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Conservation of Biodiversity - Endemic Species and Red Data Book

Grade 8CBSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, existing on Earth and their relationship with the environment.

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Endemic Species are those species of plants and animals which are found exclusively in a particular area. They are not naturally found anywhere else. For example, SalSal and Wild MangoWild\ Mango are endemic flora of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

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Factors affecting endemic species include habitat destruction, increasing population, and the introduction of new species, which may threaten the natural habitat of endemic species and endanger their existence.

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The Red Data Book is the source book which keeps a record of all the endangered animals and plants. It is maintained internationally by the IUCNIUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

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Endangered Species are those whose numbers are diminishing to a level that they might face extinction. Examples include the Indian RhinocerosIndian\ Rhinoceros and the TigerTiger.

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Extinct Species are those that no longer exist on Earth, such as the DodoDodo or DinosaursDinosaurs.

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An Ecosystem is made of all the plants, animals, and microorganisms in an area along with non-living components like climate, soil, and river deltas.

📐Formulae

Biodiversity Index=Number of different speciesTotal number of individual organisms\text{Biodiversity Index} = \frac{\text{Number of different species}}{\text{Total number of individual organisms}}

Endemism (%)=(Number of Endemic SpeciesTotal Species in the Region)×100\text{Endemism (\%)} = \left( \frac{\text{Number of Endemic Species}}{\text{Total Species in the Region}} \right) \times 100

Rate of Extinction=ΔSΔt\text{Rate of Extinction} = \frac{\Delta S}{\Delta t} (where ΔS\Delta S is the change in number of species and Δt\Delta t is the time interval)

💡Examples

Problem 1:

Identify the endemic fauna of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve from the following: BisonBison, Indian Giant SquirrelIndian\ Giant\ Squirrel, and Flying SquirrelFlying\ Squirrel.

Solution:

All three organisms listed—BisonBison, Indian Giant SquirrelIndian\ Giant\ Squirrel, and Flying SquirrelFlying\ Squirrel—are considered endemic fauna of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

Explanation:

These animals are restricted to this specific geographical area and are not found naturally in other regions, making them endemic.

Problem 2:

If a specific population of a species XX is reduced from Ninitial=5000N_{initial} = 5000 to Nfinal=200N_{final} = 200 over a few years, how would the Red Data Book likely categorize this species?

Solution:

The species XX would be categorized as an 'Endangered Species'.

Explanation:

Since the population has reached a level where it faces a high risk of extinction in the wild (a significant drop in NN), the IUCNIUCN records such species in the Red Data Book to highlight the need for conservation.

Problem 3:

Why is the introduction of a new species (exotic species) a threat to endemic species?

Solution:

Introduction of new species →\rightarrow Competition for resources →\rightarrow Threat to Endemic Species.

Explanation:

New species may compete with endemic species for food and space, or they may prey upon them. Since endemic species are adapted to a specific niche, they may not survive this new biological pressure.