ENV 107

Lecture 7-8:
Fundamental Concept of Biodiversity
Lecture: Biodiversity

Page: 143
Which do you like better?

A B
What is Biodiversity?
Bio = Life
Diversity=Variety
Biodiversity means-
❑ The diversity, or variety of plants and animals and other living things in a
particular area or region.
❑ Also means the number, or abundance of different species living within a
particular region.

Biological diversity refers to the variety of life-forms,

commonly expressed as the number of species or the
number of genetic types in an area. (page 145).
Types of ‘Biodiversity’
Major types of biodiversity-
❑ Species diversity- the variety and abundance of species in a given area;
❑ Genetic diversity- variation of all living forms at the genetic level e.g.
genes, alleles (i.e. alternative form of gene), or nucleic acid;
❑ Ecosystem diversity- the variety of ecosystem in the biosphere or
landscape;
❑ Functional diversity-the variety of processes that occur within an
ecosystem; (Functional diversity is a component of biodiversity that generally concerns the range of things
that organisms do in communities and ecosystems. Here, we review how functional diversity can explain and
predict the impact of organisms on ecosystems and thereby provide a mechanistic link between the two.)

The word “diversity” is used in many contexts.

– What is “genetic diversity” within a species?
– What is meant by “species diversity” within an ecosystem?
– Can there be genetic diversity within an ecosystem?
– Can there be functional diversity within an ecosystem?
– …………………………………
**Genetic diversity is the differences of DNA among individuals of a particular species whereas
species diversity is the variety of species in a particular region.
Ecological diversity is the variety of ecosystems in a particular area.
 Functional Diversity The biological and chemical Ecological Diversity The
processes such as energy flow and matter recycling variety of terrestrial and
needed for the survival of species, communities, and aquatic ecosystems found
ecosystems. in an area or on the earth.

Solar
Chemical
nutrients
energy
Heat (carbon dioxide,
oxygen,
nitrogen,
minerals)

Heat Heat

Decomposers Producers
(bacteria, fungi) (plants)

Consumers
(plant eaters,
Heat meat eaters) Heat

Genetic Diversity The variety of genetic Species Diversity :The number and
material within a species or a abundance of species present in different
population. communities.
 Species Diversity

Species diversity-
❑ Number or variety of species in a given area
❑ number of different species that are represented in a given community
❑ incorporates both species richness (i.e. Number of species per unit area) and species
evenness (i.e. number of individuals of different species).

https://www.google.com/search?q=species+richness+and+species+evenness&sca_esv=e72e56e851032d2d&sca_upv=1&ei=Far8ZuicI-eC4-
EPssiImA8&oq=Species+richness+and+species&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiHFNwZWNpZXMgcmljaG5lc3MgYW5kIHNwZWNpZXMqAggAMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAE
MgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABEiNvgFQAFiKc3ABeAGQAQCYAdgBoAG_KKoBBjAuMjQuNbgBAcgBAPgBAZgCHqACgCnCAgsQABiABBiRAhiKBcICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAggQLhiAB
BixA8ICDhAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGMcBwgIOEAAYgAQYsQMYgwEYigXCAgoQABiABBhDGIoFwgIQEAAYgAQYsQMYQxiDARiKBcICDRAuGIAEGEMY1AIYigXCAg0QABiABBixAxhDGIoFwgITEC4YgAQYsQMYQxiDARjUAhiKBcICE
Species Diversity
❑ Types of Species
Endemic species: (The Galápagos mockingbird )
-is one whose habitat is restricted to a particular area; often endangered (ex:
Giant panda; Siberian tiger ); Endemic species, however, are native species that are found only
in a specific habitat within a given area.
-differs from “indigenous,” (exam:Beaver) or “native,” (although it occurs
naturally in an area, is also found in other areas.
Paleoendemic:
-confined to just one area. Ex. Kiwi’s are confined to New Zealand. Exist for
long time; or Redwood trees in California (previously all in U.S)
Exotic Species:
- is any species intentionally or accidentally transported and released by man
into an environment outside its present range.
- most severe agents of habitat alteration and degradation, and major
cause of the continuing loss of biological diversity throughout the world.
For Ex. Acacia (native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world,
particularly Australia), Eucalyptus (native to Australia,& nearby islands) are
exotic in Bangladesh
Biodiversity Hotspot

❑ A biodiversity hot spot - Is a relatively small area with an exceptional

concentration of species. (A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic
region with significant levels of biodiversity that is threatened by human
habitation.)

