Biodiversity and Conservation: India’s Panoramic View
01 Jan 2020-pp 313-332
TL;DR: In this article, the authors have discussed several success stories which highlight the initiatives taken up towards safeguarding and enriching India's rich biodiversity of which two case studies have been discussed in this chapter.
Abstract: India is a mega diverse country and is known for its prodigious biodiversity encompassing varied floral and faunal species, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and rich agricultural and genetic diversity. However, factors like hotspots, extinction of species, changes in the climatic conditions, adverse effects of pollution, decline of traditional knowledge and alien invasive species are a threat to India’s Biodiversity. Effective measures have been taken by formulation of legislative and national policies in line with NBSAP (National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan) stated under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The implementation of these measures is supervised from grass root level to national level to combat the biodiversity loss. There are several success stories which highlight the initiatives taken up towards safeguarding and enriching India’s rich biodiversity of which two case studies have been discussed in this chapter.
Citations
More filters
TL;DR: Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) are considered to be an important driver of global change in biodiversity, community structure, and ecosystem processes of the invaded ecosystem, fundamental to human well-being.
Abstract: Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) are considered to be an important driver of global change in biodiversity, community structure, and ecosystem processes of the invaded ecosystem, fundamental to human well-being (access to secure livelihoods, health, good social relations, security and freedom). There isa lack of studies on IAPS, concerning its economic quantification, livelihood considerations and human health risk assessments. In this article, we review the role of invasive alien plant species in modulating native plant species diversity, environment, ecosystem, climate change, land-use change, socio-economic security and also tried to discuss the role of IAPS on the health of humans and human well-being. We suggest some management practices and use of advance tools such as remote sensing and GIS to assess, map and monitor the vulnerability of IAPS. These advance technologies may also help in the detection of impact of IAPS on ecosystems, and its conservation and restoration.
1 citations
Cites background from "Biodiversity and Conservation: Indi..."
...The number of invasive species in varied ecosystems such as in terrestrial ecosystem is 53, aquatic ecosystem (55), agricultural ecosystem (47) and island ecosystem (14) (Kapoor and Usha, 2020)....
[...]
...Allelopathic invasion of alien plant species in India and their management strategies: a review....
[...]
...United States and the Maritime provinces of Canada Colorado Plateau (USA) arid grassland Rhamnus cathartica Bromus tectorum Carbon content Nitrogen mineralization + _ Woodlands (Quercus alba L., Quercus rubra L. and Tilia Americana L.) Hilaria jamessi Stipa spp. Raizada et al., 2008 Varanasi, India Hyptis suaveolens Soil pH Total inorganic N and N- mineralisation Soil moisture Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) Microbial Biomass Nitrogen (MBN) + + _ _ _ - Afreen et al., 2020 Basel, Switzerland Prunuslauocerasus Soil moisture Metabolic activity of soil microbial community _ + - Rusterholz et al.,2018 Fujairah Emirate, UAE Prosopis juliflora Values of K, N, organic C% and P beneath the canopy EC, Na, HCO3 beneath the canopy + + Arnebia hispidissima Keblawy and Abdelfatah., 2014 Zurich, Switzerland Solidago gigantea Bacterial biomass Fungal biomass Fungal to bacterial ratio _ + + Molinia caerulea , Moench carexpanacea Anthoxanthium oradatum Scharfy et al., 2010 North-east Scotland Mimulus guttatus Total C Total N Soil moisture + + + Riparian plant communities Truscott et al., 2008 Southwest Yunnan Province, China Ageratinaadenophora Soil pH C content N content K content NO3-N,NH4 +-...
[...]
...A total of 169 alien species have been reported in varied ecosystems of India (Kapoor and Usha, 2020)....
[...]
...Out of all flora present in Indian subcontinent 40% species are alien, in which only 25% are invasive (Singh, 2005)....
[...]
TL;DR: A comprehensive and in-depth systematic phytoanalysis and phytopharmacological investigation of the full spectrum of phytochemical diversity of medicinal plants should be performed to achieve the dreams of plant-derived drug discovery via exploration of recent advances in technologies, instruments, and integration of different disciplines, such as ethnobotany, phytochemistry, analytical chemistry, biotechnology, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and pharmacology as mentioned in this paper .
Abstract: The diversity of bioactive phytochemicals in plants of medicinal importance is the most precious gift of nature. The floral and phytochemical diversity of earth has been exploited as a primary source of life-supporting plant-derived bioactive phytochemicals to fight against common ailments and disorders in traditional-, herbal-, and ethnomedicine since the beginning of human civilization. Despite certain challenges associated with plant-derived drugs, modern medicine also is keenly interested in exploring this phytochemical diversity for the discovery of new bioactive molecules or unique templates or scaffolds for the development of novel synthetic or semi-synthetic drugs due to the inability of alternative drug discovery strategies, the huge structural diversity of plant-based therapeutic phytochemicals, their superior quality, higher curative properties with fewer adverse side effects, safety, affordability and acceptance across multiple cultures, and ethnicities in contrast to synthetic chemical drugs. Nations with a wealth of biodiversity have been an eagle’s eye for the global pharmaceutical sector to identify new therapeutic agents or develop new drugs to manage specific chronic diseases throughout the last two centuries. The discovery of new phytochemicals from medicinal plants is a complicated, challenging, and/or time-consuming scientific task, usually involving the selection and collection of biota, extraction of phytochemicals, isolation, and purification of each or targeted compound, structure elucidation and identification of innovative phytochemicals, bioactivity tests (biochemical and pharmacological tests) using various techniques according to the structural variety, and stability. A comprehensive and in-depth systematic phytoanalysis and phytopharmacological investigation of the full spectrum of phytochemical diversity of medicinal plants should be performed to achieve the dreams of plant-derived drug discovery via exploration of recent advances in technologies, instruments, and integration of different disciplines, such as ethnobotany, phytochemistry, analytical chemistry, biotechnology, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and pharmacology. These will help to overcome challenges associated with phytochemical discovery, screening, isolation, separation, purification, detection, identification, and structural characterization in the realm of phytochemicals. Simplification in comprehensive and effective regulatory governing systems of biodiversity-rich countries for the accessibility of plant resources and techniques and conservation of threatened, endangered plants may motivate phytochemical-based drug research programs and many pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
01 Jan 2022
TL;DR: A series of measures both at international and national/regional levels have been commenced for monitoring biodiversity conservation and sustainable use as mentioned in this paper , and a national legislative framework and policies have been formulated and executed by the Government of India (GOI) making its stance on biodiversity conservation very clear.
