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| Last Updated:: 04/08/2025

Biodiversity

                                                                                                                 
    

                                                                            India and CBD                                                          
  

  

 

 

 

 

 

              Biodiversity is the variety of life on earth. It includes the variability of species in terrestrial, aerial and aquatic habitats, the diversity of ecosystems and the diversity of genes they harbor. It is an essential component of the nature and it ensures the survival of human species by providing food, fuel, shelter, medicines and other resources to mankind. Indirectly, biodiversity serves the humans by providing the basic life supporting systems such as clean air, water and fertile soil. The convention on biodiversity has defined it more precisely as the variability among living organisms from all sources including, INTER ALIA, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part, this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. Over the ages, human race used plants and animals as icons to establish cultural identity. The aesthetic value of biodiversity is better realized and it could not be valued ideally with the current economic valuation models. Of late, biodiversity is more reckoned for its unbelievable potential for supplying novel genes for a variety of applications in biotechnology and pharmacology.

 

              The Convention on Biological Diversity, of which India is a signatory, advocates that every country has the responsibility to conserve, restore and sustainable use the biological diversity within its jurisdiction. Further, the human species has the moral responsibility to ensure the survival of other living beings in the biosphere and conserve them for the benefit of future generations. In fact, conservation ethos is interwoven in the cultural, spiritual and religious background of India, even though not fully practiced at present. Kerala, a state nestled in the southern reaches of the Western Ghats in India, proudly embodies extraordinary bio-geographic significance. Here, an astonishing 95% of the Western Ghats’ flowering plants and 90% of its vertebrate fauna find their sanctuary, characterised by remarkable levels of uniqueness. The varied topography and microclimates of Kerala play an important role in nurturing this vast biodiversity. From lush forests to tranquil backwaters, each ecosystem contributes to the medley of life, fostering a harmonious balance. These interconnected eco-complexes, shaped by the intricate interplay of climate, geography and species interactions, continually evolve, presenting a dynamic tableau of nature’s wonders. Recognising and comprehending the ever-changing flora and fauna of Kerala is paramount for effective conservation and management efforts. By exploring and understanding into the composition of this vibrant ecosystem, we can ensure its preservation for generations to come.   

         

 

                 Kerala state is having rich biodiversity  with different types of unique ecosystems viz. Forest ecosystem,  Wetland  ecosystemMangrove ecosystemMarine ecosystem etc. Read more......  

  

Biodiversity of Western Ghats

 

Group

Total Species

% of Endemism

Angiosperms

7974

28

Butterflies

330

11

Fishes

288

41

Amphibians

220

78

Reptiles

225

62

Birds

508

4

Mammals

120

12

Ants

350

20

Odonates

174

40

Molluscs

269

76

 

 

Taxa of Western Ghats with High Diversity

 

Taxa

Number of genera & species (Approximate)

Poaceae

120 genera; 430 species

Leguminosae

85 genera; 350 species

Orchidaceae

60 genera; 285 species

Acanthaceae

45 genera; 125 species

Cyperaceae

21 genera;170 species

Euphorbiaceae

55 genera; 150 species

Asteraceae

58 genera; 150 species

Lamiaceae

25 genera; 120 species

Rubiaceae

40 genera; 110 species

Asclepiadaceae

30 genera; 95 sspecies

 

Biodiversity of Kerala 

 

                  Kerala, situated in the south-western region of India, is particularly famous for its remarkable biodiversity and unique ecosystems viz. Forest ecosystem, Wetland ecosystem, Mangrove ecosystem, Marine ecosystem etc. It falls within the Western Ghats, one of the eight “hottest hotspots” of biodiversity in the world. Among the UNESCO World Heritage list inscribed 39 sites of the Western Ghats, 19 are located in Kerala. Around 95 per cent of the flowering plants and 90 per cent of the vertebrate fauna inthe Western Ghats are found in Kerala. The state is characterized by its tropical forests, wetlands, coastal ecosystems and extensive backwaters. This makes the state a critical hub for biodiversity conservation in India. Biodiversity profile and conserved area networks of Kerala are given below:  

 

Biodiversity Profile of Kerala 

Biodiversity rich areas

India

Kerala

Biodiversity hotpots

4 (Himalayas,Western Ghats,North east part of Indom Burma, Nicobar islands)

Western Ghats Region

Agro biodiversity hotspots

22

Malabar region

Natural world heritage

site – Western Ghats

7 including Western Ghats 39 serial sites

19 serial sites (Agasthyamalai Periyar, Anamalai, Nilgiri Thalakkavery Sub Clusters)

Endemic centres

3 megacentres (Eastern Himalayas,

Western Ghats, Western Himalayas)

3 (Agasthyamala, Anamalai- high ranges and Silent Valley- Wayanad).