❑ A biodiversity hotspot is a region with a high level of endemic species.

Most hotspots are located in the tropics and most of them are forests.

❑ Biodiversity hotspots are home to unique flora and fauna and these
regions have been identified as some of the world’s most important
ecosystems

❑ To be considered as biodiversity hotspot, it must fulfill two criteria:

✓ Habitat should contain at least 1500 species of plants that are
specific to that area.(endemic)
✓ More than 70% of the original habitat has been lost.
Biodiversity Hotspot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaQBaVeEbW8
 Biodiversity Hot Spots

17. Wallacea
18. The Philippines
1. The Tropical Andes (world's most diverse hotspot)
19. Indo-Burma (south asia)
2. Mesoamerica
20. The Mountains of Southwest China
3. The Caribbean Islands
21. Western Ghats and Sri Lanka (south asia)
4. The Atlantic Forest
22. Southwest Australia
5. Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena
23. New Caledonia
6. The Cerrado
24. New Zealand
7. Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian Forests
25. Polynesia and Micronesia
8. The California Floristic Province
26. The Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands
9. Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands
27. Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany
10. The Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa
28. The Eastern Afromontane
11. The Guinean Forests of West Africa
29. The Horn of Africa
12. The Cape Floristic Region
30. The Irano-Anatolian
13. The Succulent Karoo
31. The Mountains of Central Asia
14. The Mediterranean Basin
32. Eastern Himalaya
15. The Caucasus
33. Japan
16. Sundaland
34. East Melanesian Islands
35. The Forests of East Australia
 How many species are there on earth?
There is NO simple answer

Source: Mora C, Tittensor DP, Adl S, Simpson AGB, Worm B (2011) How Many Species Are There on Earth and in the Ocean? PLoS Biol 9(8): e1001127. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001127

Read: http://theconversation.com/how-many-species-on-earth-why-thats-a-simple-question-but-hard-to-answer-
114909
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=130&v=_lOwi6upg4I&feature=emb_logo
Is it good to have more species diversity in a
landscape? If YES, Why?

Do single species have any importance?

Why is Biodiversity Important?

-Values are Subjective: Perspectives

-Values can vary at different scale such as global, regional and local scale

Local communities Land developer

Government and
Industry
non-government
agency

Source: Sterling/Frey © AMNH-CBC

Fisheries Environmental
group
 Values of Biodiversity
• Biodiversity provides excellent conditions for and
drives the processes that sustain species survival.

• Biodiversity provides for ecological, economic and

cultural values to the world’s community.

• Climate change is changing species distribution

through shifting habitat, changing life cycles, and
development of new physical traits,

15
 Values of Biodiversity (cont)

• People need ecosystems for adaptation and

ecosystems need people.

• Biodiversity plays a major role in meeting human needs

directly while maintaining the ecological processes
upon which our survival depends.

• Biodiversity is a national asset and a powerful

contributor to economic development, provision of
natural resource, ecological processes, and improving
human wellbeing.

16
Categorizing Biodiversity Values

Direct Use Value: product that can be used directly. In other words, tangible
benefit that we get from biodiversity. For example. Wood, fodder, fuel etc..

Indirect Use Value: Intangible benefit or service that we get from biodiversity. For
example. flood control.

Services from
Biodiversity
 Direct Use

• Food
– Crops
– Livestock
– Capture Fisheries
– Aquaculture
– Wild Foods
• Fiber
– Timber
– Cotton, Hemp, Silk
– Wood Fuel
• Genetic Resources
• Biochemicals
 Indirect Use

• Air Quality Regulation

• Climate Regulation • Spiritual and Religious Values
– Global (CO2 sequestration) • Knowledge Systems
– Regional and local • Educational values
• Erosion Regulation
• Inspiration
• Nutrient Regulation
• Aesthetic Values
• Water Purification
• Sense of Place
• Pollination
• Natural Hazard Regulation • Recreation and Ecotourism
Ecosystem Diversity-Biosphere

http://w3.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/biome_main.htm
Factor Influencing Ecosystem Diversity
 Tolerance ranges of species

