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Environmental Science Project Class 10th year 2022 ICSE

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class 10 icse project on biodiversity

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EVS PROJECT PRESENTED BY- MOHAMMAD RUSHAAN 10-E
ACKNOLEDGEMENT • I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my teacher (Name of the teacher) as well as our principal (Name of the principal)who gave me the golden opportunity to do this wonderful project on the topic (Write the topic name), which also helped me in doing a lot of Research and i came to know about so many new things I am really thankful to them. Secondly i would also like to thank my parents and friends who helped me a lot in finalizing this project within the limited time frame.
CONTENT • What is biodiversity • Count of biodiversity • Importance of biodiversity • Threat to biodiversity • Ways to conserve biodiversity • Ways in which we can conserve biodiversity • Vow to save earth • Bibliography
WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY • Biodiversity is a term used to describe the enormous variety of life on Earth. It can be used more specifically to refer to all of the species in one region or ecosystem. Biodiversity refers to every living thing, including plants, bacteria, animals, and humans. Scientists have estimated that there are around 8.7 million species of plants and animals in existence. However, only around 1.2 million species have been identified and described so far, most of which are insects. This means that millions of other organisms remain a complete mystery. • Over generations, all of the species that are currently alive today have evolved unique traits that make them distinct from other species. Organisms that have evolved to be so different from one another that they can no longer reproduce with each other are considered different species. All organisms that can reproduce with each other fall into one species. • Scientists are interested in how much biodiversity there is on a global scale, given that there is still so much biodiversity to discover. They also study how many species exist in single ecosystems, such as a forest, grassland, tundra, or lake. A single grassland can contain a wide range of species, from beetles to snakes to antelopes. Ecosystems that host the most biodiversity tend to have ideal environmental conditions for plant growth, like the warm and wet climate of tropical regions. Ecosystems can also contain species too small to see with the naked eye. Looking at samples of soil or water through a microscope reveals a whole world of bacteria and other tiny organisms. • Some areas in the world, such as areas of Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, the southwestern United States, and Madagascar, have more biodiversity than others. Areas with extremely high levels of biodiversity are called hotspots. • All of the Earth’s species work together to survive and maintain their ecosystems. For example, the grass in pastures feeds cattle. Cattle then produce manure that returns nutrients to the soil, which helps to grow more grass. This manure can also be used to fertilize cropland. Many species provide important benefits to humans, including food, clothing, and medicine. • Much of the Earth’s biodiversity, however, is in jeopardy due to human consumption and other activities that disturb and even destroy ecosystems. These threats have caused an unprecedented rise in the rate of species extinction. Some scientists estimate that half of all species on Earth will be wiped out within the next century. Conservation efforts are necessary to preserve biodiversity and protect endangered species and their habitats.
COUNT OF BIODIVERSITY • A common way to measure biodiversity is to count the total number of species living within a particular area. Tropical regions, areas that are warm year-round, have the most biodiversity. Temperate regions, which have warm summers and cold winters, have less biodiversity. Regions with cold or dry conditions, such as mountaintops and deserts, have even less. Generally, the closer a region is to the Equator, the greater the biodiversity. At least 40,000 different plant species live in the Amazon rain forest of South America, one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet. Only about 2,800 live in Canada’s Quebec province. The warm waters of the western Pacific and Indian Oceans tend to be the most diverse marine environments. The Bird’s Head Seascape in Indonesia is home to more than 1,200 species of fish and 600 species of coral. Many of the corals build coral reefs, which are home to hundreds more species, from tiny seaweeds to large sharks. Some places in the world have a large number of endemic species—species that exist only in that place. The Cape Floristic Region in South Africa is home to about 6,200 plant species found nowhere else in the world. Biodiversity can also refer to the variety of ecosystems—communities of living things and their environments. Ecosystems include deserts, grasslands, and rain forests. The continent of Africa is home to tropical rain forests, alpine mountains, and dry deserts. It enjoys a high level of biodiversity. Antarctica, covered almost entirely by an ice sheet, has low biodiversity. Another way to measure biodiversity is genetic diversity. Genes are the basic units of biological information passed on when living things reproduce. Some species have as many as 400,000 genes. (Human beings have about 25,000 genes, while rice has more than 56,000.) Some of these genes are the same for all individuals within a species—they’re what make a daisy a daisy and a dog a dog. But some genes within a species are different. This genetic variation is why some dogs are poodles and some are pit bulls. It’s why some people have brown eyes and some people have blue eyes. Greater genetic diversity in species can make plants and animals more resistant to diseases. Genetic diversity also allows species to better adapt to a changing environment.