Abstract: Biodiversity conservation and using natural resources in a sustainable manner have always been a part of India’s moral code of conduct. With about 2.4% of the world’s landmass, India boasts a high percentage (7–8%) of world's recorded species. India’s rich biodiversity can be easily assessed from the fact that India ranks ninth in avian, seventh in mammals, and fifth in reptile diversity. For a country as populous as India, conserving biodiversity is crucial not only because of the goods and services obtained (necessities of survival) but also because it provides direct or indirect livelihood opportunities for millions of people and helps increase their socioeconomic status. For this, a series of measures both at international and national/regional levels have been commenced for monitoring biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. Conventions and treaties have been signed at the international level, and national legislative framework and policies have been formulated and executed by the Government of India (GOI), making its stance on biodiversity conservation very clear. However, the end goal cannot be achieved by the efforts of any government alone unless the local communities support the same vision.
References
More filters
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that small green spaces are critical systems and help support biodiversity across three scale within the city and results suggests that density of NPs is more important rather than the size of NPS.
Abstract: Cities comprise of mixed green patches that vary in size and are highly scattered and disconnected. Although small green spaces largely dominate the cityscape, they are often neglected and ignored by the naturalists and conservationists, as they do not fulfill the large green spaces criteria. The citizens on the other hand seem to have a different perception and requirements from small green spaces as they are within their neighbourhood. Bangalore, a developing city within South India, consists of a large number of newly formed residential areas which have pocket green spaces in the form of neighbourhood parks (henceforth NPs). They are maintained by the municipality and are mainly designed for recreation purposes, completely neglecting the fact that these spaces could be essential for biodiversity. Here, there is a disconnect between the requirements of the citizens, conservationists and the end product that the municipality delivers. Here, through a questionnaire survey we assess the biodiversity citizens are fond off, and use them as surrogate taxa for the not so immediately obvious taxa, insects to enumerate the biodiversity within NPs. We analyze and identify landscape characteristics around NPs which could enhance the biodiversity within NPs. Our results reveal that people are fond of Birds and Butterflies and we use them as surrogates for the inconspicuous taxa to assess biodiversity within NPs. 55 tree species, 45 species of birds, 41 species of butterflies and 68 morpho species of insects were recorded. We demonstrate that small green spaces are critical systems and help support biodiversity across three scale within the city. Interestingly, results suggests that density of NPs is more important rather than the size of NPs. Also, the presence of high density of NPs within a neighbourhood could support similar biodiversity that large green spaces support. Finally, this study provides insights on the landscape matrix that could help enhance biodiversity support service within NPs and the surrounding neighbourhood.
13 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, a short review paper explains the scope of biodiversity while highlighting its tremendous aid to mankind as well as its intrinsic and anthropogenic values that justifies the need for their conservation and sustainable use.
Abstract: Biodiversity plays significant roles in the lives of humans. Unfortunately, global statistics indicate a speedy decline in the numbers of flora and fauna diversities, with extinction threats for many of them. This short review paper explains the scope of biodiversity while highlighting its tremendous aid to mankind as well as its intrinsic and anthropogenic values that justifies the need for their conservation and sustainable use. The paper relied on extensive review and interpretative analysis of existing secondary literature on the subject and provides synthesizing interactions between biodiversity and their ecosystems. The paper unveils the direct and indirect benefits of biodiversity which are pertinent to life sustenance. It cautions governments to support bodies and institutions that are tasked with the responsibility of conserving biodiversity. This support in the form of logistics and funding would aid them in carrying out the education and sensitization programs on the need to conserve biodiversity for the perpetual sustenance of the lives of the current and future generations.
7 citations
TL;DR: The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBAP) is the primary tool for implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at the country level as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan is the primary tool for implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at the country level. A National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) was prepared for India in 2008, through an inter-ministerial consultative process. Five years later, it was considered necessary to align the existing NBAP in accordance with the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets (ABTs). This was achieved by formulating India’s National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs) and developing a monitoring framework using indicators, and through an evaluation of funding support for biodiversity conservation in India. The draft document was prepared and reviewed through a series of national stakeholder consultations and technical review meetings, based on which the ‘National Biodiversity Action Plan: Addendum 2014 to NBAP 2008’ was finalized. As part of its commitments to the CBD to accomplish the global ABTs, India must ensure effective implementation of the NBAP and meet the NBTs. This requires cooperation amongst all stakeholders including the relevant federal ministries and state level agencies along with a rigorous and time-bound application of the monitoring framework.
3 citations