• Different species has different tolerance range

for various environmental parameter
 Factor influence Biodiversity
• Each species has a unique range, the set of locations where
members of that species are found on Earth.
• A species' range depends on the biotic (living)
and abiotic (non-living) conditions it needs for survival and on
geography.
• The ranges of species and the distribution of biomes (types of
ecosystems) are shaped by climate.
– A biome is a distinct biogeographical unit consisting of a biological
community that has formed in response to a shared regional climate.
Biomes may span more than one continent. Biome is a broader term
than habitat and can comprise a variety of habitats. example of a
biome is the Amazon rainforest of South America, which is the largest
rainforest biome in the world.
• A place's climate depends on global patterns of solar energy
input and air flow, as well as features like mountains and
bodies of water.
Historical Unsustainable Land use Practices

graphical depiction of our ecological footprint, i.e. human population density and degree of
transformation of natural habitats…
 Threats to Biodiversity
❑ Natural Originated –e.g. Natural disaster
❑ Man made Threats:
▪ Overexploitation
▪ Habitat Loss
▪ Habitat Fragmentation ---------------=>
▪ exotic/invasive species
▪ Pollution
▪ Climate change
Threats to Biodiversity-IUCN Classification
 Few explanation
• Extinct (EX): when there is no reasonable doubt that the
last individual has died.
• Extinct In The Wild (EW): known only to survive in
cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population (or
populations) well outside the past range.
• The occurrence of species extinctions in a region is called
'regional extinction' while 'local extinction‘ refers to the
extinctions that have occurred in a subarea nested within a
region.

• Threatened categories (TC): Critically endangered (Cr),

Endangered (EN) and Vulnerable.
 Few explanation
• Critically endangered (Cr) is the highest risk category
assigned by the IUCN for wild species. Critically endangered
species means a species numbers have decreased, or will
decrease by 80% within three generations. It is therefore
considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in
the wild.
• Endangered species are species which have been
categorized as very likely to become extinct in their known
native ranges in the near future. Endangered species that
possess a very high risk of extinction as a result of rapid
population declines of 50 to more than 70 percent over the
previous 10 years (or three generations), a current population
size of fewer than 250 individuals, or other factors.
• Vulnerable (VU): A species considered to be facing a high risk
of extinction in the wild.
Biodiversity Conservation Approach
 Few explanation
• What defines a biodiversity hotspot?
– Biodiversity hotspots are, by definition, in a conservation crisis. To be
classified as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must have lost at least 70
percent of its original natural vegetation, usually due to human
activity. There are over 30 recognized biodiversity hotspots in the
world.
• A protected area is a clearly defined geographical space,
recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other
effective means, to achieve the long term conservation of
nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural
values. Ex: national parks, nature reserves, community
conserved areas, etc..
• Mt Kailash, Sagarmatha/ Chomolongma (Mt Everest), the
Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers are few of the sacred natural
sites that include some of the most iconic places on the
planet.
Biodiversity of Bangladesh
 Due to its’ unique geo-physical location Bangladesh is
exceptionally endowed with a diverse variety of flora and fauna

A hollock gibbon in the evergreen forests An evergreen forest landscape of Sylhet

of Sylhet region
 Floral species of Bangladesh

N.B. Angiosperm-Flowering plants; Gymnosperms-non-flowering plants

Source: IUCN
Faunal species of Bangladesh

Source: IUCN
Biodiversity loss in Bangladesh

Sloth Beer

Nilgai Swamp Deer

Biodiversity loss in Bangladesh…continue
Forest areas of
Bangladesh
 Protected Areas of Bangladesh for Conservation

❑ In Bangladesh, the concept of protect area is quite new.

Until today, there are 50 PAs in Bangladesh that includes
Marine reserve, Marine Park, National Park, wildlife
sanctuary, Dolphin Sanctuary, Safari Park, Eco-Park and
National Botanic Garden.

