Biodiversity and Conservation: Key Concepts and Questions
Biodiversity
1. Invasive Weed Species
Question: Give an example of an invasive weed species that threatens our native species?
Answer: Parthenium hysterophorus (Congress grass) or Eichhornia crassipes (Water hyacinth).
2. Species–Area Relationship
Question: Write the equation of the Species–Area relationship in a logarithmic scale?
Answer: log S = log C + Z log A
Where S = number of species, A = area, C and Z = constants.
3. Scientific Name of Water Hyacinth
Question: Write the scientific name of water hyacinth.
Answer: Eichhornia crassipes
4. Ex-situ Conservation
Question: What is ex-situ conservation?
Answer: Conservation of species outside their natural habitat is called ex-situ conservation.
Example: Zoo, botanical garden, seed bank.
5. Environment (Protection) Act
Question: In which year was the Environment (Protection) Act promulgated in India?
Answer: 1986
6. Biosphere Reserves of Assam
Question: Write a note on Biosphere Reserves of Assam.
Answer: Biosphere reserves are large protected areas for the conservation of biodiversity.
Examples in Assam:
- Manas Biosphere Reserve
- Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve
7. Species–Area Relationship (Revisited)
Question: Write the equation of the Species–Area relationship in a logarithmic scale?
Answer: log S = log C + Z log A. It shows that species richness increases with an increase in area.
8. Consequences of Biodiversity Loss
Question: What are the consequences of the loss of biodiversity?
Answer:
- Extinction of species
- Loss of ecosystem stability
- Reduction of natural resources
- Ecological imbalance
- Disruption of food chains
- Loss of ecosystem services like pollination and nutrient cycling
- Economic loss (agriculture, medicine, forestry)
9. Importance of Biodiversity Conservation
Question: Why should we conserve biodiversity?
Answer: Biodiversity conservation is important because:
- Ecological importance: Maintains ecosystem balance and stability.
- Economic importance: Provides food, medicine, timber, and raw materials.
- Aesthetic and cultural value: Nature has spiritual and recreational value.
- Ethical reason: Every species has the right to live.
- Future use: Biodiversity is important for future generations.
10. Biopiracy
Question: What is Biopiracy?
Answer: Biopiracy is the illegal exploitation and patenting of biological resources and traditional knowledge without permission or compensation to the native people.
Example: Patenting of neem and turmeric by foreign companies.
11. Endemism
Question: Define Endemism. Give one example of an endemic animal of Assam.
Answer: Endemism: It is the occurrence of a species only in a particular geographical area and nowhere else in the world.
Example (Assam): Golden Langur, Pygmy Hog.
12. Causes of Biodiversity Loss
Question: Write the various reasons for the loss of biodiversity.
Answer: Major causes are:
- Habitat destruction and fragmentation
- Over-exploitation of natural resources
- Invasive alien species
- Pollution
- Climate change
- Co-extinction
13. World Heritage Sites
Question: What is a World Heritage Site? Mention one world heritage site of Assam.
Answer: A World Heritage Site is a place recognized by UNESCO for its cultural or natural importance.
World Heritage Sites in Assam: Kaziranga National Park, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary.
14. Biodiversity Hotspots
Question: What do you mean by biodiversity hotspot? Write the name of biodiversity hotspots in India.
Answer: A biodiversity hotspot is a region with high species richness and high endemism under threat of extinction.
Biodiversity hotspots in India: Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, Indo-Burma region, Sundaland (Nicobar Islands).
15. In-situ vs Ex-situ Conservation
Question: Write differences between In-situ and Ex-situ conservation.
Answer:
- In-situ conservation: Conservation in natural habitat; protects the whole ecosystem. Eg: National parks, wildlife sanctuaries.
- Ex-situ conservation: Conservation outside natural habitat; protects selected species. Eg: Zoos, botanical gardens, seed banks.
16. Defining Biodiversity
Question: What is biodiversity?
Answer: Biodiversity, or biological diversity, refers to the immense variety of life forms—including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms—at all levels of organization (genetic, species, and ecosystem levels).
17. Genetic Diversity
Question: What is Genetic diversity? Give an example.
Answer: Genetic diversity is the variation in genes within a species. Example: Different varieties of rice, wheat, or mango in India.
18. Stable Community Characteristics
Question: Give characteristics of a stable community.
Answer: A stable community has high species diversity, balanced population of organisms, resistance to environmental changes, self-regulation, resilience, and stable food chains.
19. Frugivorous Organisms
Question: What is ‘Frugivorous’?
Answer: Frugivorous organisms are those that feed mainly on fruits. Example: Bats, birds, monkeys.
20. Gene Pool
Question: Define ‘Gene pool’.
Answer: The gene pool is the total collection of genes and their alleles present in a population.
21. Amphibian Vulnerability
Question: Why are amphibians vulnerable to extinction?
Answer: They have sensitive skin, depend on water, are affected by pollution and climate change, and suffer from habitat destruction.
22. Biosphere Reserves in Northeast India
Question: Name two Biosphere Reserves found in Northeast India.
Answer: Manas Biosphere Reserve (Assam) and Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve (Assam).
23. Species vs Ecological Diversity
Question: What is the difference between species diversity and ecological diversity?
Answer:
- Species Diversity: Variety of different species in a region (e.g., many species of birds in a forest).
- Ecological Diversity: Variety of ecosystems or habitats in a region (e.g., forest, grassland, desert, wetland ecosystems).
24. Endemic vs Exotic Species
Question: Write the difference between endemic and exotic species.
Answer:
- Endemic Species: Found only in a particular region; native to the area (e.g., Nilgiri Tahr).
- Exotic Species: Introduced from outside a region/country; non-native (e.g., Water hyacinth in India).
25. Red Data Book
Question: What is the ‘Red Data Book’? Which species from Assam is currently included in it?
Answer: The Red Data Book is a catalog of species threatened with extinction, maintained by the IUCN. Assam species include the White-winged Wood Duck (endangered).
26. Sacred Groves
Question: What are sacred groves? Do they have a role in biodiversity conservation?
Answer: Sacred groves are forest patches protected by local communities due to religious beliefs. Yes, they preserve native species, act as refugia for endangered flora and fauna, and traditional practices reduce human disturbance.
27. National Parks in Assam
Question: Total number and name of national parks in Assam?
Answer: Assam has 5 national parks: Kaziranga, Manas, Nameri, Dibru-Saikhowa, and Orang National Park.
28. Elephant Reserve
Question: Name an Elephant reserve of Assam.
Answer: One elephant reserve in Assam is the Kaziranga Elephant Reserve.
29. Critically Endangered Species
Question: Name two critically endangered plants and animals of Assam.
Answer:
- Animal: White-winged Wood Duck (Asarcornis scutulata).
- Plant: Aquilaria malaccensis (Agarwood).