wild flora and fauna (CITES) 1973 CITES is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Representatives of 80 countries met and agreed the text of the convention at a meeting held in Washington, D.C., the United States of America, on 3 March 1973. CITES entered in force on 1 July 1975. This treaty is now signed by 178 countries and gives protection to 5,000 species of animals and 29,000 species of plants against over-exploitation through Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi
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international trade. These species are listed in the three CITES Appendices. India became a party to this treaty in 1976. CITES has helped reduced international trade in many threatened animals including elephants, crocodiles and chimpanzees. However, the effects of treaty are limited because of the following reasons: Enforcement is difficult and spotty Convicted violators often pay only small fines Member countries can exempt themselves from protecting any listed species Much of the highly profitable illegal trade in wild life and wildlife products goes on in countries that have not signed the treaty.
ii) Convention on Biological diversity (CBD) 1993 The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) entered into force on 29 December 1993. It has 3 main objectives: The conservation of biological diversity The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources This convention is signed by 172 countries and it legally binds the signatory governments to check the global decline of biodiversity. However, implementation of the treaty is very slow as some key countries like US have not signed the treaty and it has no severe penalties or other enforcement mechanisms. iii) TRAFFIC TRAFFIC is an international organization which ensures that trade in wild plants and animals does not pose a threat to the conservation of nature. This wildlife monitoring network is a joint programme of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN). TRAFFIC also works in close co-operation with the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). 1976, TRAFFIC was founded in 1976 and its headquarters are now located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is a global network, research-driven and action-oriented, committed to delivering innovative and practical solutions to conservation related issues based on the latest information. National Laws (In India) These laws are made to give protection to animals by legislation. Some of the important Government Organizations/ Acts working for the conservation of wildlife in India are as follows:
Wildlife Protection Act 1972 amended 1991. Indian Board of wildlife (IBWL)–established in 1952 National wildlife action plan, 1982 endorsed by IBWL Forest Act XVI in 1927
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Forest Conservation Act, 1981 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
Wildlife Protection Act 1972 amended 1991 Of the above-mentioned acts, the most important is Wildlife Protection Act 1972. It is a comprehensive central legislation that was enacted in 1972 for providing special legal protection to our wild life in general and to endangered species in particular. For infringement of provisions of this act, very stringent punishments have been provided. According to this act, the following activities are strictly prohibited:
Possession, trapping, shooting of wild animals alive or dead Serving their meat in eating houses Their transport and export are all controlled and watched by special staff Hunting of female and young ones strictly prohibited Threatened species are absolutely protected.
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) (in India) A number of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) also work for the conservation of wild animals such as Bombay Natural History Society, Wildlife Preservation Society of India, Dehradun, WWF-India etc. i) Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) BNHS was founded in 1883 by a famous Ornithologist, Dr Salim Ali, and is mainly engaged in collection of information and specimens of fauna and flora of India, Ceylon and Burma. Its logo is Great Horn Bill. ii) Wildlife Preservation Society of India, Dehradun This NGO was founded in 1958 with several objectives of wildlife management. One of the main objectives is to promote interest and impart knowledge regarding the preservation and conservation of all forms of Wildlife, particularly among the youth of the country. iii) World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India) WWF-India is a conservation organization dedicated to building a healthy living planet for future generations. This is done by adopting a two-pronged approach to conservation which includes: Biodiversity Conservation Footprint Reduction
Value Edition: Did you Know? Heading Text: Why Giant Panda is a logo of WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature)? Body Text: independent
This international non-governmental organization is world’s largest
conservation
organization.
It
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is
working
on
issues
regarding
the
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conservation, research and restoration of environment. Formally, the organization name was World Wildlife Fund. In 1986, organization changed its name to World Wide Fund for Nature to reflect the scope of activities, retaining the initials. In 1996, organization obtained general consultative status from UNESCO. Its headquarters is at Gland, Switzerland. Giant Panda, logo of WWF, originated from a panda named Chi Chi that was transferred from the Beijing Zoo to the London Zoo in the same year of establishment of WWF.