❑ At present, there are 37 forest protected areas out of

50 PA’s in Bangladesh covering nearly 0.27 million
hectares of forests land managed.

❑ These forest PAs represents 1.8% of total land masses

of the country, 10% of total forest land and 17% of forest
land managed by Forest Department (Ahsan et al. 2016).
 Protected Areas of BD
✓Bhawal National Park
✓Madhupur National Park
❑ National Park ✓Ramsagar National Park
✓Himchari National Park
“National Park means ✓Lawachara National Park
comparatively large areas of ✓Kaptai National Park
✓Nijhum Dweep National Park
outstanding scenic and
✓Medhakachhapia National Park
natural beauty with the ✓Satchari National Park
primary object of protection ✓Khadimnagar National Park
and preservation of scenery, ✓Baroiyadhala National Park
flora, fauna in natural state ✓Kuakata National Park
✓Nababgonj National Park
to which access for public
✓Singra National Park
recreation, education and ✓Kadigarh National Park
research may be allowed”. ✓Altadighi National Park
✓Birgonj National Park
❑ Wildlife Sanctuary

“Wildlife Sanctuary means an area closed to

hunting, shooting or trapping of wild animals
and declared as undisturbed breeding ground
primarily for the protection of wildlife inclusive
of all natural resources, such as vegetation,
soil and water”.
✓Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Char Kukri-Mukri Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Sundarban (East) Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Sundarban (West) Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Sundarban (South) Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Pablakhali Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Fashiakhali Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Hajarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Dudpukuria-Dhopachari Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Sangu Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Tengragiri Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Dudhmukhi Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Chadpai Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Dhangmari Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Sonarchar Wildlife Sanctuary
✓Nazirganj Wildlife (Dolphin) Sanctuary
✓Nagarbari-Mohanganj Dolphine Sanctuary
✓Shilanda-Nagdemra Wildlife (Dolphin) Sanctuary
 Ecologically Critical Areas

An Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) is an environmental

protection zone in Bangladesh. In 1995, specific areas in
Bangladesh could be deemed Ecologically Critical Areas as a
result of the Environmental Conservation Act.

In 1995 after the enactment of the Bangladesh Environment

Conservation Act, 1995 the Government is empowered to
declare an area which is enriched with unique biodiversity
and environmentally significant and shall need protection
or conservation from destructive activities as ecologically
critical area (ECA).
Ecologically critical areas of Bangladesh

It is worth mentioning that most of the ECA are wetlands.

 Discussion
What would be the most effective way for humans to reduce the loss of
biodiversity?
A Supporting the deforestation of the rainforest
B Creating more shelter for human near forest areas
C Creating large preserves in biodiversity hotspots
D Introducing non-native species into new areas
Which of the following is true regarding the value of
biodiversity?
A Biodiversity has ecological value, but not economic
value.
B Biodiversity has economic value, but not ecological
value.
C Biodiversity has neither economic nor ecological value.
D Biodiversity has both economic and ecological value.
Thanks for your attention
 Reading materials
1. Book: Daniel B. Botkin and Edward A. Keller. 2000. Environmental Science: Earth as a living
planet. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [Book Chapter-5 and 8]

2. Protected Areas of Bangladesh http://www.bforest.gov.bd/

Biodiversity (current status): http://www.bforest.gov.bd/
Ecologically Critical Area: http://doe.portal.gov.bd/sites

3. Book: NRC 1999. Perspectives on biodiversity: valuing its role in an everchanging world.
Washington, DC: National Academy Press. 129 p. [Chapter 2 and Chapter 3]
 What you need to know about
the nature crisis
ths to maintain our current way of life and ecosystems cannot keep up with our demands. (Becoming Generation Restoration, UNEP)

• One million of the world’s estimated 8 million species of plants and

animals are threatened with extinction. (IPBES)
• 75 percent of the Earth’s land surface has been significantly altered by
human actions, including 85 percent of wetland areas. (IPBES)
• 66 percent of ocean area is impacted by human activities, including from
fisheries and pollution. (IPBES)
• Close to 90% of the world’s marine fish stocks are fully exploited,
overexploited or depleted. (UNCTAD)
• Our global food system is the primary driver of biodiversity loss with
agriculture alone being the identified threat 24,000 of the 28,000 species
at risk of extinction. (Chatham House and UNEP)
• Agricultural expansion is said to account for 70% of the projected loss of
terrestrial biodiversity. (CBD)
Source: UNEP