Values and Hot-spots of Biodiversity

Values of Biodiversity

• A rich biodiversity is the wealth of any nation. Biodiversity provides variety of environmental survives and ecosystem essential for human life. Each organism has its own significance in the biosphere.

• The value of biodiversity is classified into various categories depending on its use, such as

i) Consumptive use

iii) Social use

ii) Productive use

iv) Ethical use

v) Aesthetic

vi) Option value.

1. Consumptive Use

• Consumptive use is direct utilization of various species by the modem society. The major sources are - Food, medicinal plants, fuel etc. These products are directly supplied by biodiversity.

Examples

a) Food - Seasonal fruits, vegetable, food grains, sea food, chicken, duck.

b) Medicinal plants - Bamboo, eucaliptas, neep, honey comb, herbs.

c) Fuel - Fuel wood, timber, fodder, coal, petroleum, natural gas, biomass.

2. Productive Use

• Most commercial products are synthesized from natural products of biodiversity. The product may be derived from plants, animals and by products.

Examples : Silk, wool, leather, tusk - from animals and wood, cotton, oil seed, crop - from plants.

3. Social Values

• Social values of biodiversity counts for use of biodiversity for social aspect. The consumptive and productive values of biodiversity is closely related to the social concern.

• Many communities are finding that local bioversity can bring cash through ecotourism. Many people value biodiversity as a part of livelihood through cultural and religious sentiments.

Examples

Holy plants - Banyan, peepal, lotus etc.

Holy animals - Cow, peacock, snake etc.

4. Ethical Values

• Ethical value of biodiversity is related to conservation of life. Plants and animals have equal right to live and exist on our planet. No one has right to destroy other's life. The ethical value tells that any species may or may not be used but its presence is must in ecology.

• India's rich heritage and culture tells us to worship animals. Plants, rivers and mountains. Some communities have mission of preserving animals life.

5. Aesthetic Values

• Biodiversity is a beautiful and wonderful aspect of nature. Wild plants and animals are source of beauty wonder, joy and recreational pleasure for many people. Wild life tourism (ecotourism) is a good source of earning currency.

Examples

i) Neem and mango leaves are used during festivals and fair aesthetics.

ii) Ornamental plants, flowers are used for decoration.

iii) Elephants, horses and camels are used for ceremonial purposes.

6. Option Values

• The potential use of biodiversity is proseutly not known to us, this future possible use is termed as option value. Any specific species of biodiversity may be found very useful for any particular purpose ; if it is preserved and exists.

Example : Rarely found medicinal plant may be used for medicinal purpose for any chronic disease.

Review Questions

1. Define the term biodiversity. What are its values ?

2. What are the values of biodiversity ?

3. What are the values of biodiversity ? Describe.

Hot-spots of Biodiversity

• There is no uniform distribution of bio-diversity along the geographical regions of the world. Some habitats are found to be highly rich in abundant number in some specific regions.

• Hot-spots are the specific areas which contain the richest and the most threatened reservoirs of plant and animal species.

• The number of endemic species and degree of threats which are measured in terms of habitat loss, are certain criteria to determine a hot-spot. If these species lost, they can never be replaced.

1. Criteria to Qualify as Hot-spots

• To qualify as a hot-spot a region must satisfy following criteria.

1. The richness of endemic species.

2. Significant percentage of specified species should be present.

3. The site must have lost more than 70 % of its original habitat.

4. The site must be under threat.

2. Reason for Rich Biodiversity in Tropics

• The reasons for rich biodiversity in tropics are as following :

1. The tropics have more stable climate.

2. Tropical areas have warm temperature and high humidity, which provide favourable condition. 

3. No single species can dominate hence there is an opportunity for many species to coexist.

4. The rate of outcrossing among plants is higher in tropics.

3. Area of Hot-spot

• Twenty five numbers of hot-spots are identified and selected for the conservation of biodiversity.

• The total area of the hot spots cover about 1.4 % of the total land surface on the earth.

4. Hot-spots of Biodiversity in India

• Out of 25 hot-spots in the world, two hot-spots are found in India.

1. Eastern Himalayas 2. Western Ghats.

• These areas are rich in floral wealth and also in reptiles, amphibians butterflies and some mammals.

a.  Eastern Himalayas

• These area comprises Nepal, Bhutan and neighbouring states of northern India along with Yunnan province in southwest China.

• The eastern Himalayas form a distinct floral region. There are around 35000 plant species in Himalayas of which 30 % are endemic.

Features of Himalayan Regions

1. Eastern Himalayas shows an ultra varied topography, which has species diversity and endemism.

2. In Sikkim, in semi-isolated area of 7298 km of 4250 plant species, 2550 (60 %) are endemic.

3. In India's sector, there are 5800 plant species of which 2000 (36 %) are endemic.

4. In Nepal, there are 7000 plant species of which 500 (8 %) are endemic.

5. In Bhutan, there are 5000 plant species of which 750 (15 %) are endemic.

b. Western Ghats

• Western ghats extend along the western coastal region for about 1600 km in Tamilnadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala.

• The Agasthimalai Hills and silent valley / New Amambalam Reserve basin are the two important places of biodiversity in western ghat region.

• Out of India's 49219 plant species, 1600 endemics (40 %) are found in this region. Only 6.8 % of the originial extent of vegetation existing today while the rest has been deforested or degraded.

Common plants : Temstroemia Japonica, Rhododendron and Hypericum.

Common animals : Blue bird, Lizard hawk.