Fig. Chi Chi at London Zoo, September 1967 Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chi_Chi_(giant_panda)#/media/File:Chi_Chi,_Giant_Panda,_L ondon_Zoo,_Camden,_taken_1967_-_geograph.org.uk_-_738608.jpg Organization also needed an animal that would have an impact of black and white printing. Its mission is to halt and reverse the destruction of our environment. Current strategy for achieving its mission successfully focuses on restoring populations of endangered species and reducing ecological footprints in several areas. Also, the organization is working on a number of global issues driving biodiversity loss and unsustainable use of natural resources, including finance, business practices, laws and consumption choices. Local offices also work on national or regional issues. Source: Author
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Value Edition: Did you Know? Heading Text: Several Wildlife Conservation Projects are implemented in India to conserve endangered animals! Body Text:
Several national wildlife conservation projects are designed and
implemented to conserve endangered animals. enlisted below.
A few important projects are
1. Project Tiger: Project Tiger was launched in 1973 with the objective to increase the declining tiger population in the country. Several tiger reserves were created throughout the country where limited human interference is allowed only in the buffer zone and no activity is allowed in the core zone. The project is ecosystem oriented with the restoration of the entire ecosystem and hence other wildlife found in the area would be benefitted by it. The numbers of tiger reserves have increased from 9 in 1973 to 28 in 2007. This project in one of the most successful conservation effort which has managed to increase the tiger population in the country. 2. Project Elephant: It was launched in 1992 to provide financial help to those 13 states where significant proportion of elephant’s population reside. The major objective was protection of the elephant habitats and corridors. It also emphasizes the issues of human-elephant conflict and welfare of domesticated elephants. At present, there are 25 elephant reserves in India. 3. Indian Crocodile Conservation Project: This project aims at conservation of threatened crocodile. This is achieved by protecting the remaining population of crocodile by formation of sanctuaries. Also, ‘grow and release’ or ‘rear and release’ techniques are used to improve the natural populations. 4. Project Hangul: Hangul or Kashmir stag (Cervus affinis hanglu) lives in dense riverine forests, high valleys, and mountains of the Kashmir valley and northern Chamba in Himachal Pradesh. Their numbers have declined drastically due to habitat loss, overgrazing by domestic animals and poaching. This persuaded the state of Jammu & Kashmir, along with the IUCN and the WWF to initiate project Hangul for the protection of these animals. As a result of this project their population has increased, and they are conserved at Dachigam National Park in Kashmir.
Source:
Author
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In situ conservation This is On-site conservation that means protecting the species at the site where it is usually found. It is done mainly through the formation of protected area networks, which include: i) Sacred Groves and Sacred Lakes: Sacred groves include natural habitats mostly segment of a forest protected by the local community on religious grounds. In India, sacred groves are sometimes associated with temples, monasteries, shrines etc. Some activities such as collection of honey and deadwood are allowed. However, hunting and logging is generally prohibited. Usually some NGOs work with local people for the protection of sacred groves. As per Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002, sacred groves are legally protected under protected area category community reserves. Some examples of sacred groves are scrub forests in Thar Desert (Rajasthan) and rain forests in Western Ghats of Kerala. There are several sacred lakes in India such as Pushkar Lake (Rajasthan), Narayan Sarovar (Gujarat), Bindu Sarovar (Gujarat) and Pampa Sarovar (Karnataka). Generally, these lakes have religious connotations attached to it. ii) National Parks: In India, national parks are covered under IUCN category II protected area. Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand) is the first national park that was established in 1936. At present, there are around 166 National Parks in India. Some of the important ones include Periyar National Park (Kerala), Manas National Park (Assam), Ranthambore National Park (Rajasthan), Gir National Park (Gujarat), Great Himalayan National Park (Himachal Pradesh), Dachigam National Park (Jammu and Kashmir), Betla National Park (Jahrkhand). iii) Wild Life sanctuaries: It is an IUCN category IV protected area. A total of 515 sanctuaries are located in India. Many of these are Tiger Reserves and were formed when Project Tiger was launched in India in 1973. Many of these sanctuaries are important as they provide protection to many Flagship species such as National Chambal Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh for Gharial. iv) Biosphere reserves: They are IUCN category IV Protected Area. In India, there are 18 biosphere reserves. Biosphere reserves are much larger in size than sanctuaries and national parks. In biosphere reserves, protection is given to flora as well as fauna of the region. The communities who inhabit these areas are also given protection. For example, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is located in Western Ghats encompassing three states viz., Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. It has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The three major functions of biosphere reserves are conservation of biodiversity, sustainable development and research and education. There are three major zones demarcated in a biosphere reserves viz., Core zone, Buffer Zone and Transition Zone. Core Zone includes protected areas where no human activities are allowed. In Buffer Zone, some human activities are allowed but less than transition zone. But these activities do not hamper the conservation efforts of core area. Activities include establishment of research center, education, training, tourism and recreation facilities. Transition Zone or Area of
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Cooperation is the outer most area where local communities live and work using the resources of the area sustainably. In this zone local people, NGO’s working on conservation, scientists, civil associations, cultural groups work synergistically for the management and conservation of natural resources. Depending upon the type of ecosystem, biosphere reserves can be terrestrial (e.g. Niligiri Biosphere reserve) or marine (e.g. Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserves, Andaman and Nicobar Island). Table 1. Differences between National Parks, Wild Life Sanctuaries and Biosphere Reserves. S. No.
