Suggest a place where one can go to study coral reefs, mangrove vegetation and estuaries.
Places to be suggested for studying coral reefs-Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Mangrove vegetation-Paschim Banga Sunderban, Estuaries-Coastal areas of Karnataka.
Is it true that there is more solar energy available in the tropics? Explain briefly.
Yes, There is more solar energy available in the tropics because
(i) The sun's rays are more concentrated.
(ii) The sun's rays have less atmosphere to pass through, so less energy is lost in absorption and reflection by the atmosphere.
(iii) Tropical rainforest areas absorbs radiations due to presence of dense vegetation. Availability of more solar energy in tropics contribute higher productivity which in turn might contribute greater maximum biodiversity.
What is co-extinction? Explain with a suitable example?
When a species becomes extinct, the plant and animal species associated with it, in an obligatory way, also become extinct, e.g., when a host fish species becomes extinct, its parasites also vanish. This is called co-extinction.
Some other examples of co-extinction are; plant-pollinator mutualism where extinction of one leads to the extinction of other. Monophagous insect that feeds on particular plant species becomes extinct due to extinction of that plant species.
Elaborate how invasion by an alien species reduces the species diversity of an area.
When alien species are introduced unintentionally or deliberately in a habitat, some of them can cause decline or extinction of indigenous species, e.g., extensive environmental damage caused and threat posed to our native species by invasive weed species like carrot grass (Parthenium), Lantana and water hyacinth (Eichhornia). Another example of exotic species invasion is Nile perch, a large predator fish.
When this alien species was introduced into lake of Victoria in East Africa, it started feeding on native, cichlid fish. As a result indigenous cichlid fish became extinct and due to scarcity of food, predator Nile perch died too.
How can you, as an individual, prevent the loss of biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the occurrence of different type of species, habitat, ecosystem, gene, genepool in a particular place and various parts of earth.
As an individual, biodiversity can be conserved with conservation strategies and management of both biotic and abiotic resources.
Some of the conservation strategies are as follows
(i) Protection of useful animals and plants in their natural habitat or in situ conservation.
(ii) Preservation of critical habitats like feeding and breeding areas and resting area of endangered species to promote their growth and multiplication.
(iii) Hunting should be banned or regulated.
(iv) Habitat of migratory animals should be protected by bilateral or multilateral agreements.
(v) People should be made aware of the importance of biodiversity and its conservation.
(vi) Over exploitation of natural resources must be avoided.
(vii) Biodiversity plays an important role in maintaining and sustaining supply of goods and services.
(viii) Conservation of biodiversity ensures well being of all the living creatures and their future generations.