Biodiversity. Newsletter

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1 K S KA OA R D RNATA DI V E R YB IT A BIO Biodiversity Newsletter Karnataka Biodiversity Board Editorial To create awareness and disseminate information on biodiversity, the Karnataka Biodiversity Board (KBB) is bringing out this quarterly Newsletter in which articles on biodiversity conservation and management in Karnataka are being published. Articles related to biodiversity are invited for individuals and organizations (Forests, Ecology & Environment) Ground Floor, Vana Vikas 18th Cross, Malleshwaram Bengaluru Volume 4 - Issue:3 Julr-Sept 2013 For private circulation only

2 National Biodiversity Congress and Expo Held at Kanakakunnu Palace, Thiruvananthapuram on Dec, Major Theme: Biodiversity for Food Security. A special session on "Western Ghats in World Heritage Status: Challenges and Opportunities". Displayed publications of Karnataka Biodiversity Board depicting the rich Biodiversity of the State. Vivek Dhage Report warns of human folly in Western Ghats, Times of India Conference of Parties (COP) - 11 K. Jayaram COP-11 held at Hyderabad from 1st to 19th October Scientists discover 133 new fauna species in India, Zeenews Karnataka Biodiversity Board (KBB) was the coordinator deputed by National Biodiversity Authority for the preparation and display of publications of all State Biodiversity Boards of India. Participants from 194 countries attended the COP. Almost all State Biodiversity Boards participated with 20 SBB putting exhibits on the natural, cultural and heritage elements of their states. Brouchers-7, Posters-18, Standees-8, PBR-44, Documentary movie-1, Seeds of minor millets-15, Booklets-9, Annual report, Action plan (Karnataka state Biodiversity Strategies and action plan), Books-25, Newsletter-7, Fliers-5 Demand for a Himalayan policy gathers pace, Business Standard People's Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) contain comprehensive information on availability and knowledge of local biological resources, their uses, traditional knowledge associated with them. Preparation of PBRs has been one of the major functions of the Board. This year the Board has planned to prepare PBRs in 90 GPs by 12 Universities in 10 different agro climatic zones of Karnataka. Universities have identified Coordinators and Co coordinators to guide the PBR Preparation. Estuaries are one of the highly productive and biologically rich ecosystems of the planet. The Karnataka Biodiversity Board has taken initiatives to conserve these estuaries and planning to declare them as Biodiversity Heritage Sites with the co-opeartion of CMFRI. KBB has also funded the survey of Kali and Aghanashini estuaries. Turtle smuggling rampant on KrishnaWest Godavari border, The Hindu Cover Photo by Sandeep Dutta Karnataka Biodiversity Board has funded the Study of Floristic diversity, ecological uniqueness and conservation strategies of Riparian flora of Netravati river system in Western Ghats range of Dakshina Kannada. This study includes documentation of riparian flora including several rare, endangered endemic plants. Activities of Karnataka Biodiversity Board Second Indian Biodiversity Congress & Expo KBB participated in Indian Biodiversity Congress Held at JN TATA auditorium, Bangalore on 9-11 December Major theme: Biodiversity Heritage of Western Ghats - Challenges and Strategies for conservation and sustainable management. KBB participated in Indian Biodiversity Expo Held at Veterinary College Ground, Hebbal, Bangalore on 8-11 December Major theme: Showcasing the rich Biodiversity Heritage of the country and a kaleidoscopic spectacle of variety of life in India. KBB was awarded first place for best display of Biodiversity of Karnataka in Indian Biodiversity Expo.