importance • 1. Biodiversity Ensures Health and Food Security. • Biodiversity underpins global nutrition and food security. Millions of species work together to provide us with a large array of fruits, vegetables and animal products essential to a healthy, balanced diet – but they are increasingly under threat. • Every country has indigenous produce – such as wild greens and grains – which have adapted to local conditions, making them more resilient to pests and extreme weather. In the past, this produce provided much-needed micronutrients for local populations. Unfortunately, however, the simplification of diets, processed foods and poor access to food have led to poor-quality diets. As a result, one-third of the world suffers from micronutrient deficiencies. • Three crops – wheat, corn and rice – provide almost 60% of total plant-based calories consumed by humans. This leads to reduced resiliency in our supply chains and on our plates. For example, the number of rice varieties cultivated in Asia has dropped from tens of thousands to just a few dozen; in Thailand, 50% of land used for growing rice only produces two varieties. Ecosystems with a lot of biodiversity are generally stronger and more resistant to disaster than those with fewer species. For instance, some diseases kill only one kind of tree. In the early 1900s, American chestnut blight killed most of the chestnut trees in the eastern forests of North America. The forest ecosystem survived because other kinds of trees also grew there. • People once understood that the conservation of species was crucial for healthy societies and ecosystems. We must ensure this knowledge remains part of our modern agricultural and food systems to prevent diet-related diseases and reduce the environmental impact of feeding ourselves. • 2. Biodiversity Helps Fight Disease. • Higher rates of biodiversity have been linked to an increase in human health. • First, plants are essential for medicines. For example, 25% of drugs used in modern medicine are derived from rainforest plants while 70% of cancer drugs are natural or synthetic products inspired by nature. This means that every time a species goes extinct, we miss out on a potential new medicine. • Second, biodiversity due to protected natural areas has been linked to lower instances of disease such as Lyme disease and malaria. 60% of infectious diseases originate from animals and 70% of emerging infectious diseases originate from wildlife. As human activities encroach upon the natural world, through deforestation and urbanization, we reduce the size and number of ecosystems. As a result, animals live in closer quarters with one another and with humans, creating ideal conditions for the spread of zoonotic diseases. • 3. Biodiversity Benefits Business. • According to the World Economic Forum’s recent Nature Risk Rising Report, more than half of the world’s GDP ( trillion) is highly or moderately dependent on nature. Many businesses are, therefore, at risk due to increasing nature loss. Global sales of pharmaceuticals based on materials of natural origin are worth an estimated billion a year, while natural wonders such as coral reefs are essential to food and tourism. • There is great potential for the economy to grow and become more resilient by ensuring biodiversity. Every dollar spent on nature restoration leads to at least of economic benefits. In addition, changing agricultural and food production methods could unlock .5 trillion per year in new business opportunities by 2030, while also preventing trillions of dollars’ worth of social and environmental harms. • 4. Biodiversity Provides Livelihoods. • Humans derive approximately 5 trillion of value from natural ecosystems each year. Globally, three out of four jobs are dependent on water while the agricultural sector employs over 60% of the world’s working poor. In the Global South, forests are the source of livelihoods for over 1.6 billion people. In India, forest ecosystems contribute only 7% to India’s GDP yet 57% of rural Indian communities’ livelihoods. • Ecosystems, therefore, must be protected and restored – not only for the good of nature but also for the communities that depend on them. • Although some fear environmental regulation and the safeguarding of nature could threaten businesses, the “restoration economy” – the restoration of natural landscapes – provides more jobs in the United States than most of the extractives sector, with the potential to create even more. According to some estimates, the restoration economy is worth billion per year and directly employs more than the coal, mining, logging and steel industries altogether. Nature-positive businesses can provide cost-effective, robot-proof, business-friendly jobs that stimulate the rural economy without harming the environment. • 5. Biodiversity Protects Us. • Biodiversity makes the earth habitable. Biodiverse ecosystems provide nature-based solutions that buffer us from natural disasters such as floods and storms, filter our water and regenerate our soils, plants provide oxygen • The clearance of over 35% of the world’s mangroves for human activities has increasingly put people and their homes at risk from floods and sea-level rise. If today’s mangroves were lost, 18 million more people would be flooded every year (an increase of 39%) and annual damages to property would increase by 16% ( billion). • Protecting and restoring natural ecosystems is vital to fighting climate change. Nature-based solutions could provide 37% of the cost-effective CO2 mitigation needed by 2030 to maintain global warming within 2°C (35.6 F). • Natural ecosystems provide the foundations for economic growth, human health and prosperity. Our fate as a species is deeply connected to the fate of our natural environment. • As ecosystems are increasingly threatened by human activity, acknowledging the benefits of biodiversity is the first step in ensuring that we look after it. We know biodiversity matters. Now, as a society, we should protect it – and in doing so, protect our own long-term interests.
THREAT TO BIODIVERSITY • In the past hundred years, biodiversity around the world has decreased dramatically. Many species have gone extinct. Extinction is a natural process; some species naturally die out while new species evolve. But human activity has changed the natural processes of extinction and evolution. Scientists estimate that species are dying out at hundreds of times the natural rate. As habitats shrink, fewer individuals can live there. The creatures that survive have fewer breeding partners, so genetic diversity declines. • The threats to biodiversity are- • Habitat Fragmentation • Ecosystem conversion and ecosystem degradation contribute to habitat fragmentation, hence decline in biodiversity . Habitat loss from exploitation of resources and cutting down of forests for agricultural conversion, and urbanization is the largest factor contributing to the loss of biodiversity. The consequent fragmentation of habitat results in small isolated patches of land that cannot maintain populations of species into the future. Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, at 974,046 hectares, is British Columbia’s largest provincial park and is big enough to maintain much of the composition, structure and function of biodiversity within the protected area. However, smaller provincial parks, such as Buccaneer Bay at less than one hectare in size, will not be able to maintain all of its original biodiversity in isolation. Scientists report that the effect of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity may not be fully realized for decades after habitat is degraded. Therefore, habitat connectivity must be considered in current management practices to prevent the devastating effects of fragmentation on biodiversity. • Decline of native species • Infestation by non-native species, is also a major threat to ecosystems. The intentional and inadvertent introductions of a wide variety of species to ecosystems in which they do not belong have resulted in ecosystems that differ radically in structure and function from those originally present. Exotic species are typically introduced into ecosystems without their co-evolved predators and parasites, which enables an alien invader to out-compete native species with similar ecological requirements. In British Columbia, plants such as Knapweed, introduced to arid grasslands, and Purple Loosestrife, introduced to marsh and riparian areas, are rapidly becoming dominant plant species in their respective ecosystems. The interactions between native species are altered or destroyed by these exotic species, and can result in the loss of native biodiversity. • Pollution • Atmospheric and hydrologic pollution have far-reaching negative effects on biodiversity. Pollution from burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas can remain in the air as particle pollutants or fall to the ground as acid rain. Acid rain, which is primarily composed of sulfuric and nitric acid, causes acidification of lakes, streams and sensitive forest soils, and contributes to slower forest growth and tree damage at high elevations. In addition, chemical pollutants such as pesticides and herbicides leach into soils and watersheds. Some fish species, such as salmons, require small freshwater streams to spawn. Polluted streams result in the abandonment of traditional spawning areas and ultimately in the loss of salmon populations. Species’ sensitivity to pollution is variable. However, many species are vulnerable to the indirect effects of pollution through the concentration of toxic chemicals in top predators of food chains and disruption of predator-prey interactions. • Global Climate Change • Carbon dioxide released from burning fossil fuels and biomass, deforestation, and agricultural practices contributes to greenhouse gases, which prevent heat from escaping the earth’s surface. With the increase in temperature expected from increasing greenhouse gases, there will be higher levels of air pollution, greater variability in weather patterns, and changes in the distribution of vegetation in the landscape. Some species will not be able to adapt to these changes in the environment and will become extinct. However, it is expected that many plant and animal species will attempt to disperse to higher latitudes and altitudes as the temperature increases. Therefore, any barriers in the