National Parks
Wildlife Sanctuary
Biosphere Reserves
1.
Habitat Oriented: Hitched to habitat for particular wild animal species like tiger, lion etc.
Species oriented: such as great Indian Bustard etc.
Ecosystem Hitched to ecosystem
2.
Size Km2
0.61-7818 Km2
Over 5670 Km2
3.
Boundaries circumscribed legislation
range:
0.04-3162
by
Boundaries sacrosanct
not
Boundaries circumscribed legislation
by
4.
Except the buffer zone, no biotic interference
Limited interference
5.
Tourism permissible
Tourism permissible
Tourism not permissible (normally)
6.
Research and scientific management lacking
Research and scientific management lacking
Research and scientific management managed
7.
No attention to gene pools and conservation
No attention to gene pools and conservation
Attention given
8.
e.g. Jim Corbett National Park in Uttaranchal(Tigers)
Keibul Lamjao wildlife sanctuary in Manipur for Sangai (Brow-antlered Deer)
The First Biosphere Reserve- Nilgiris at trijunction of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu
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biotic
Oriented: the whole
Except the buffer zone, no biotic interference
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Ex situ Conservation This includes protecting species outside the place where they generally lives. Though best strategy is in situ conservation but this may not be a viable option for many rare species that have extremely small populations or occur outside protected areas. Ex situ facilities include zoos, game farms, aquaria, botanical gardens, arboreta, and seed banks etc. A number of species that went extinct in the wild have survived ex situ e.g. Przewalski’s horse (Takhi). Takhi is no longer found in their native Mongolia but is doing well after reintroduction into a national park. In addition, ex situ and in situ conservation are complementary strategies and ex-situ populations can be released periodically in the wild to augment in situ conservation efforts. A number of ex situ conservation efforts have certain basic limitations when compared with in situ conservation, which are as follows: Cost is often high Population size and genetic variability will usually be much smaller in ex situ conservation than is needed to prevent genetic drift. Captive populations are often extremely inbred. Also, some species breed easily in captivity and surplus animals must be dealt with. Adaptation and learning skills will be low as they may adapt to captive environment and may not function well in situ. In fact, they may be ignorant of their natural environment or may not have learned from parents. Continuity is also a problem as this requires a continuous supply of funds and institutional policies e.g. break-up of the former Soviet Union left many zoos without funds Concentration of animals at one place is another worry because if ex situ site is destroyed by catastrophe (fire, hurricane, or epidemic) there is a possibility that an entire population of an endangered species could be destroyed. In addition, if they breed and do well than what to do with surplus organisms. Various ex situ conservation strategies are as follows: i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi)
Sacred plants home gardens Seed Banks, Gene Banks and Cryopreservation Botanical Gardens, Arboreta Wildlife farms Zoological Gardens and Animal Research Centres Aquaria
i) Sacred plants home gardens: In many cultures, there is a practice to keep a small garden of sacred plants at home. Most of these plants are medicinal and in the process get preserved. ii) Seed Banks, Gene Banks and Cryopreservation: Gene or Seed banks preserve genetic information and endangered plant species by Collections of seeds from wild and cultivated plants
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Often stored in cold, dry conditions that slow metabolism or they are frozen as low as -196 degrees Celsius (Cryopreserved in liquid Nitrogen) Limitations: 1. Some species cannot be preserved in gene banks 2. Maintenance of banks is very expensive.
