Biodiversity Conservation

Biodiversity conservation involves the protection, management, and restoration of biodiversity. Biodiversity is a measure of variation at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. Biodiversity can be conserved by various methods including in situ and ex situ conservation methods that include establishing national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, etc. Biodiversity should be conserved as it provides us with both economic and aesthetic benefits. In this article we will study the definition of biodiversity conservation, methods of conservation, and why it should be conserved.

Biodiversity Conservation Definition

Biodiversity Conservation can be defined as the practice to protect, manage, and restore biodiversity for the sustainable use of resources.

What is Biodiversity Conservation?

The term Biodiversity has been derived from ‘biological diversity’, which denotes the varied life forms existing on the Earth at different levels, starting from genes to the whole ecosystem. It is focused on three major goals:

1. Diversity conservation of species.
2. Sustainability of ecosystem and species.
3. Management of important ecological processes.

The human activities responsible for increased industrialization and urbanization lead to pollution, erosion and other environmental depletion factors. This negatively impacts the biodiversity and ecosystem, and results in the loss of species or diversity of a species in the natural habitat. Such depletion affects the food chain in the ecosystem and resistance towards natural disasters gets hampered, plant production reduces, and variations in ecosystem processes become more common. As a result, 12%, 23% and 32% of all bird, mammal, and amphibian species in the world are listed in the category of extinction.

Biodiversity Conservation Methods

For a more stable environment, a balanced diversity among different species plays an important role. We humans significantly depend on various species in one form or another to satisfy our needs. Considering this fact and the associated ethical and economic benefits, it is necessary to conserve biodiversity. There are two different ways that are considered for biodiversity conservation. These are explained below:

In-situ Conservation

It involves the conservation and protection of species in their natural habitat, i.e., in the area where they are found. For example, to save tigers from extinction, we save the entire forest. Such an approach has the following benefits:

• Economical and cost-effective and preserves both natural habitat and species.
• Protects a large count of the population simultaneously.
• Species can easily adjust to the environment as they are in a natural ecosystem.

The concept of biodiversity hotspots was introduced to identify some of such regions that are biologically rich yet threatened areas. The criteria considered to mark any region as a hotspot are as follows:

• The region has lost at least 70% of its original native vegetation.
• It must have at least 1500 endemic species of plants. These endemic species refer to such species which are found in that particular limited geographical area.

In India, biodiversity-rich regions have obtained legal protection and are declared in the categories of biosphere reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks.

National Parks

They are natural parks which are used with the objective of conservation and are preserved by the national government. Such regions are restricted from any human activities like poaching, grazing, cultivation, forestry, etc. Some of the national parks in India are Corbett National Park, Kaziranga National Park, and Gir National Park. These national parks help in ecological development by preserving natural resources and varied species.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

These are the protected regions to preserve endangered wild animals. Some of the forbidden human activities in these areas are hunting, poaching or animal trapping. No particular boundaries or fencing are laid to restrict the movements of humans in the region and any entry for research or education purposes is allowed. Some of the wildlife sanctuaries are Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, and Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka.

Biosphere Reserves

These reserves, in addition to plant and animal conservation, restore the traditional life of human communities who are inhabited in the area. Some Biosphere Reserves are Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve in West Bengal, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in Uttarakhand, and Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve in Great Nicobar. There are three different zones associated with Biosphere Reserves. These are:

• Core Zone: This zone is the innermost region that is categorized as an undisturbed ecosystem and human interventions are strictly restricted.
• Buffer Zone: This zone surrounds the core zone and involves educational and research activities. These activities should not interfere with the objective of the core zone.
• Manipulation Zone: Human settlements and activities such as recreation, and forestry are allowed in this zone to help resume the degraded area. Various conservation agencies, researchers and local communities use the zone in a sustainable manner to support human welfare in the region.

Gene Sanctuaries

These are the conservation areas which are specifically only for plants. India has one gene sanctuary in Garo Hills, Meghalaya which aims at the conservation of wild species of citrus.

Ex-situ Conservation

It involves the protection of endangered species in artificial ecosystems including zoological parks, botanical gardens, and nurseries. As a result, a less competitive environment is created in terms of food, space and water availability. The several advantages of this method are as follows:

• Genetic strategies like preserving seeds of important plants for long periods can be easily adopted.
• Cryopreservation techniques to preserve gametes of endangered species can be practised.
• Propagation of plants can be done using tissue culture techniques.

Strategies for Biodiversity Conservation

The Strategies for Biodiversity Conservation are as follows:

• Develop and maintain protected areas like national park, sanctuaries to protect the endangered and critical species.
• All the vulnerable animals should be identified and conserved.
• Efficient utilization of the resources.
• Focus on reforestation, wetland restoration, and other habitat rehabilitation efforts.
• Hunting and Poaching of wild animals should prevented.
• Sustainable agriculture practice should be followed.
• Local communities can be invloved in the conservation efforts.
• Raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation.

Why should you conserve Biodiversity?

We should conserve biodiversity because:

• Biodiversity help in maintaing stability and resilience of the ecosystem.
• Ecosystem also provides various services like air, water, and food. Therfore, our survival is dependent on it.
• Many medicines are derived from plants and animals.
• Biodiversity act as a reservoir of genetic resource.
• It provide various services like pollination, soil fertility, and climate regulation.

FAQs on Biodiversity Conservation

1. Why is Biodiversity Conservation Important?

Biodiversity Conservation is important to maintain stability in the ecosystem and for the well-being of humans as they depend on various species.

2. How do Human Activities Contribute to Biodiversity Loss?

Human activities involve over-exploitation of natural resources and negatively impact the ecosystem due to deforestation and pollution.

3. What is the Role of Protected Areas in Biodiversity Conservation?

The protected areas such as National Parks, Zoological Parks, and Wildlife Sanctuaries serve as refuges for diverse species protecting them from extinction.

4. List Some National Parks in India.

Some National Parks in India are Corbett National Park, Gir National Park, and Kaziranga National Park

5. What is the Difference Between In-situ and Ex-situ Conservation Methods?

The In-situ conservation method protects the endangered species in their natural habitat whereas in the Ex-situ conservation method, threatened species are shifted from their natural habitat to a special artificial setting.