Chapter 4.
Biodiversity
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.
Biodiversity
• Combination of two words 'biological' and 'diversity‘
• Refers to the number, variety and variability of all life forms on earth
• These include millions of plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes
they contain and the intricate ecosystems of which they are a part
• The earth has an enormous variety of plants and animals, both
domesticated and wild, also a wide array of habitats and ecosystems
• Biodiversity loss would mean a threat to the survival of the human race
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;
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?
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 abundance
material within a species or a of species present in different communities.
population.
Species Diversity
Species diversity-
❑ Number or variety of species in a given area
❑ Species richness is a measure of the number of different types of species in an
ecosystem. A large number of different species in a habitat represents a higher species
richness, and an overall more diverse ecosystem.
❑ Species Evenness measures how evenly distributed the individuals of those species are
within that ecosystem, essentially looking at the relative abundance of each
species; meaning, how many individuals belong to each species present.
Species Diversity
Types of Species
Native Species: Species that normally live and thrive in a particular ecosystem e.g. camel in
deserts
Endemic species:
- is one whose habitat is restricted to a particular area such as a country, island, or state;
often endangered but important for health of the planet e.g. Asiatic Lion in Gir Forest,
India
- differs from “indigenous,” or “native,” (although it occurs naturally in an area, is also
found in other areas
Paleoendemic species: ancient species that were once widespread but are now found only
in a much smaller area e.g. Kiwi in New Zealand
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, Eucalyptus are exotic in Bangladesh
Ubiquitous species : Species that are found almost everywhere; can survive in variety of
environment e.g. cockroaches
Cosmoplitan species very wide geographic distribution. Ex: Blue whale
Biodiversity Hotspot
❑ A biodiversity hot spot - Is a relatively small area with an exceptional
concentration of species.
❑ 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.
✔ More than 70% of the original habitat has been lost.
Biodiversity Hotspot
[Link]
Biodiversity Hot Spots
17. Wallacea
18. The Philippines
1. The Tropical Andes
19. Indo-Burma
2. Mesoamerica
20. The Mountains of Southwest China
3. The Caribbean Islands
21. Western Ghats and Sri Lanka
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/[Link].1001127
Read: [Link]
114909
Video: [Link]
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 enhancing the
importance of biodiversity conservation.
13
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.
14
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
Ecological importance of biodiversity:
1. Trees provide habitat and food for birds, insects, other plants and animals,
fungi and microorganisms
2. Insects, bats, birds and other animals serve as pollinators
3. Parasites and predators act as natural population controls
4. Various organisms, such as earthworms and bacteria, are responsible for
recycling organic materials and maintaining the productivity of soils
5. Green plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and replenish it
with oxygen
6. Forests, for example, are particularly important "sinks" for the absorption
of carbon dioxide and thus are key factors in reducing global climate
change
7. Wetlands serve as sponges to reduce the impacts of floods and to cleanse
streams by filtering sediments, nutrients, and contaminants from
inflowing waters
8. The interaction of all these natural processes forms a complex web of life.
If any part of this web suffers or breaks downs, the future of the other
parts is threatened
Economic importance of biodiversity:
1. Food: species are hunted, fished, and gathered, as well as
cultivated for agriculture and aquaculture. From about 80,000
available comestible plants, humans use less than 30 to satisfy
90% of our planet's alimentary needs
2. Fuel: timber and coal are only two examples of natural
resources used to produce energy
3. Shelter and warmth: timber and other forest products (e.g. oak,
beech, pine) are used as building materials and for shelter.
Fibers such as wool and cotton are used to make clothes
4. Medicines: both traditional medicines and processed drugs are
obtained from biodiversity: penicillin is produced by a fungus
and quinine from the bark of cinchona trees
5. Other goods such as paper and pencils come from raw
materials provided by the biodiversity
Ecosystem Diversity-Biosphere
[Link]
Biological Evolution
• Evolution (or more specifically biological or organic evolution) is the change
over time in one or more inherited traits found in populations of individuals.
Biological evolution refers to the change in inherited characteristics of a
population from generation to generation.
• It can result in new species.
• Species have evolved in response to changing environmental conditions
• Each species here today represents a long chain of evolution.
• Thousands of years of selective pressures have determined the shapes, colors,
sizes, and behaviors that optimize the survival and reproductive success of
organisms in the environment in which they evolved. In fact, it is often possible to
tell a lot about where something lives by how it looks and behaves.
4 key process of biological evolution
– Genetic Mutation
– Natural Selection
– Geographic Isolation and Migration
– Genetic Drift
Genetic Mutation
• Process that causes changes in the DNA structure of genes
• Genetic variability in a population originates through Genetic Mutation: random
changes in the structure/number of DNA molecules in a cell
• Mutation might cause death/extinction in one hand or contribute to develop new
characteristics on the other.
• Mutation may occur due to random DNA replicaitons, radiation or exposure to
chemicals causing changes in appearance, behavior or physiology of a species.
• Every genetic feature in every organism was, initially, the result of a mutation.
• Examples of mutations in animals are those born with extra body parts, e.g. two-
headed snakes, four-legged ducks, and a cyclops kitten.
Natural Selection
• Occurs when some individuals of a population have genetically based traits that
increase their chances of survival and their ability to produce offspring.
• Natural selection is the process through which populations of living
organisms adapt and change. Individuals in a population are naturally variable,
meaning that they are all different in some ways
• This variation means that some individuals have traits better suited to the
environment than others.