iii) Botanical Gardens, Arboreta: The worlds 1600 botanical gardens and arboreta contain about 4 million living plants representing about 80,000 species (30% world's flora). An arboretum is a botanical garden containing living collections of woody plants intended at least partly for scientific study. Plants are easier to maintain in controlled conditions because of the following reasons: 1) Adequate population samples can be established from seeds, cuttings, rhizomes, and tissue culture 2) Most have similar basic needs for light, water, and minerals that can be readily supplied in greenhouses and gardens 3) Often can be grown at high densities 4) Most reproduce readily and can be manipulated by hand pollination Botanical gardens also help educate visitors about the need for plant conservation. Limitations: Too little storage capacity and too little funding to preserve most of the world’s rare and threatened plants. iv) Wildlife farms: We can take pressure off some endangered species by raising them on farms for commercial sale. e.g. Butterfly farming in Papua New Guinea where butterfly are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, commercial overexploitation and environmental deterioration. v) Zoological Gardens and Animal Research Centres: Establishment of Zoos, Aquaria, Game Parks and Animal Research Centers can help to preserve some individuals of critically endangered animal species, with long-term goal of reintroducing the species into protected wild habitats. Zoos use a number of specialized techniques to maintain breeding colonies. 1) Egg pulling: involves collecting wild eggs laid by critically endangered bird/ reptile species and then hatching them in zoos or research centers 2) Captive breeding: some or all of the wild individuals of a critically endangered species are captured for breeding in captivity with the aim of reintroducing the offspring into the wild. 3) Embryo transfer: implantation of eggs of one species into a surrogate mother of another species. E.g. rare bongo embryos transferred to the common and related eland 4) Cross fostering/artificial incubation: foster parents are used to raise offspring from another species unable to raise their own young. E.g. bald eagles produce one clutch of eggs per year. If some of the eggs are removed and put under birds of a related species, the bald eagle will produce a second clutch. 5) Artificial insemination (AI): This technique has proven to be very successful for some animals’ e.g. giant pandas 6) Use of computer databases of family lineages of species in zoos and DNA analysis to match individuals for mating and to prevent genetic erosion through inbreeding. Limitations: Lack of space and funds Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi
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Inability of captive raised animals to adjust to a wild habitat. They should be trained to find food and shelter, avoid predators, and interact in social groups.
vi) Aquarias: Exhibit unusual and attractive fish and some marine animals such as seals and dolphins, and help educate public about the need to protect such species. However, aquariums cannot serve as effective gene banks for endangered marine species especially marine mammals that need large volumes of water.