Ways to conserve biodiversity • Even though the biodiversity of many habitats has become threatened there are many things we can do to help reduce this danger. These are some of the steps you can take to conserve biodiversity. • #1 Government legislation • Governments have the power to control what is done to the habitats within their country. Legislation that protects natural habitats by outlawing development, harvesting of natural resources, or other human exploitation has a huge impact on maintaining natural biodiversity. • Additionally, laws protecting specific species like the USA’s Endangered Species Act helps protect animals that have already been impacted [4]. • Protecting habitats before they have been altered is the best form on biodiversity conservation and is most successfully implemented by government regulations. • #2 Nature preserves • Nature preserves are a form of government regulation and are often known as National Parks. They protect a region and the organisms that live there from certain forms of development and provide access for people to visit them. This is excellent because it protects the natural habitat and is a place where people can view the ecosystem. • The goal is that over time this helps people have more respect for the natural world and increases pressure on government to further protect other areas. • Currently 12 percent of earth’s surface is covered by nature preserves. • In India there are several acts and projects which protect the biodiversity . The wildlife protection act 1972 and project tiger 1973 to name a few. These projects and acts ensure the wellbeing of biodiversity in India. • #3 Reducing amount of invasive species • Invasive species are sometimes introduced to an area on purpose, but also sometimes by accident. To limit the number of invasive species moved by accident planes, ships, and cargo must be thoroughly checked before it is offloaded in a new country. Additionally, people should not bring new species of animals or plants to an area without consulting ecologists knowledgeable on the region. • #4 Habitat restoration • After an area is damaged by human impacts we can try to return it to its natural state. This means bringing back the plants and animals that are naturally found there. This has been shown to be a promising way of returning biodiversity to a region. One example of this is the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park. When wolves returned to the region they ate more elk and coyote, which increased the prey species of the coyote and let riparian (river bank) areas trampled by elk recover [4]. There can be no better way to conserve biodiversity than to restore their natural habitat which they have adapted to over the centuries. These restoration projects can be undertaken by governments, local organizations, or NGOs.
• #5 Captive breeding and seed banks • Captive breeding is when animals in captivity (often at zoos) are bred. This is seen as somewhat controversial, as it requires the capture of animals that are often near extinction. On the positive side it provides the opportunity to increase the population of the species, so they can be reintroduced into the wild [4].this ensures the healthy well being of the species and is the only way of reviving the species on the verge of extinction. • Seed banks are areas where huge varieties of plant seeds are stored. This provides a failsafe if a species goes extinct in nature. The plant can be grown from a saved seed and reintroduced back into its habitat. This can save the habitat of several; animals and can prevent any major disbalance in the ecosystem • This is a very real issue and seed banks have been collecting samples for many years, with some seed banks having over 2 billion seeds stored at a time • #6 Research • Understanding how species interact within their environment is crucial to protecting them. As humans further understand species interaction we find new and more direct ways to help protect organisms and maintain biodiversity. • One example is the use of wildlife corridors in urbanized areas. By researching many different species we have found that this dramatically increase their populations [9]. It reduces the number of animals that come into direct contact with humans and provides areas for migratory animals to move long distances. • #7 Reduce climate change • As we know, climate change has disastrous consequences for all living things on earth. We use huge amounts of fossil fuels, which directly cause climate change and is responsible for heavy loss in the habitat of several animals and birds which results in loss of biodiversity • We need to move away from fossil fuels and towards alternative energy sources and natural or sustainable products. Reducing the effects of climate change requires a worldwide effort and if done in the proper way can not only increase the biodiversity but reduce several other problems which we face. • #8Education • As with most environmental topics, education is one of the keys to success. Educating people about the importance of biodiversity conservation increases public awareness of the issue. As public awareness increases people become more involved and eventually influence their government representatives, pushing for more environmental protection. • Government legislation protecting our natural environments is one of the most effective ways of protecting biodiversity.
Simple things we can do to save biodiversity • The first initiative that we can take towards saving biodiversity is Sustainable living and we can follow it in the following ways • 1. Purchase products that have eco-labels for reference. These labels allow consumers to learn exactly products are made from and the percentages of the ingredients in a particular food or household item. • 2. Recycle all plastic and glass products as a household. This process prevents the overuse of petroleum products in the making of items, as well as, protects trees and forests used in paper products. • 3. Reduce or eliminate the use of products that come in aerosol cans. These products are known to damage the ozone layer, the environment and to add to the pollution of the air that we breathe. • 4. Purchase eco-friendly appliances for your home and office. There are many brands and types of appliances in this category that are designed to utilize less energy and to reduce utility costs. • 5. Use energy conserving light bulbs around your house. It is possible to purchase LED light bulbs for all of your fixtures, lamps and recess locations to improve overall efficiency and protect the environment. • 6. Eat more organically grown produce items. These are fruits and vegetables that were grown without the use of harmful fertilizers that are often made from a vast array of chemicals and components. • 7. Select times to walk to work or play activities instead of driving your vehicle. This healthy option reduces emissions in the air which negatively or harmfully impacts both plants and animals. • 29. Install surge protectors in your home office. This is a good way to conserve energy and space, because you can use one source to plug multiple appliances at the same time. • 8. Purchase meat products of animals fed grass or organic feed items. Animals in this category produce safer meat for consumption because they do not have added hormones or chemicals. • 9. Support restaurants and fast food locations that use recycled paper products. These businesses make a point of purchasing products that are green and that promote global deforestation efforts. • 10. Consider purchasing a vehicle that uses less fuel or that functions electrically. These vehicles are available in different sizes and styles and provide consumers with alternate transportation options. • 11. Purchase energy efficient electronics and computers. Items in this category were designed to use less energy overall through components like batteries, wiring and other conservation details. • 12. Garden and get rid of outdoor pests, using natural soil and composting efforts. This allows you to grow plants and vegetables without the use of products including chemicals and pesticides. • 13. Consume produce that has not been genetically modified. These fruits and vegetables were generally grown through natural means and offer health benefits, vitamins and nutrients. • 14. Pick up litter from parks, yards and gardens in the community. Many of the items littered, such as, cans and plastics are not biodegradable and can affect habitats negatively when left alone. • 15. Purchase seafood items that have been certified. These are normally fish and other items that come from fisheries that are fully sustainable and operate ethically and environmentally conscious. • 16. Use batteries that are rechargeable and buy related kits. This practice not only cuts your cost of purchasing batteries but reduces lead and other metals utilized in their production. • 17. Hire cleaning companies and services that use green products. These companies’ perform cleaning services without the use of products that include harsh chemicals and those that are in aerosol cans.