• These better suited individuals will survive and reproduce offspring leading to a
large population in a few generations
• For example, evolving long necks has enabled giraffes to feed on leaves that others
can't reach, giving them a competitive advantage.
• Which characteristics will lead to more offspring will depend on environment. If the
environment changes over time, the desirable characteristics will also change
Geographic Isolation and Migration
• Sometimes populations of the same species become geographically
isolated from each other for a long time
• During that time they may change so much that they can no longer
reproduce together even when they are brought back together, thus, two
new species occur
• Migration has been an important evolutionary process over geologic time.
• A pretty common example of geographic isolation is a population
migrating to an island and becoming separated from the mainland
population. This stops the gene flow between the groups of organisms.
Over time, the two populations become reproductively isolated and they
evolve separately.
Genetic Drift
• Diversity due to random changes in the frequency of gene variants in a
population
• Frequency of genes in a population changes because of the possibility of
non-proportional inheritance
• It's a random shift in the occurrence of this specific gene variation that
isn’t caused by environmental factors.
Brown-Eyed Children Example
• The father of a family has brown eyes, which is a dominant allele. The
mother of the family has blue eyes, which is a recessive allele. The four
children all have brown eyes by chance.
Common Misconceptions About Evolution
• "Survival of the fittest" means "survival of the strongest." To
biologists, fitness is a measure of reproductive success not
strength. Thus the fittest individuals are those that leave the most
descendants
• Evolution involves some grand plan of nature in which species
become progressively more perfect. From a scientific standpoint,
no plan or goal of perfection exists in the evolutionary process
Speciation & Extinction
Speciation:
• Process of generating a new species
• Speciation is the evolutionary process by which new
biological species arise
• Under certain circumstances, can lead to an entirely new
species. In this process, two species arise from one
Extinction:
• End of an organism or of a group of organisms, normally a species
• Biologists estimate that 99.9% of all the species that have ever existed are
now extinct
• When environmental conditions change, a species must:
– evolve (become better adapted)
– move to a more favorable area (if possible)
• Causes of Extinction:
– population risk
– environmental risk
– natural catastrophe
– genetic risk
– human actions
Interaction between species
There are four basic categories of interaction among species:
- Competition: A relationship between organisms that has a negative effect on both of them.
This can happen when two organisms are trying to get the same environmental resource like
food or land. Two species are competing in the same habitat and have the same
requirements. One will win out. For example, two male birds of the same species might
compete for mates in the same area. Or cheetahs and lions; since both species feed on similar
prey, they are negatively impacted by the presence of the other because they will have less
food. This type of competition is a basic factor in natural selection. It leads to the evolution
of better adaptations within a species.
- Symbiosis: In ecology, symbiosis describes a relationship between two organisms that is
beneficial to both and enhances each organism’s chances of persisting. Each partner in
symbiosis is called a symbiont. Symbiosis is widespread and common; most animals and
plants have symbiotic relationships with other species.
- One of the most obvious symbiotic relationships that can be seen by almost anyone
anywhere is the relationship of a honey bee and a flower. The bees must be able to obtain
their food and other resources from flowers, or they will die. It’s the same for the plant.
Flowers must be pollinated, and if they aren’t, the plant will die. Furthermore, both the
flowers and the bees have “body parts” specifically designed for interaction with each other.
- Predation- Predation is when an organism (a predator) feeds
on other live organisms (prey), usually of another species.
Some examples of predator and prey are lion and zebra, bear
and fish, and fox and rabbit.
- Parasitism: Parasitism is when one organism (the parasite)
lives on or within another (the host) and depends on it for
existence but makes no useful contribution to it and may in
fact harm it. Examples of parasites are ticks, lice, fleas etc.
Factor Influencing Ecosystem Diversity
Factor influence Biodiversity
• Each species has a unique range,
Factors that tend to increase
the set of locations where members diversity:
of that species are found on Earth. • A physically diverse habitat
• A species' range depends on • Moderate amounts of
the biotic (living) and abiotic (non- disturbance
• A small variation in
living) conditions it needs for environmental conditions
survival and on geography. • High diversity at one trophic
• The ranges of species and the level, increasing the
distribution of biomes (types of diversity at another trophic
level
ecosystems) are shaped by climate. • An environment highly
• A place's climate depends on global modified by life
patterns of solar energy input and • Middle stages of succession
air flow, as well as features like • Evolution
mountains and bodies of water.
Tolerance ranges of species
• Different species has different tolerance range
for various environmental parameter
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
Biodiversity Conservation Approach
• In-Situ Conservation: It is the methods of
conserving all the living species, especially the wild
and endangered species in their natural habitats and
environment.
• Ex-Situ Conservation: Ex situ conservation is the
technique of conservation of all levels of biological
diversity outside their natural habitats through
different techniques e.g. zoo, aquarium, botanical
garden etc.
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 37forest 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).
What are PAs?
• Protected areas or conservation areas are
locations which receive protection because of
their recognized natural, ecological or cultural
values.
• A clearly defined geographical space,
recognized, dedicated and managed, through
legal or other effective means, to achieve the
long term conservation of nature.
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
List of Wildlife Sanctuaries in BD ✔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 where the ecosystem is considered
to be endangered to reach a critical condition by the changes
brought through various human activities. 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 [Link]
Biodiversity (current status): [Link]
Ecologically Critical Area: [Link]
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]
