Biodiversity is the way, so don't let nature go astray
Biodiversity is the collection of flora and fauna of a place. Biodiversity Hotspot is a region that is a prime location for the existence of rich biodiversity but also faces the threat of destruction. It is a place that needs our immediate and constant attention to survive and thrive in the future as well.This idea of identifying hotspots was put forth by Norman Myers in 1988. By now, a total of 35 biodiversity hotspots have been identified out of which most of them lie in tropical forests. Almost 2.3% of the land surface of Earth is represented by these hotspots. These also comprise around 50% of the world's most common plant species and 42% of terrestrial vertebrates prevalent. Sadly, these biodiversity hotspots have been losing 86% of their habitats some of which are still on the verge of extinction due to serious threats posed by climate change and human intervention.
To be called a hotspot, a region has to be able to fulfil at least two criteria including:
1. It should comprise at least 1500 species of vascular plants i.e. more than 0.5% of the world's total plants.2. It should have lost greater than or equal to 70% of its original habitat.
India has always been on the list of the richest countries in the world for its biodiversity which can easily be seen in the demography of its land. Though biodiversity and demographic diversity are two completely different topics, the human population has been dependant on biodiversity forever in numerous ways. Also, as a result of exponential growth in the human population, their survival pressure has increased tremendously on biodiversity.
Rich Biodiversity of India
As it has been already mentioned, India is a country rich in biological diversity. It is situated in the Indomalaya ecozone and comprises of 2 out of the 35 biodiversity hotspots in the world. The third one, that is, Indo Burma lies partially in North-East India.In India, there are approximate-
-350 mammals which make up 7.6% of world species
-1224 birds which make up 2.6% of the world species
-197 amphibians which make up 4.4% of the world species
-408 reptiles which make up 6.2% of the world species
-2546 fishes which make up 11.7% of the world species
-15000 flowering plants which make up 6% of the world species
History
India originally belonged to Gondwana from where many of the Indian species (descendants of taxa) originated. Due to the collision of Peninsular India with the Laurasian landmass, there was a mass exchange of species that took place. However, what caused the most turmoil was the eruption of volcanoes and climate change 20 million years ago which led to the extinction of many Indian forms. After this, mammals were seen entering India from Asia through the Himalayas as a result of which out of the Indian species, there were 12.6% mammals and 4.5% birds which were endemic and 45.8% reptiles as well as 55.8% amphibians.Four Biodiversity Hotspots in India
Some of these biodiversity hotspots are present in India which includes:1. The Western Ghats
These hills are present along the western edge of peninsular India. Since they are situated near the ocean, they are likely to receive a good amount of rainfall. Most of the deciduous, as well as rainforests, are present in this region. Around 77% of the amphibians and 62% of the reptiles found here cannot be spotted elsewhere in the world. Sri Lanka in the South of India is a country that is rich in species too.There are more than 6000 vascular plants here which belong to more than 2500 genus. 3000 plants out of these are endemic. Most of the spices found in the world such as black pepper and cardamom all are believed to have originated in the Western Ghats. Most of the species are however present in the Agasthyamalai Hills situated in the extreme South. The region is also home to around 450 species of birds, 140 mammals, 260 reptiles and 175 amphibians. Such diversity is quite beautiful as well as rare but now lies on the verge of extinction. The vegetation in this region was originally spread over 190,000 square kilometres but has reduced to 43,000 square kilometres today. Only 1.5% of the original forest is still prevalent in Sri Lanka.
2. The Himalayas
This region comprises Bhutan, Northeast India, and Southern, Central and Eastern Nepal. These Himalayan Mountains are the highest in the world and abode some of the highest peaks of the world including Mount Everest and K2. Some of the major rivers in the world originate from the Himalayas. The Himalayas comprise more than 100 mountains beyond 7200 meters.There are almost 163 endangered species in this region including one-horned rhinoceros, wild Asian water buffalo and as many as 45 mammals, 50 birds, 12 amphibians, 17 reptiles, 3 invertebrates and 36 plant species. One such endangered species found here is the relict dragonfly whose only other species is found in Japan. Himalayan Newt is also present in this region. Coming to the fauna, there are 10,000 species of plants in the Himalayas a third of which are endemic and cannot be located anywhere else in the world. Some of the threatened ones include Cheer pheasant, Western Tragopan, Himalayan quail, Himalayan vulture, White-bellied heron and the like. Mammals too can be spotted here with over 300 species such as Asiatic wild dogs, sloth bears, snow leopard, black bear, blue sheep and wild water buffalo. Namadapha flying squirrel is, however, a mammal that is almost on the verge of extinction and therefore needs immediate attention.
3. Indo-Burma Region
This region consists of numerous countries including North-Eastern India (to the south of the Brahmaputra River), Myanmar, and China's Yunnan provinces southern part, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. It is spread over a distance of 2 million square kilometres.Although this region is quite rich in its biodiversity, it has been worsening over the past few decades. Six species of mammals have been discovered in this region recently including large-antlered muntjac, Annamite Muntjac, grey-shanked douc, leaf deer, saola and Annamite striped rabbit. Other species such as monkeys, langurs, and gibbons can be found here with a population of less than a hundred. Freshwater turtle species found in the region are however endemic. 1300 species of birds too can be spotted here including the white-eared night-heron, Gray-crowned crocias, and orange necked Patridge most of which are endangered. Almost 13,500 plant species can be spotted in the region half of which are endemic and cannot be found in any other place in the world.
4. Sundaland
This region lies in South-East Asia and includes Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia. The Nicobar Islands represent India. These islands were declared as the world biosphere reserve in 2013 by the United Nations. These islands have a rich terrestrial as well as marine ecosystem including mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. Species such as dolphins, whales, turtles, crocodiles, fishes, prawns, lobsters and seashells comprise marine biodiversity. In case the marine resources are over-used, it can pose a serious threat to biodiversity.
Major Reasons for Loss of Biodiversity in Hotspots
These include:1. Destruction of habitats
2. Pollution and environmental degradation
3. Poachings
4. Climate Change
It is high time to step up and start taking measures to protect our natural biodiversity before time actually runs out.
"Going green is the PURRfect idea. Stop the pollution or the future will be unBEARable."