• 18. Turn lights off after leaving a room. This is a practice that promotes the use of less electricity overall and it also can have a budget- friendly impact on your household or office utilities. • 19. Use green insulation products to protect your home and business. These products include green components for walls and attics and other household areas and do not have chemical ingredients. • 20. Plant a variety of flowers in gardens and yards outside the home. This is a way to promote our immune systems, pollination and to maintain bee populations and the making of local honey products. • 21. Purchase a shower timer for the bathrooms in your home. This type of product is used to reduce the amount of water each household uses and can help to lower utility costs in this area. • 22. Limit the use of a dryer for laundry activities. Install an indoor clothes hanger to allow apparel to dry naturally without the use of energy and electricity for the same goal. • 23. Recycle all paper and cardboard products. You can store these products for recycling and benefit the environment because they can be used to make liners, egg cartons and various other items. • 24. Use water-based paints for decoration projects. These are paint products produced without chemical components that can lead to breathing problems and allergies. • 25. Close your curtains during the summer months of the year. This practice allows you to cool the rooms of your house without using air conditioning or fans reduce energy consumption. • 26. Barbecue or grill outdoors with natural gas equipment instead of charcoal grills. Charcoal grills operate by putting fossil fuel into the air and increasing the production of pollution. • 27. Purchase cosmetic products that are produced from natural oils. There are many products in this category that do not include chemicals and dyes, and provide consumers with healthy alternatives. • 28. Schedule and run multiple errands at one time each week. Cutting back on trips around town can be done through consolidation and taking care of a variety of things in one single trip. • 30. Plant trees near your home to produce shade during the summer. Strategic tree placement can help you to cool the rooms of your home and to use less energy for this process. • 31. Purchase sink water filter product for your kitchen. This is a healthy way to filter drinking and cooking water, as well as, reducing the purchase of costly bottled water products. • 32. Reduce waste of household food resources. Organize food purchases and storage methods to avoid the waste of these resources and negative impacts on your budget. • 33. Do your yard work with hand tools whenever possible. Brooms, hedge cutters and shovels allow for a good workout and do not require gasoline to operate effectively. • 34. Purchase geothermal heat pumps for homes and businesses. These are examples of products that run by harnessing heat from the ground and offer more efficiency. • 35. Regularly maintain the operation of your vehicle. Checking various components and engine levels helps the vehicle to function efficiently and to use less fuel overall.
VOW TO SAVE THE EARTH • Protecting biodiversity is one way that we all can plan for the future. This is a topic that plays a role in how well we will live past the current time. Ecosystems and habitats including plants and animals are negatively impacted by bad practices. The production of life-saving medicine, clean water and healthy food choices is connected to biodiversity. As the world’s population grows, so does the stress placed on the environment. It is up to us to find ways to consume less, produce products that are green and that reduce the use of fossil fuels. • SO LET ALL OF US TAKE A VOW TO FOLLOW THE STEPS AS MUCH AS WE CAN AND CREATE A BETTER PLANET, THE PLANET WHICH WE DESRVE.
BIBLIOGRAPHY • BOOKS- • ICSE environmental science class 10 by amita ganguly from marina publications. • WEBSITES- • www.conserve-energy-future.com • education.nationalgeographic.org • www.worldwildlife.org • www.naturetrust.bc.ca • greentumble.com • www.ecowatch.com
IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY • All species are interconnected. They depend on one another. Forests provide homes for animals. Animals eat plants. The plants need healthy soil to grow. Fungi help decompose organisms to fertilize the soil. Bees and other insects carry pollen from one plant to another, which enables the plants to reproduce. With less biodiversity, these connections weaken and sometimes break, harming all the species in the ecosystem. • Ecosystems with a lot of biodiversity are generally stronger and more resistant to disaster than those with fewer species. For instance, some diseases kill only one kind of tree. In the early 1900s, American chestnut blight killed most of the chestnut trees in the eastern forests of North America. The forest ecosystem survived because other kinds of trees also grew there. Biodiversity is important to people in many ways. Plants, for instance, help humans by giving off oxygen. They also provide food, shade, construction material, medicines, and fiber for clothing and paper. The root system of plants helps prevent flooding. Plants, fungi, and animals such as worms keep soil fertile and water clean. As biodiversity decreases, these systems break down. • One example of this is Kenya’s Lake Turkana — the world’s largest desert lake, a habitat for a variety of wildlife including birds, Nile crocodiles and hippos and a source of food and income for about 300,000 people. The lake is under heavy pressure because of overfishing, cyclical drought, changing rainfall patterns and the diversion of water by upstream developments, and these changes are leading to a loss of biodiversity, declines in fisheries’ yields and a reduced ability to support humans. Without conservation methods in place, this could be the fate of many more ecosystems. Hundreds of industries rely on plant biodiversity. Agriculture, construction, medical and pharmaceutical, fashion, tourism, and hospitality all depend on plants for their success. When the biodiversity of an ecosystem is interrupted or destroyed, the economic impact on the local community could be enormous. • The destruction of forest ecosystems is responsible for 11 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans, so conserving forests would stop the release of these gases into the atmosphere. Trees and plants also store carbon in their tissue, making it even more necessary to protect them. Biodiversity is especially important to the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Scientists have discovered many chemicals in rain forest plants that are now used in helpful drugs. One of the most popular and safe pain relievers, aspirin, was originally made from the bark of willow trees. Medicines that treat some forms of cancer have been made from the rosy periwinkle, a flower that grows on the African island of Madagascar. Scientists have studied only a small percentage of rain forest species in their search for cures. But every year, thousands of species go extinct, or die out entirely, before scientists can determine whether they might be useful in medicines. • Agriculture industry is also benefitted by the plant diversity as they can grow multiple crops and if any crop species suffers , they still have other crop species to continue their livelihood , and food crisis can be averted.
