Activities

Activity 1: Biodiversity Identification Challenge

Aim: To appreciate the enormous variety of life as stated in the textbook.

Procedure:

1. List the estimated number of species for the following groups (as per Robert May and IUCN records):
   • Ants: ~20,000
   • Beetles: ~3,00,000
   • Fishes: ~28,000
   • Orchids: ~20,000
2. Research why Insects are the most species-rich taxonomic group among animals (making up > 70% of the total).
3. Discuss the role of "chitinous exoskeleton" and "small body size" in their success.

Conclusion: Biodiversity is not just a number; it represents millions of years of evolutionary adaptations to diverse niches.

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Activity 2: Plotting the Species-Area Relationship

Aim: To visualize the mathematical relationship between area and species richness.

Procedure:

1. Refer to Figure 13.2 in the textbook.
2. Sketch a graph showing Area (x-axis) vs. Species Richness (y-axis).
3. Draw the Rectangular Hyperbola and the Linear Log Scale.
4. Label the equation: log S = log C + Z log A.
5. Inquiry: What happens to the slope (Z) when you compare species richness in a single city vs. across an entire continent?

Conclusion: As the area explored increases, species richness increases, but the rate of increase becomes steeper for very large geographical scales.

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Activity 3: Investigating the "Evil Quartet"

Aim: To identify real-world examples of the four major causes of biodiversity loss.

Procedure:

1. Divide into four groups, each taking one cause:
   • Group 1: Habitat Loss: Research the "Lungs of the Planet" (Amazon Forest) and why it's being cleared.
   • Group 2: Over-exploitation: Research the story of the Passenger Pigeon or Steller’s Sea Cow.
   • Group 3: Alien Invasions: List three invasive weeds in India (Parthenium, Lantana, Eicchornia) and their impacts.
   • Group 4: Co-extinctions: Research the relationship between specialized pollinators and their host plants.
2. Present a brief summary of how these factors contribute to the "Sixth Extinction".

Conclusion: Human activities are the primary drivers of the accelerated rates of species extinction today.

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Activity 4: Mapping India’s Protected Areas

Aim: To locate and understand the in situ conservation efforts in India.

Procedure:

1. On an outline map of India, mark the following:
   • Hotspots: Western Ghats, Himalayas, Indo-Burma (North East).
   • Biosphere Reserves: (e.g., Nilgiri, Nanda Devi).
   • National Parks: (e.g., Jim Corbett, Kaziranga).
   • Sacred Groves: (e.g., Khasi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya).
2. Research the difference between a National Park and a Wildlife Sanctuary.

Conclusion: Legal protection of ecosystems through in situ conservation is essential for preserving India's rich biological wealth.