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SUMMARY
Worldwide, rapid loss of biodiversity has been observed, especially in tropical habitats. The rate of biological extinction is far greater than rate of background extinction. Thus, it is imperative for conservation biologists to chalk out a suitable plan of action to prevent any further loss of biodiversity. For biodiversity conservation, it is important to look at different causes responsible for the premature extinction of the species and then to zero down to the measures that can be taken to prevent any further loss of species. Conservation biologists review the most important causes of premature extinction of species using the acronym HIPPCO (Habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation; Invasive (non native) species; Population and resource use growth; Pollution; Climate change; and Overexploitation. Among these factors, habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation is usually considered as the most important causative factors for the loss of biodiversity followed by introduction of invasive species. Considering this fact, conservation biologists have formulated several strategies that can minimize the risk of extinction of species such as, framing international conventions and treaties for biodiversity conservation, formation of National Parks, Wildlife sanctuaries, Botanical Gardens etc. Bioinformatics can also play an important role to manage, analyze and communicate information available about different species that will be very helpful in protecting the species. Various International Treaties (CITES), Conventions (CBD) and Organizations (TRAFFIC) are working for protecting endangered species of wild plants and animals. Every country also has some laws as well as some NGO’s working for conservation of biodiversity. In India, Wildlife Protection Act 1972 is a comprehensive central legislation that was enacted for providing special legal protection to our wild life in general and to endangered species in particular. Bombay Natural History Society, Wildlife Preservation Society of India and Worldwide Fund for Nature-India are some of the NGO’s that run several programs to prevent wildlife from extinction. The wildlife conservation strategies broadly can be divided into in situ and ex situ. In situ conservation is onsite conservation which is done mainly through the formation of protected area networks such as Sacred Groves and Sacred Lakes, National Parks, Wild Life sanctuaries and Biosphere reserves. Ex situ conservation includes protecting species outside the place where they generally lives. Though best strategy is in situ conservation but this may not be a viable option for many rare species that have extremely small populations or occur outside protected areas. Ex situ facilities include Sacred Plants Home Gardens, Seed Banks, Gene Banks and Cryopreservation, Botanical Gardens, Arboreta, Wildlife Farms, Zoological Gardens, Animal Research Centres and Aquaria
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EXERCISE a) Essay Types/ Short Notes 1. What are threatened species? Enlist various IUCN red list categories of species. 2. Write a note on various International Treaties, Conventions and Organizations formulated for the conservation of wild life. 3. Briefly explain the role of various NGO’s in India working for protection of endangered species of wild flora and fauna. 4. Differentiate between: i) National Parks and Wild life Sanctuaries. ii) Threatened and endangered species iii) Biosphere reserves and National Parks 5. Briefly describe various laws enacted in India for the conservation of biodiversity. 6. Write the salient features of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. 7. What characteristics of a species make it more prone to extinction? 8. What is Biodiversity? What are the major threats to Biodiversity? Briefly describe various strategies practiced in India for the conservation of Biodiversity.
b) Objective Questions 1. Expand the following: i) WWF ii) CITES iii) IUCN iv) BNHS 2. What is the logo for BNHS? 3. What is the logo for WWF? 5. Name any three National parks in India and their location. 6. Name the wildlife sanctuary/ National Park where the following endangered animals are conserved. i) Tiger ii) Asiatic lion iii) Wild Ass iv) Sangai v) Great Indian Bustard
c) MCQ 1. The major cause for the loss of biodiversity is… a. Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation b. Climate change c. Pollution d. Sale of exotic pets and aquarium fishes Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi
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2. Which of the following is not an ex situ conservation strategy? a. Wildlife farms b. Zoological Gardens c. National Parks d. Gene banks 3. Which of the following is not an in situ conservation strategy? a. Wildlife sanctuaries b. National Parks c. Biospehere reserves d. Botanical Gardens 4. In India, Biosphere reserves are covered under IUCN category _____protected area. a. I b. II c. III d. IV d) Fill in the Blanks 1. In India, Wildlife sanctuaries are covered under IUCN category ______ protected area. 2. Logo of WWF is ________________. 3. Jim Corbett National Park is famous for the conservation of _____________. 4. The first Biosphere Reserve established in India was _________________. e) Match the Following 1. Loss of biodiversity 2. In situ conservation 3. Ex situ conservation 4. Red data Book 5. Giant Panda f) True or False
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
National Parks Arboreta IUCN (WCU) WWF Habitat alterations
1. Boundaries of National Parks are not circumscribed by legislation. 2. The first National Park established in India was Jim Corbett National Park. 3. Hunting and killing of innocent animals for their meat is the most important cause of loss of biodiversity. 4. In situ conservation strategy is better than ex situ conservation of wildlife.
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References
www.iucn.org/redlist http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiversity http://esciencecentral.org/journals/impact-of-climate-change-on-biodiversity-lossand-extinction-of-endemic-plants-of-arid-land-mountains-2332-2543-1120.php?aid=23166 http://www.eiatoolkit.ewt.org.za/process/biodiversity.html http://www.moef.nic.in/downloads/publicinformation/critically_endangered_booklet.pdf Miller Jr., G. T., 2004. Environmental Science Working with the Earth, 10 th ed., Thomson, Brooks/Cole, 538 pp.
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