Environmental Science Project Class 10th year 2022 ICSE
Environmental Science Project Class 10th year 2022 ICSE

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Environmental Science Project Class 10th year 2022 ICSE

  • 2. ACKNOLEDGEMENT • I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my teacher (Name of the teacher) as well as our principal (Name of the principal)who gave me the golden opportunity to do this wonderful project on the topic (Write the topic name), which also helped me in doing a lot of Research and i came to know about so many new things I am really thankful to them. Secondly i would also like to thank my parents and friends who helped me a lot in finalizing this project within the limited time frame.
  • 3. CONTENT • What is biodiversity • Count of biodiversity • Importance of biodiversity • Threat to biodiversity • Ways to conserve biodiversity • Ways in which we can conserve biodiversity • Vow to save earth • Bibliography
  • 4. WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY • Biodiversity is a term used to describe the enormous variety of life on Earth. It can be used more specifically to refer to all of the species in one region or ecosystem. Biodiversity refers to every living thing, including plants, bacteria, animals, and humans. Scientists have estimated that there are around 8.7 million species of plants and animals in existence. However, only around 1.2 million species have been identified and described so far, most of which are insects. This means that millions of other organisms remain a complete mystery. • Over generations, all of the species that are currently alive today have evolved unique traits that make them distinct from other species. Organisms that have evolved to be so different from one another that they can no longer reproduce with each other are considered different species. All organisms that can reproduce with each other fall into one species. • Scientists are interested in how much biodiversity there is on a global scale, given that there is still so much biodiversity to discover. They also study how many species exist in single ecosystems, such as a forest, grassland, tundra, or lake. A single grassland can contain a wide range of species, from beetles to snakes to antelopes. Ecosystems that host the most biodiversity tend to have ideal environmental conditions for plant growth, like the warm and wet climate of tropical regions. Ecosystems can also contain species too small to see with the naked eye. Looking at samples of soil or water through a microscope reveals a whole world of bacteria and other tiny organisms. • Some areas in the world, such as areas of Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, the southwestern United States, and Madagascar, have more biodiversity than others. Areas with extremely high levels of biodiversity are called hotspots. • All of the Earth’s species work together to survive and maintain their ecosystems. For example, the grass in pastures feeds cattle. Cattle then produce manure that returns nutrients to the soil, which helps to grow more grass. This manure can also be used to fertilize cropland. Many species provide important benefits to humans, including food, clothing, and medicine. • Much of the Earth’s biodiversity, however, is in jeopardy due to human consumption and other activities that disturb and even destroy ecosystems. These threats have caused an unprecedented rise in the rate of species extinction. Some scientists estimate that half of all species on Earth will be wiped out within the next century. Conservation efforts are necessary to preserve biodiversity and protect endangered species and their habitats.
  • 5. COUNT OF BIODIVERSITY • A common way to measure biodiversity is to count the total number of species living within a particular area. Tropical regions, areas that are warm year-round, have the most biodiversity. Temperate regions, which have warm summers and cold winters, have less biodiversity. Regions with cold or dry conditions, such as mountaintops and deserts, have even less. Generally, the closer a region is to the Equator, the greater the biodiversity. At least 40,000 different plant species live in the Amazon rain forest of South America, one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet. Only about 2,800 live in Canada’s Quebec province. The warm waters of the western Pacific and Indian Oceans tend to be the most diverse marine environments. The Bird’s Head Seascape in Indonesia is home to more than 1,200 species of fish and 600 species of coral. Many of the corals build coral reefs, which are home to hundreds more species, from tiny seaweeds to large sharks. Some places in the world have a large number of endemic species—species that exist only in that place. The Cape Floristic Region in South Africa is home to about 6,200 plant species found nowhere else in the world. Biodiversity can also refer to the variety of ecosystems—communities of living things and their environments. Ecosystems include deserts, grasslands, and rain forests. The continent of Africa is home to tropical rain forests, alpine mountains, and dry deserts. It enjoys a high level of biodiversity. Antarctica, covered almost entirely by an ice sheet, has low biodiversity. Another way to measure biodiversity is genetic diversity. Genes are the basic units of biological information passed on when living things reproduce. Some species have as many as 400,000 genes. (Human beings have about 25,000 genes, while rice has more than 56,000.) Some of these genes are the same for all individuals within a species—they’re what make a daisy a daisy and a dog a dog. But some genes within a species are different. This genetic variation is why some dogs are poodles and some are pit bulls. It’s why some people have brown eyes and some people have blue eyes. Greater genetic diversity in species can make plants and animals more resistant to diseases. Genetic diversity also allows species to better adapt to a changing environment.
