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Biodiversity: Key Facts You Must Know

Hello students! Today, let’s learn some important facts about biodiversity that will be very helpful for your high school and college exams. In this lesson, we will discuss many key points related to biodiversity, such as how many biodiversity hotspots exist worldwide, who discovered or coined the term “biodiversity,” how many species have gone extinct, important details about biodiversity in India, and many other essential facts. So, let’s start with some quick facts to help you understand this important topic better!

Quick Facts on Biodiversity

  • Arthropoda has the largest number of species among animal phyla.

  • Biodiversity Act was enacted in 2002.

  • There are a total of 34 biodiversity hotspots worldwide.

  • The Evil Quartet refers to four major causes of biodiversity loss.

  • Brazil has the highest biodiversity in the world.

  • A keystone species is one that exerts a strong influence on an ecosystem.

 Conservation Insights

  • According to conservation biologists, 30% of Earth’s land surface should be strictly protected.

  • The concept of biodiversity hotspots was introduced by Myers.

  • The Amazon rainforest is known as the “lungs of the planet”.

  • Sacred groves are found in the Aravali hills of Rajasthan.

  • Maximum nutritional diversity is found in Monera.

  • Oman is recognized as a sacred landscape.

 Interesting Biodiversity Trivia

  • The term Biodiversity was coined by Edward Wilson.

  • Rice has about 50,000 different strains.

  • Mango has 1,000 varieties.

  • India records 45,000 plant species and 90,000 animal species.

  • The Amazonian forest includes:

    • 1,300 bird species

    • 427 mammals

    • 427 amphibians

    • 378 reptiles

    • More than 125,000 invertebrates

  • India is divided into 10 biogeographical regions.

 Biodiversity Protection Status

  • According to IUCN Red List (2004), 784 species are extinct (338 vertebrates + 359 invertebrates).

  • 15,500 species worldwide face the threat of extinction.

  • Percentage of species threatened with extinction:

    • 12% birds

    • 23% mammals

    • 32% amphibians

    • 31% gymnosperms

Biodiversity in India

  • India has:

  • Wildlife Protection Act was passed in 1972.

  • Biosphere Reserve Scheme started in 1986.

  • National Forest Policy introduced in 1988.

 Tiger and National Parks

  • Largest tiger reserve in India: Nagarjunsagar.

  • Nandankanan Zoo is known for the white tiger.

  • Sundarbans are famous for tigers.

  • World’s first national park: Yellowstone National Park (USA).

  • India’s first national park: Jim Corbett National Park.

 

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