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 Social Value
The social values are linked to consumptive and productive value of

biodiversity.‘Ecosystem people’ or traditional societies value biodiversity as a
part of their livelihood, as well as through cultural and religious sentiments.
Cultivation of rice and many other cereals are linked to certain social culture
and customs.
Ethical and Moral Values
There are several cultural, moral and ethical values which are associated with
the sanctity of all forms of life. Nature in Indian civilisation has been preserved
for hundreds of generations through local traditions and customs.Tribal people
in several states of our country have a number of sacred groves or ‘deorais’
around ancient sacred sites and temples.This acts as gene banks for several wild
plants.
 Optional values
There arevarious type of values are shown in Table below.
TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY
 Genetic Diversity
Within each member of any animal or plant species there are often found a
number of varieties or races or strains which slightly differ from each other in
one, two or a number of characteristics such as shape, size, resistance to insects,
pests and diseases, ability to withstand adverse conditions of environment, etc.
These differences result as individualffer
di widely from others of its own species
in its genetic make-up, owing to the large number of combinations possible in the
genes that give every individual its specific characteristics. This diversity in the
genetic make-up of a species is referred to as genetic diversity.
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 Species Diversity
In any ecosystem the biotic component is composed of a few species only or a

large number of microbe, plant and animals species. These species react and
interact with each other and with the abiotic factors of the environment. The
diversity related to the numbers and relative abundance of species within a
community are referred to as species diversity.
 Components of species diversity
 Alpha diversity:
This is the local diversity which is expressed as the number of species in a small
area of more or less uniform habitat, Alpha or local diversity is, thus, sensitive to
habitat, area and intensity of sampling effort.
 Beta diversity:
The diffference in species from one habitat to the next is referred to as beta
greater is the beta diversity.
 Gamma diversity:
Gamma or regional diversity is the total number of species observed in all

habitats within a region or geographic area that includes no significant barriers
to dispersal of organisms. The boundaries of a region thus depend on which
organisms we consider. The distribution of species within a region reflects their
selection of suitable habitats rather than their inability to disperse to a
particular locality.
diversity. The greater the turnover or difference of species between habitats, the
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FACTORS AFFECTING BIODIVERSITY
The conservation of biodiversity throughout the world is of significance for the
mankind and indeed to the constancy of the whole world. The vast genetic
variety available in terrestrial plants, animals and micro-organisms offers a
wealth of possibilities for the betterment of mankind in the production of foods
and medicines.
CAUSES OF REDUCTION IN BIODIVERSITY
 Destruction of natural ecosystems

The expanding human establishments has contributed largely to the rapid
declinein biodiversity.
The destruction of natural eco-systems are :
 The Boreal Coniferous forests of the north are probably the modest as
far as losses of biological diversity is concerned.
 Temperate and Sub-tropical regions consisting of coniferous forests

are now reduced to isolated patches of forest and woodland, standing
amidst vast stretches of plains, the grass prairies of North America,
Cedar groves of Lebanon and the hardwood forests of Europe are fast
disappearing. Only 12.3 million hectares out of the original 31 million
hectares has been left.
 Tropical regions comprising of developing countries (often designated

as mega diversity countries) are endowed with the richest flora and fauna of the
world.
 Adverse changes in environment
Biotic and abiotic factors of environment may undergo unfavorable changes

resulting in reduction of biodiversity.
These changes are :
 Environmental pollution.
 Over-exploitation of selected species.
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CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
Being one of the so-called mega diversity countries, India has a broad range of
ecosys tems that contain a vast array of flora and fauna. The loss of biodiversity
is occurring worldwide and in India, too, this trend pre sents a clear threat.
India is committed to biodiversity conservation. It has developed an
extensive system of parks and sanctuaries covering more than 4 percent of its
land areas.
:
Conservation steps have been taken in the following ways
 IN-SITU CONSERVATION
Biodiversity at all levels can be best preserved by setting aside an adequate