  • 6. importance • 1. Biodiversity Ensures Health and Food Security. • Biodiversity underpins global nutrition and food security. Millions of species work together to provide us with a large array of fruits, vegetables and animal products essential to a healthy, balanced diet – but they are increasingly under threat. • Every country has indigenous produce – such as wild greens and grains – which have adapted to local conditions, making them more resilient to pests and extreme weather. In the past, this produce provided much-needed micronutrients for local populations. Unfortunately, however, the simplification of diets, processed foods and poor access to food have led to poor-quality diets. As a result, one-third of the world suffers from micronutrient deficiencies. • Three crops – wheat, corn and rice – provide almost 60% of total plant-based calories consumed by humans. This leads to reduced resiliency in our supply chains and on our plates. For example, the number of rice varieties cultivated in Asia has dropped from tens of thousands to just a few dozen; in Thailand, 50% of land used for growing rice only produces two varieties. Ecosystems with a lot of biodiversity are generally stronger and more resistant to disaster than those with fewer species. For instance, some diseases kill only one kind of tree. In the early 1900s, American chestnut blight killed most of the chestnut trees in the eastern forests of North America. The forest ecosystem survived because other kinds of trees also grew there. • People once understood that the conservation of species was crucial for healthy societies and ecosystems. We must ensure this knowledge remains part of our modern agricultural and food systems to prevent diet-related diseases and reduce the environmental impact of feeding ourselves. • 2. Biodiversity Helps Fight Disease. • Higher rates of biodiversity have been linked to an increase in human health. • First, plants are essential for medicines. For example, 25% of drugs used in modern medicine are derived from rainforest plants while 70% of cancer drugs are natural or synthetic products inspired by nature. This means that every time a species goes extinct, we miss out on a potential new medicine. • Second, biodiversity due to protected natural areas has been linked to lower instances of disease such as Lyme disease and malaria. 60% of infectious diseases originate from animals and 70% of emerging infectious diseases originate from wildlife. As human activities encroach upon the natural world, through deforestation and urbanization, we reduce the size and number of ecosystems. As a result, animals live in closer quarters with one another and with humans, creating ideal conditions for the spread of zoonotic diseases. • 3. Biodiversity Benefits Business. • According to the World Economic Forum’s recent Nature Risk Rising Report, more than half of the world’s GDP ( trillion) is highly or moderately dependent on nature. Many businesses are, therefore, at risk due to increasing nature loss. Global sales of pharmaceuticals based on materials of natural origin are worth an estimated billion a year, while natural wonders such as coral reefs are essential to food and tourism. • There is great potential for the economy to grow and become more resilient by ensuring biodiversity. Every dollar spent on nature restoration leads to at least of economic benefits. In addition, changing agricultural and food production methods could unlock .5 trillion per year in new business opportunities by 2030, while also preventing trillions of dollars’ worth of social and environmental harms. • 4. Biodiversity Provides Livelihoods. • Humans derive approximately 5 trillion of value from natural ecosystems each year. Globally, three out of four jobs are dependent on water while the agricultural sector employs over 60% of the world’s working poor. In the Global South, forests are the source of livelihoods for over 1.6 billion people. In India, forest ecosystems contribute only 7% to India’s GDP yet 57% of rural Indian communities’ livelihoods. • Ecosystems, therefore, must be protected and restored – not only for the good of nature but also for the communities that depend on them. • Although some fear environmental regulation and the safeguarding of nature could threaten businesses, the “restoration economy” – the restoration of natural landscapes – provides more jobs in the United States than most of the extractives sector, with the potential to create even more. According to some estimates, the restoration economy is worth billion per year and directly employs more than the coal, mining, logging and steel industries altogether. Nature-positive businesses can provide cost-effective, robot-proof, business-friendly jobs that stimulate the rural economy without harming the environment. • 5. Biodiversity Protects Us. • Biodiversity makes the earth habitable. Biodiverse ecosystems provide nature-based solutions that buffer us from natural disasters such as floods and storms, filter our water and regenerate our soils, plants provide oxygen • The clearance of over 35% of the world’s mangroves for human activities has increasingly put people and their homes at risk from floods and sea-level rise. If today’s mangroves were lost, 18 million more people would be flooded every year (an increase of 39%) and annual damages to property would increase by 16% ( billion). • Protecting and restoring natural ecosystems is vital to fighting climate change. Nature-based solutions could provide 37% of the cost-effective CO2 mitigation needed by 2030 to maintain global warming within 2°C (35.6 F). • Natural ecosystems provide the foundations for economic growth, human health and prosperity. Our fate as a species is deeply connected to the fate of our natural environment. • As ecosystems are increasingly threatened by human activity, acknowledging the benefits of biodiversity is the first step in ensuring that we look after it. We know biodiversity matters. Now, as a society, we should protect it – and in doing so, protect our own long-term interests.
  • 7. THREAT TO BIODIVERSITY • In the past hundred years, biodiversity around the world has decreased dramatically. Many species have gone extinct. Extinction is a natural process; some species naturally die out while new species evolve. But human activity has changed the natural processes of extinction and evolution. Scientists estimate that species are dying out at hundreds of times the natural rate. As habitats shrink, fewer individuals can live there. The creatures that survive have fewer breeding partners, so genetic diversity declines. • The threats to biodiversity are- • Habitat Fragmentation • Ecosystem conversion and ecosystem degradation contribute to habitat fragmentation, hence decline in biodiversity . Habitat loss from exploitation of resources and cutting down of forests for agricultural conversion, and urbanization is the largest factor contributing to the loss of biodiversity. The consequent fragmentation of habitat results in small isolated patches of land that cannot maintain populations of species into the future. Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, at 974,046 hectares, is British Columbia’s largest provincial park and is big enough to maintain much of the composition, structure and function of biodiversity within the protected area. However, smaller provincial parks, such as Buccaneer Bay at less than one hectare in size, will not be able to maintain all of its original biodiversity in isolation. Scientists report that the effect of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity may not be fully realized for decades after habitat is degraded. Therefore, habitat connectivity must be considered in current management practices to prevent the devastating effects of fragmentation on biodiversity. • Decline of native species • Infestation by non-native species, is also a major threat to ecosystems. The intentional and inadvertent introductions of a wide variety of species to ecosystems in which they do not belong have resulted in ecosystems that differ radically in structure and function from those originally present. Exotic species are typically introduced into ecosystems without their co-evolved predators and parasites, which enables an alien invader to out-compete native species with similar ecological requirements. In British Columbia, plants such as Knapweed, introduced to arid grasslands, and Purple Loosestrife, introduced to marsh and riparian areas, are rapidly becoming dominant plant species in their respective ecosystems. The interactions between native species are altered or destroyed by these exotic species, and can result in the loss of native biodiversity. • Pollution • Atmospheric and hydrologic pollution have far-reaching negative effects on biodiversity. Pollution from burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas can remain in the air as particle pollutants or fall to the ground as acid rain. Acid rain, which is primarily composed of sulfuric and nitric acid, causes acidification of lakes, streams and sensitive forest soils, and contributes to slower forest growth and tree damage at high elevations. In addition, chemical pollutants such as pesticides and herbicides leach into soils and watersheds. Some fish species, such as salmons, require small freshwater streams to spawn. Polluted streams result in the abandonment of traditional spawning areas and ultimately in the loss of salmon populations. Species’ sensitivity to pollution is variable. However, many species are vulnerable to the indirect effects of pollution through the concentration of toxic chemicals in top predators of food chains and disruption of predator-prey interactions. • Global Climate Change • Carbon dioxide released from burning fossil fuels and biomass, deforestation, and agricultural practices contributes to greenhouse gases, which prevent heat from escaping the earth’s surface. With the increase in temperature expected from increasing greenhouse gases, there will be higher levels of air pollution, greater variability in weather patterns, and changes in the distribution of vegetation in the landscape. Some species will not be able to adapt to these changes in the environment and will become extinct. However, it is expected that many plant and animal species will attempt to disperse to higher latitudes and altitudes as the temperature increases. Therefore, any barriers in the
