CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS

Biodiversity
The variety and variability of plants and animals and microorganisms found on the earth is called
biodiversity.
Biodiversity is not uniformly distributed over the earth. It is greatest near the equator and declines
towards the higher latitudes. Tropical rainforests are especially known for their exceptional diversity.
Some locations known as hot spots harbor an unusually rich biodiversity. There are about 25 hotspots in
the world, out of which 2 are present in India, namely Eastern Himalayas and western ghats.
There are a number of threats to biodiversity that are directly related to human behavior. They include
1. Population growth and consumption of resources.
2. Deforestation
3. Habitat loss
4. Environmental pollution
5. Invasion of non native species
6. Climatic changes
7. Over hunting and commercial exploitation

Deforestation – The loss or continual degradation of forest habitat due to natural or human related causes
is called deforestation.
Causes of deforestation
1. To obtain wood to be used as fuel, to make furniture, paper, boats, artwork, plywood, hardboard etc.
2. Overgrazing by animals.
3. Procuring land for agricultural use.
4. Procuring land for setting up industries and mining.
5. To obtain land for building houses, roads dams etc.
6. Natural phenomenon like forest fires and droughts are also responsible for disappearance of forests.

Consequences of deforestation -It

1. Leads to shortage of wood and other forest products.
2. Leads to increase in temperature of earth’s atmosphere leading to global warming and also causes
imbalance in atmospheric gases.
3. Causes soil erosion, making the soil infertile and leads to desertification.
4. Causes frequent flooding of rivers leading to loss of life and property.
5. Affects the water cycle leading to decrease in rainfall which in turns lowers the ground water level
and could cause droughts.
6. Leads to extinction of many wild plans and animals due to loss of habitat.
7. Increases the chances of natural calamities like landslides, cloudbursts, flooding and droughts.
8. Destroys habitat of large number of organisms which poses a threat to their survival.

Conservation of forests- the maintenance and upkeep of forests is called forest conservation.
Steps for forest conservation
1. Massive afforestation work should be undertaken. to cover large areas of land with appropriate trees.
2. Indiscriminate deforestation should be prohibited.
3. Weeds, damaged trees crowded trees, diseased trees should be removed.
4. Forest fires should be prevented.
5. Forest nurseries should be established.
6. Wastage of timber and fuel wood to be avoided.
7. Alternative sources of energy, such as biogas should be used to supplement fuel wood.
8. Pests and diseases of the forest trees should be controlled chemically and biologically.
9. Grazing of cattle in forests should be discouraged.
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10. Programmes like van mahotsav should be practiced.
11. Make people aware about the importance of forests in our life.

Flora – all the plants found in a particular area are termed as flora.
Fauna – All the animals and microorganisms in a particular area are referred as fauna.
Wildlife – Plants animals and microorganisms which are found in their wild natural habitats are called
wildlife.
Causes of extinction and depletion of wildlife
1. Indiscriminate hunting
2. Destruction of natural habitat.
3. Introduction of exotic species.
4. Forest fires.
5. Overexploitation of natural resources.
6. International trade of animal products.
7. Failure of enforcement of existing laws of wildlife management.
8. Human ignorance regarding the importance of wildlife and probable consequences of the
disappearance of wildlife to man himself.

Endemic species – Plants and animals species confined to specific geographical areas are called endemic
species.
Species endemic to India are
1. Lion tailed macaque ( western ghats)
2. Malabar parakeet ( Malabar region)
3. Nilgiri langur ( Niligiri Hills )
4. Nilgiri That ( Nilgiri Hills )
5. Great Indian bustard.

The IUCN International Union for The Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources maintains an
international list published as Red Data Book. Red Data Book is the state document established for
documenting rare and endangered species of plants and animals that exist within the territory of the state
or country. According to IUCN species can be classified into 9 categories.
1. Extinct species
2. Extinct in the wild
3. Critically endangered
4. Endangered
5. Vulnerable
6. Near threatened
7. Least concern
8. Data insufficient
9. Not evaluated
The main aim of IUCN is to focus attention of conservationist towards species that are under threat of
becoming extinct.
Extinct species – Species of plants and animals do not exist anymore on the earth are known as extinct
species. E.g. Dodo, Dina sour
Endangered species – These are the species that face immediate threat of extinction. Their number has
reduced drastically to critical levels either due to indiscriminate hunting or due to habitat destruction. If
the same factor continue to operate, these species would soon become extinct. E.g. Asiatic Lion, Indian
Rhino, Great Indian bustard.

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Vulnerable species – these are the species that are declining but still have sufficient number of
individuals in their natural habitat. In case the causal factors for their decline are not removed, they might
represent the category of endangered species. E.g. Musk deer, Sambhar, Spotted deer, Black buck.
Rare species – these are localized in certain geographical areas and exhibit scattered population
considering the global environment. Their overall population in the would is small. In future the species
may enter into the category of vulnerable or endangered species. E.g. Indian elephant, wild buffalo,
Asiatic wild ass.
Threatened species – endangered species and vulnerable species together are called vulnerable species.
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Methods of Conservation:
1. Insitu conservation it involves conservation of plants and animals in their natural habitat. It
includes a system of protected areas of different categories e.g.

 National park
 Biosphere reserves
 Wildlife sanctuaries
 Sacred forests, sacred lakes

2. Exsitu conservation -

 Zoological parks
 Botanical gardens
 Arboreta
 Seed banks
 Cryogenic conservation
 Field bank
 Tissue culture