3 marriage, livelihood or death. No other set of humans has such a symbiotic and peaceful coexistence as tribals have with nature. This anthropo-sylvan ecosystemic relationship has led to a large concentration of tribals wherever there are tribals. Infact, it would be fair to say that wherever there are forests, tribals are bound to be living there. Thus forests and tribals are inseparable as long as forests exist. The entire gamut of activities that the tribal undertakes is linked to the forest. In tribal dominated regions, it is the forest, which provides resources for food, cloth and shelter. Not only this, forests also satisfy cultural and religious aspirations of the people. A Need to conserve Forests Forests are the givers of life to millions of people worldwide. They provide innumerable benefits to people living adjacent to them. A large percentage of the rural poor live in the vicinity of forests and majority of them are totally dependent upon the forest for their livelihood. Proper development of the people depends upon the resources, which are available to them. Forests are thus one of the major resources, which have an influence upon the people living in the fringes. Moreover tribals are a set of people whose life is closely intertwined with nature. They are born, are brought up and die in the close vicinity of the forests. Forest is the common thread in all their aspects of life, whether it is Shanker As India progresses, the immediate concern is to ensure that the natural heritage of the country is protected at any cost. Forests of Karnataka grow naturally in these forests. Karnataka forest is endowed with rich wildlife, harbors 25 percent of the elephant population of India, 10% of the Tiger population. The state has 5 National parks and 21 sanctuaries comprising about 17.3% of total forest area as protected area for wildlife and biodiversity. The state ranks 4th among all the state and union territories in respect of area under tree cover. Forests provide Non Timber Forest Produce, which play a major role in the tribal economy. NTFPs are biological resources other than timber, which are harvested from either natural or managed forests. These NTFPs are an important source of livelihood for many indigenous communities in Karnataka particularly those living in forest fringe villages. NTFPs like nellikai, honey and other products have a major bearing on the social, cultural and economic life of the tribals. The coming years are going to be a test of the resilience and character of the people of Karnataka who have to strive extra hard to protect these fragile resources, and indeed the future looks bright for the forests of Karnataka. The State of Karnataka is one of the biodiversity rich regions of India. The State is endowed with great diversity of climate, topography and soil. Karnataka, has 3.83 Million ha of recorded forestarea which is around 20 percent of its geographical area. Forests abound, ranging from majestic evergreen forests of the Western Ghats to the scrub jungles of the plains. The Western Ghats of Karnataka are one of the 25 global priority hotspots for conservation and one of the two on the Indian subcontinent. Several economically important species such as Sandalwood, Rosewood, Teak, White cedar

4 BIODIVERSITY of Karnatak The prime objective of the Board is to foster the institutional setup for documen sustainable use and development of the rich biodiversity of the state. The functions of the Board as per section 23 of Act are to: Advise the State Government, subject to any guidelines issued by the Central Government, on matters relating to the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of biological resources; Regulate by granting of approvals or otherwise requests for commercial utilization or bio-survey and bioutilization of any biological resource by Indians Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 or as may be prescribed by the State Government. NATA YAR A DI VER BIO S O AR D YB IT K Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given species, ecosystem, biome, or planet. This includes ecosystem, genetic and cultural diversity, and the connections between these and all species. The diversity of species on Earth is incredible. Right now, there are more than 1.7 million species that have been discovered and named while scientists think that there are millions more we don t know about. The different plants, animals and other forms of life interact with each other in so many ways that we are still figuring them out. Over time, many species of plants and animals have evolved to depend on one another. For example, some plants can only be pollinated by a certain kind of bird or insect. In relationships like these, if one species becomes extinct, the other species could too. The term biological diversity was used first by wildlife scientist and conservationist Raymond F. Dasmann in the 1968 lay book A Different Kind of Country advocating conservation. The term was widely adopted only after more than a decade, when in the 1980s it came into common usage in science and environmental policy. Biodiversity is everywh Look around you!!!

5 FLORA & FAUNA ka 3410 Plants 522 Birds 180 Mammals 160 Reptiles 70 Amphibians 276 Fishes (Marine & Brackish) 201 Fishes (Fresh water) 300 Butterflies ntation, here. CROP 43 Ragi (Finger Millet) 16 Millets 29 Rice (Dryland) 121Rice (Wetland) 115 Vegetables 34 Cereals 9 Oil seeds 4 Wheat LIVESTOCK BREEDS 6 Cow 3 Buffalo 4 Sheep 1Goat 5 Hen 3 Rabbit PROTECTED AREAS Kms National parks - 5 Nos 4000 Kms Sanctuaries - 22 Nos 6 Fish sanctuaries 5 ZOOLOGICAL PARKS 15 MEDICINAL PLANTS (Dhanvantari vana) Habitat loss may be the greatest threat to Biodiversity on earth, being the primary threat to 85% of species most habitat loss is due to intensive harvesting and expansion of agricultural land. The bigest cause include felling of trees (Both legal and ill-legal) for the cause of land exploitation and human disasters. Conserve NOW!!