  • 8. Ways to conserve biodiversity • Even though the biodiversity of many habitats has become threatened there are many things we can do to help reduce this danger. These are some of the steps you can take to conserve biodiversity. • #1 Government legislation • Governments have the power to control what is done to the habitats within their country. Legislation that protects natural habitats by outlawing development, harvesting of natural resources, or other human exploitation has a huge impact on maintaining natural biodiversity. • Additionally, laws protecting specific species like the USA’s Endangered Species Act helps protect animals that have already been impacted [4]. • Protecting habitats before they have been altered is the best form on biodiversity conservation and is most successfully implemented by government regulations. • #2 Nature preserves • Nature preserves are a form of government regulation and are often known as National Parks. They protect a region and the organisms that live there from certain forms of development and provide access for people to visit them. This is excellent because it protects the natural habitat and is a place where people can view the ecosystem. • The goal is that over time this helps people have more respect for the natural world and increases pressure on government to further protect other areas. • Currently 12 percent of earth’s surface is covered by nature preserves. • In India there are several acts and projects which protect the biodiversity . The wildlife protection act 1972 and project tiger 1973 to name a few. These projects and acts ensure the wellbeing of biodiversity in India. • #3 Reducing amount of invasive species • Invasive species are sometimes introduced to an area on purpose, but also sometimes by accident. To limit the number of invasive species moved by accident planes, ships, and cargo must be thoroughly checked before it is offloaded in a new country. Additionally, people should not bring new species of animals or plants to an area without consulting ecologists knowledgeable on the region. • #4 Habitat restoration • After an area is damaged by human impacts we can try to return it to its natural state. This means bringing back the plants and animals that are naturally found there. This has been shown to be a promising way of returning biodiversity to a region. One example of this is the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park. When wolves returned to the region they ate more elk and coyote, which increased the prey species of the coyote and let riparian (river bank) areas trampled by elk recover [4]. There can be no better way to conserve biodiversity than to restore their natural habitat which they have adapted to over the centuries. These restoration projects can be undertaken by governments, local organizations, or NGOs.
  • 9. • #5 Captive breeding and seed banks • Captive breeding is when animals in captivity (often at zoos) are bred. This is seen as somewhat controversial, as it requires the capture of animals that are often near extinction. On the positive side it provides the opportunity to increase the population of the species, so they can be reintroduced into the wild [4].this ensures the healthy well being of the species and is the only way of reviving the species on the verge of extinction. • Seed banks are areas where huge varieties of plant seeds are stored. This provides a failsafe if a species goes extinct in nature. The plant can be grown from a saved seed and reintroduced back into its habitat. This can save the habitat of several; animals and can prevent any major disbalance in the ecosystem • This is a very real issue and seed banks have been collecting samples for many years, with some seed banks having over 2 billion seeds stored at a time • #6 Research • Understanding how species interact within their environment is crucial to protecting them. As humans further understand species interaction we find new and more direct ways to help protect organisms and maintain biodiversity. • One example is the use of wildlife corridors in urbanized areas. By researching many different species we have found that this dramatically increase their populations [9]. It reduces the number of animals that come into direct contact with humans and provides areas for migratory animals to move long distances. • #7 Reduce climate change • As we know, climate change has disastrous consequences for all living things on earth. We use huge amounts of fossil fuels, which directly cause climate change and is responsible for heavy loss in the habitat of several animals and birds which results in loss of biodiversity • We need to move away from fossil fuels and towards alternative energy sources and natural or sustainable products. Reducing the effects of climate change requires a worldwide effort and if done in the proper way can not only increase the biodiversity but reduce several other problems which we face. • #8Education • As with most environmental topics, education is one of the keys to success. Educating people about the importance of biodiversity conservation increases public awareness of the issue. As public awareness increases people become more involved and eventually influence their government representatives, pushing for more environmental protection. • Government legislation protecting our natural environments is one of the most effective ways of protecting biodiversity.
  • 10. Simple things we can do to save biodiversity • The first initiative that we can take towards saving biodiversity is Sustainable living and we can follow it in the following ways • 1. Purchase products that have eco-labels for reference. These labels allow consumers to learn exactly products are made from and the percentages of the ingredients in a particular food or household item. • 2. Recycle all plastic and glass products as a household. This process prevents the overuse of petroleum products in the making of items, as well as, protects trees and forests used in paper products. • 3. Reduce or eliminate the use of products that come in aerosol cans. These products are known to damage the ozone layer, the environment and to add to the pollution of the air that we breathe. • 4. Purchase eco-friendly appliances for your home and office. There are many brands and types of appliances in this category that are designed to utilize less energy and to reduce utility costs. • 5. Use energy conserving light bulbs around your house. It is possible to purchase LED light bulbs for all of your fixtures, lamps and recess locations to improve overall efficiency and protect the environment. • 6. Eat more organically grown produce items. These are fruits and vegetables that were grown without the use of harmful fertilizers that are often made from a vast array of chemicals and components. • 7. Select times to walk to work or play activities instead of driving your vehicle. This healthy option reduces emissions in the air which negatively or harmfully impacts both plants and animals. • 29. Install surge protectors in your home office. This is a good way to conserve energy and space, because you can use one source to plug multiple appliances at the same time. • 8. Purchase meat products of animals fed grass or organic feed items. Animals in this category produce safer meat for consumption because they do not have added hormones or chemicals. • 9. Support restaurants and fast food locations that use recycled paper products. These businesses make a point of purchasing products that are green and that promote global deforestation efforts. • 10. Consider purchasing a vehicle that uses less fuel or that functions electrically. These vehicles are available in different sizes and styles and provide consumers with alternate transportation options. • 11. Purchase energy efficient electronics and computers. Items in this category were designed to use less energy overall through components like batteries, wiring and other conservation details. • 12. Garden and get rid of outdoor pests, using natural soil and composting efforts. This allows you to grow plants and vegetables without the use of products including chemicals and pesticides. • 13. Consume produce that has not been genetically modified. These fruits and vegetables were generally grown through natural means and offer health benefits, vitamins and nutrients. • 14. Pick up litter from parks, yards and gardens in the community. Many of the items littered, such as, cans and plastics are not biodegradable and can affect habitats negatively when left alone. • 15. Purchase seafood items that have been certified. These are normally fish and other items that come from fisheries that are fully sustainable and operate ethically and environmentally conscious. • 16. Use batteries that are rechargeable and buy related kits. This practice not only cuts your cost of purchasing batteries but reduces lead and other metals utilized in their production. • 17. Hire cleaning companies and services that use green products. These companies’ perform cleaning services without the use of products that include harsh chemicals and those that are in aerosol cans.