representation of wilderness as protected areas through in-situ conservation.
Setting up a network of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries etc., each with
distinctive ecosystems, would preserve the total diversity of life of a region.
The conservation of genetic resources through their main tenance within natural
or even human-made ecosystems in which they occur is termed as in-situ
conservation. It includes a system of protected areas of different categories, man-
aged with different objectives to bring benefit to the society.
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grown in number and are successfully laying two clutches of eggs a year, com
pared to one in the wild. The Guwahati zoo has been successfully breeding the
very rare pygmy hog, while the Delhi zoo has successfully bred the rare Manipur
browantlered deer.
The success of the breeding programme also lies in the reintroduction of these
species into its original wilderness. This requires reconstruction of the degraded
habitat and stringent measures to be taken against poaching or other man-made
disturbances, which had been the primary cause for the reduction in such species
population.
 CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY THROUGH ECO-DEVELOPMENT
India’s Forest Research Education and Extension Project (FREEP) have enlisted
local communities to preserve its precious biodiversity through a strategy known
as eco-development.
Eco-development involves developing alternative resources and sources of income

for the many thousands of poor people who depend on pro tected natural habitats
for their livelihood. This has initiated groups of villagers to take responsibility
for conserving natural resources in nearby forests.
India has traditionally relied on policing to safeguard its protected areas. They
have used walls, gates, guards and guns to protect parks, sanctuaries etc., which
have proved ineffective in preventing exploitation of these areas by local
communities.
It has often led to confrontation between wildlife authorities and villagers.
FREEP has launched a long-term initiative to strengthen India’s forestry
research system, improve forestry education and expedite the use of research
findings in forestry extension.
The biodiversity conser vation activities of FREEP have provided experience that
has proved useful for ano ther program, the Eco-development Project, financed
by International Development Association (IDA) and the Global Environ ment
Facility Trust Fund.
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CONCLUSION
Having reached the end of this module, it is time for a small review. Biodiversity
is a concept that has no general definition. Usually it is used in a context that
stresses the need for attention on our living environment and the sustainable use
of natural resources.
Biodiversity can be divided in different types such as habitat, species
is an adequate method in dealing with the matter of biodiversity.
Loss of biodiversity and biodiversity conservation are concepts that

provide the basis for biodiversity management. The management of biodiversity
is a complex matter that needs the involvement of many different partners
ranging from governmental organisations to private companies, NGO's and
volunteers.
This aside, national and international commitment, legislation and

enforcement offer an essential framework for promoting and
maintaining biodiversity.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Biodiversity and its Conservation bySatena Kum
ar
 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiversity
 https://www.scribd.com/mobile/doc/6559599/Biodiversity-and-Its-
Conservation
 Biodiversity : An Introduction by John Spicerand Kevin J. Gaston

.
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 Social Value

The social values are linked to consumptive and productive value of

Ethical and Moral Values

There arevarious type of values are shown in Table below.

In any ecosystem the biotic component is composed of a few species only or a

 Components of species diversity

greater is the beta diversity.

Gamma or regional diversity is the total number of species observed in all

CAUSES OF REDUCTION IN BIODIVERSITY

 Destruction of natural ecosystems

The destruction of natural eco-systems are :

 Temperate and Sub-tropical regions consisting of coniferous forests

 Tropical regions comprising of developing countries (often designated

 Adverse changes in environment

Biotic and abiotic factors of environment may undergo unfavorable changes

These changes are :

Biodiversity at all levels can be best preserved by setting aside an adequate

 CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY THROUGH ECO-DEVELOPMENT

Eco-development involves developing alternative resources and sources of income

Biodiversity can be divided in different types such as habitat, species

is an adequate method in dealing with the matter of biodiversity.

Loss of biodiversity and biodiversity conservation are concepts that

This aside, national and international commitment, legislation and

 Biodiversity : An Introduction by John Spicerand Kevin J. Gaston

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