6 Biodiversity and Wetlands W Wetlands can be thought of as "biological supermarkets" They provide great volumes of food that attract many animal species. These animals use wetlands for part of or all of their life-cycle. The enriched material found in wetlands feeds many small aquatic insects, shellfish, and small fish that in turn are food for larger predatory fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals.biodiversity in wetlands is also valuable as a reservoir of genes. Rice is a common wetland plant and the staple Sandeep Dutta etlands are among the more important reservoirs of biodiversity that nature has painstakingly crafted over millions of years. It is estimated that wetlands are second only to the rain forests in the number of wildlife and plant species that depend on them for feeding and habitat. They form refuge areas in times of drought, provide important breeding and nursery areas for a large range of animals. Freshwater wetlands hold more than 40% of the world's species and 12% of all animal species. Some wetlands contain significant numbers of endemic species. Wetland biodiversity is a significant reservoir of genes that has considerable economic potential in the pharmaceutical industry and in commercial crop plants. diet for over half the world's population. Many animals that live in other habitats use wetlands for migration or reproduction. For example, herons nest in large old trees, but need shallow areas in order to wade for fish and aquatic life. Amphibians often forage in upland areas but return to the water to mate and reproduce. WETLANDS & BIRDS we depend on you Sandeep Dutta For most wetland-dependent birds, habitat loss in breeding areas translates directly into population losses as birds may move to less suitable habitats. Wetlands provide valuable habitat for birds to breed, nest, and rear their young. Wetlands are a source of drinking water, feeding, resting, shelter, and social interactions. Wetlands provide food for birds in the form of plants, vertebrates, and invertebrates. Wetland vegetation provides shelter from predators and from the weather. For most wetland-dependent birds, habitat loss in breeding areas translates directly into population losses as birds may move to less suitable habitats. Birds that breed in this environment will not contribute to a sustainable population through the years. Wetland loss due to draining, filling, or altering of surface-water and ground-water flow is a serious concern. Wetland vegetation may be altered by introducing exotic species, making it of little value to wetlanddependent birds. The use of pesticides on farmland has further reduced the amount of safe habitat available for birds. Wetlands and birds form a symbiotic bond a link that is strained today. Birds common in your locality are increasingly becoming rare in most parts. We need to take immediate steps to protect our birds from disappearing. You can start by protecting a wetland close to you.