  • 11. • 18. Turn lights off after leaving a room. This is a practice that promotes the use of less electricity overall and it also can have a budget- friendly impact on your household or office utilities. • 19. Use green insulation products to protect your home and business. These products include green components for walls and attics and other household areas and do not have chemical ingredients. • 20. Plant a variety of flowers in gardens and yards outside the home. This is a way to promote our immune systems, pollination and to maintain bee populations and the making of local honey products. • 21. Purchase a shower timer for the bathrooms in your home. This type of product is used to reduce the amount of water each household uses and can help to lower utility costs in this area. • 22. Limit the use of a dryer for laundry activities. Install an indoor clothes hanger to allow apparel to dry naturally without the use of energy and electricity for the same goal. • 23. Recycle all paper and cardboard products. You can store these products for recycling and benefit the environment because they can be used to make liners, egg cartons and various other items. • 24. Use water-based paints for decoration projects. These are paint products produced without chemical components that can lead to breathing problems and allergies. • 25. Close your curtains during the summer months of the year. This practice allows you to cool the rooms of your house without using air conditioning or fans reduce energy consumption. • 26. Barbecue or grill outdoors with natural gas equipment instead of charcoal grills. Charcoal grills operate by putting fossil fuel into the air and increasing the production of pollution. • 27. Purchase cosmetic products that are produced from natural oils. There are many products in this category that do not include chemicals and dyes, and provide consumers with healthy alternatives. • 28. Schedule and run multiple errands at one time each week. Cutting back on trips around town can be done through consolidation and taking care of a variety of things in one single trip. • 30. Plant trees near your home to produce shade during the summer. Strategic tree placement can help you to cool the rooms of your home and to use less energy for this process. • 31. Purchase sink water filter product for your kitchen. This is a healthy way to filter drinking and cooking water, as well as, reducing the purchase of costly bottled water products. • 32. Reduce waste of household food resources. Organize food purchases and storage methods to avoid the waste of these resources and negative impacts on your budget. • 33. Do your yard work with hand tools whenever possible. Brooms, hedge cutters and shovels allow for a good workout and do not require gasoline to operate effectively. • 34. Purchase geothermal heat pumps for homes and businesses. These are examples of products that run by harnessing heat from the ground and offer more efficiency. • 35. Regularly maintain the operation of your vehicle. Checking various components and engine levels helps the vehicle to function efficiently and to use less fuel overall.
  • 12. VOW TO SAVE THE EARTH • Protecting biodiversity is one way that we all can plan for the future. This is a topic that plays a role in how well we will live past the current time. Ecosystems and habitats including plants and animals are negatively impacted by bad practices. The production of life-saving medicine, clean water and healthy food choices is connected to biodiversity. As the world’s population grows, so does the stress placed on the environment. It is up to us to find ways to consume less, produce products that are green and that reduce the use of fossil fuels. • SO LET ALL OF US TAKE A VOW TO FOLLOW THE STEPS AS MUCH AS WE CAN AND CREATE A BETTER PLANET, THE PLANET WHICH WE DESRVE.
  • 13. BIBLIOGRAPHY • BOOKS- • ICSE environmental science class 10 by amita ganguly from marina publications. • WEBSITES- • www.conserve-energy-future.com • education.nationalgeographic.org • www.worldwildlife.org • www.naturetrust.bc.ca • greentumble.com • www.ecowatch.com
  • 14. IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY • All species are interconnected. They depend on one another. Forests provide homes for animals. Animals eat plants. The plants need healthy soil to grow. Fungi help decompose organisms to fertilize the soil. Bees and other insects carry pollen from one plant to another, which enables the plants to reproduce. With less biodiversity, these connections weaken and sometimes break, harming all the species in the ecosystem. • Ecosystems with a lot of biodiversity are generally stronger and more resistant to disaster than those with fewer species. For instance, some diseases kill only one kind of tree. In the early 1900s, American chestnut blight killed most of the chestnut trees in the eastern forests of North America. The forest ecosystem survived because other kinds of trees also grew there. Biodiversity is important to people in many ways. Plants, for instance, help humans by giving off oxygen. They also provide food, shade, construction material, medicines, and fiber for clothing and paper. The root system of plants helps prevent flooding. Plants, fungi, and animals such as worms keep soil fertile and water clean. As biodiversity decreases, these systems break down. • One example of this is Kenya’s Lake Turkana — the world’s largest desert lake, a habitat for a variety of wildlife including birds, Nile crocodiles and hippos and a source of food and income for about 300,000 people. The lake is under heavy pressure because of overfishing, cyclical drought, changing rainfall patterns and the diversion of water by upstream developments, and these changes are leading to a loss of biodiversity, declines in fisheries’ yields and a reduced ability to support humans. Without conservation methods in place, this could be the fate of many more ecosystems. Hundreds of industries rely on plant biodiversity. Agriculture, construction, medical and pharmaceutical, fashion, tourism, and hospitality all depend on plants for their success. When the biodiversity of an ecosystem is interrupted or destroyed, the economic impact on the local community could be enormous. • The destruction of forest ecosystems is responsible for 11 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans, so conserving forests would stop the release of these gases into the atmosphere. Trees and plants also store carbon in their tissue, making it even more necessary to protect them. Biodiversity is especially important to the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Scientists have discovered many chemicals in rain forest plants that are now used in helpful drugs. One of the most popular and safe pain relievers, aspirin, was originally made from the bark of willow trees. Medicines that treat some forms of cancer have been made from the rosy periwinkle, a flower that grows on the African island of Madagascar. Scientists have studied only a small percentage of rain forest species in their search for cures. But every year, thousands of species go extinct, or die out entirely, before scientists can determine whether they might be useful in medicines. • Agriculture industry is also benefitted by the plant diversity as they can grow multiple crops and if any crop species suffers , they still have other crop species to continue their livelihood , and food crisis can be averted.

Editor's Notes

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