7 Secondly, wetlands act as water purifiers and trap suspended and dissolved contaminants by acting as settling basins. They filter pollutants that might otherwise flow into rivers and lakes. As water passes through the wetland it slows down, allowing sediment to settle. As a result, cleaner water flows from the wetland. Wetlands are infact, often referred to as the kidneys of the landscape. W etlands are complex and there is much that human beings still do not know about them. Yet, it has been studied by scientists and understood by communities that live close to them that wetlands provide invaluable benefits to both man and wildlife that is so dependent upon them. Firstly, wetlands aid in preserving the environment by acting like sponges. They absorb water from various sources during wet periods, and release it slowly into the surrounding areas during dry periods. Wetlands also function in groundwater recharge as some floodwaters that wetlands capture during storms percolates down. In this way, wetlands can help reduce flooding, ease the impact of drought and recharge groundwater supplies. In addition, wetlands perform several other functions such as participation in the water cycle, functioning as a sink for natural and anthropogenic waste material and acting as a protective barrier to coastlines, shorelines and deep water habitat Wetlands are threatened water quality. The rich biodiversity that we often see in wetlands, though abundant, is most vulnerable to any change in wetland ecology. Much of this biodiversity stands to be lost forever if wetland resources are not used judiciously. Whether in the hills or plains, wetlands need to preserved. The immense loss and undermining of wetland status needs to be reviewed, active rethinking must happen and restorative action undertaken to preserve our wetlands. Vivek Dhage G lobally and in India, wetlands are facing relentless pressure. They have been steadily and rapidly disappearing across the country over the past decades. The most severe impact has been from man and his activities. Besides, threat of invasive plant species has also accelerated loss of wetland habitat. A number of activities cause wetland degradation and loss including development, road buildingaccording to the World Conservation Union (IUCN): Already 50% of the world's wetlands have been lost. The degradation of wetlands puts the livelihoods of communities and the biological diversity at risk. Over 800 freshwater species worldwide are now threatened with extinction., grazing, agriculture, mining, dumping, dredging, draining, diverting flow, devegetation, damming flow and destruction of springs Destroying or degrading wetlands can lead to severe consequences that include increased flooding, extinction of species, and decline in Fourthly, many wetlands support abundant wildlife. Wetlands often have a complex food chain that supports many organisms and wildlife species. They are the breeding, feeding, and nesting grounds for a tremendous diversity of biota, including many threatened and endangered species. Role of a wetland Sunil S.S Thirdly, wetlands use up excess nitrate which when converted into nitrite in groundwater may cause a deadly disease called blue baby syndrome. Wetland plant communities can remove a lot of nitrate from polluted water inputs. In addition, microbes that live on the surface of plant roots in a wetland remove 10 times more nitrate than do the plants themselves. According to the World Conservation Union (IUCN): Already 50% of the world's wetlands have been lost. The degradation of wetlands puts the livelihoods of communities and the biological diversity at risk. Over 800 freshwater species worldwide are now threatened with extinction.

8 Karnataka State Marine Biodiversity Molluscs: 234 molluscan species were recorded belonging to 65 families. The Class Gastropoda accounted for 62% of the molluscan diversity followed by Bivalvia (30%); Cephalopoda (7%) and Amphineura & Scaphopoda (1%). K arnataka State has a 300 km long coastline and is a frontline state in marine fisheries development. Historically known as the ''mackerel coast'', it has a continental shelf area of 25,000 km2. About 80% of the shelf area lies between 0 and 72m depth. Its contribution to the total marine fish production of the country has varied from 6 to 14 % annually. Crustaceans: A total of 29 species of shrimps, belonging to 6 families were collected from coastal and marine zones of Karnataka. Penaeidae was the largest family with 16 species. Flora: Total of 62 phytoplankton species were observed and out of which 5 species were toxic capable of producing paralytic Shell fish poisoning if they bloom. A total of 78 species of seaweeds and 2 species of sea grasses were observed. Vivek Dhage Intertidal rocks along the Islands registered fairly good flora of brown seaweeds dominated by Sargassum ilicifolium, having economic importance for extracting algin. Five species of starfish, 2 species of sea urchins and only 1 species of sea cucumber was identified. Zooplankton: Total of 115 zooplankton species belonging to 56 families were recorded from the Karnataka coast. Fishes: Three hundred and ninety (390) fish species belonging to 24 orders and 118 families which were collected and identified from the coast, which forms 15.3% of the coastal fishes reported from Indian coast. Six species of demospongia sponges, 25 species of sea anemones and 3 species of bryozoans were identified. The coast consisted of 40 elasmobranch species (sharks, rays and skates) and 350 bony fishes. Benthic organisms: Polychaetes were the most dominant species. Nearly 143 species of polychaetes belonging to 34 different families were recorded. Marine reptiles: Three species of sea turtles belonging to a single family (Chelonidae) have been found (endangered). Four species of nematodes and 1 species nemertians were also recorded. Three species of sea snakes belonging to a single family (Hydrophiidae) was also recorded. Book Post Biodiversity is everywhere. Look around you!!! Editor-in-Chief: Member Secretary, KBB Bangalore Ph: Fax: [email protected] Sandeep Dutta Biodiversity Board, Ground Floor, Vana Vikas 18th Cross, Malleshwaram, Bengaluru If Undelivered return to Printed Matter Editorial Board Information, statements or mention of products in Biodiversity Newsletter does not imply endorsement by the KBB, Editorial Board.