Globally important agricultural heritage systems

10

1 ( Kuttanad below sea level farming)

UNESCO World network of Biosphere Reserves

10

1 (Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve)

Source: - Kerala State Biodiversity Board, GoK

 

Details of conserved area networks in Kerala are given below: 

 

 

 

Protected areas

 

Kerala

Wildlife   Sanctuaries

17

National   Parks

5

Biosphere   Reserves

2 (Agasthyamala and Nilgiri Biosphere reserve)

Community  Reserves

1 (Kadalundi-Valikkunu)

Tiger   Reserves

2 (Periyar, Parambikulam)

Elephant   Reserves

4 (Wayanad, Nilmbur, Anamudi, Periyar)

Amsar   Sites

3 (Ashtamudi wetlands, Sasthamkotta,Vembanad-Kole wetlands)

Important Bird areas

33

Wetlands under National Wetland Conservation Programme

5 (Ashtamudi, Sasthamkotta, Kottuli, Kadalundi, Vembanad kole

Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas

7 (Athirapally,Eravikulam,Wayanad, Kulamavu, Peechi, Silentvalley, Triveni)

Source: - Kerala State Biodiversity Board, GoK

 

              The biological diversity Act 2002 was amended in 2023 with the objective of widening the scope of levying access and benefit sharing with local communities and conservation of biological resources. The Kerala SAPCC and Kerala State Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan 2022-32 have emphasized the impact of climate change on biodiversity. In line with the provisions of the National Biological Diversity Act of 2002, the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) was established in 2004 and the corresponding biodiversity rules were subsequently framed. The KSBB is committed to the conservation and protection of the State’s agro, plant, and fish diversity.

 

                Kerala is facing serious challenges due to global warming. It would trigger changes in the growth and regeneration capacity of many species of flora, and also result in significant loss of biodiversity, leading to a shift in boundaries of tropical ever green forests, sholas and mangroves. Altered weather patterns can disrupt ecosystems, threaten species, and affect agricultural practices, ultimately impacting local livelihoods. In the changing climate scenario, Kerala is expected to face several challenges, including an increased intensity of forest fires, vulnerability and extinction of flora and fauna, the disappearance of traditional fish species in marine ecosystems, a reduction in mangrove forest habitats, competition from exotic species and a rise in human-wildlife conflicts.

 

            Preserving biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring the survival of diverse species and ecosystems. This canbe achieved through sustainable practices, conservation efforts, and active community engagement, all of which play a vital role in protecting our earth natural heritage for future generations.

 

Floral Biodiversity of Kerala

Species in major Group of plants-India & Kerala 

 

 

Sl.No

Plant Groups

 World(estimated)

India*

Kerala **

% in India

1

Bryophytes

14,500

2504

465***

18.57

2

Pteridophytes

12,000

1267

337

26.59

3

Gymnosperms

650

74

5

6.75

4

Angiosperms

250,000

17,926

4606

25.69

* India 5th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity , 2014

**Plant Biodiversity of Kerala State – An overview , W. Arisdason & P. Lakshminarasimhan, BSI

***Checklist of Bryophytes of Kerala, Manju, C.N., K.P. Rajesh and P.V. Madhusoodanan, Tropical Bryology Research Reports, No : 7, 2008

  

Faunal Diversity

Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of ecosystems in a given place.

 

Animal groups

No of genera/species

Protozoa

63 generas

Porifera

22 (genera)

Cnidaria

90 genera

Chaetognatha

18

Platyhelminthes

117 genera

Aschelminthes

265

Acanthocephala

27

Annelida

91

Mollusca(Fresh water)

26

Insects

6000

Non-insect Arthropda

600

Echinodermata

8

 

 Vertebrate Diversity – Kerala

 

Taxonomic group

Orders/species

Families

Species

Fishes

41

172

905

Amphibians

2

11

151

Reptiles

3

24

173

Birds

22

88

500

Mammals

13

35

118

All Vertebrates

81

330

1847

(Nameer et al 2015)

  

 Terrestrial Vertebrates of India & Kerala

 

Taxonomic group

India*

Kerala

Percent in Kerala

1

Fishes

3022

189 (6.2 %)

6.2

2

Amphibians

342

151 (44.1 %)

44.1

3

Reptiles

526

164 (31.1%)

31.1

4

Birds

1233

469 (38.0%)

38.0

5

Mammals

423

95 (22.4%)

22.4

6

All Vertebrates

5546

1068

19.2

(Source: India’s 5th National Report to Convention on Biological Diversity, Nameer et al 2015)

 

Vertebrates endemic to Western Ghats & Kerala

  

Taxonomic group

Endemic to Western Ghats

Endemic to Kerala

Fishes

131

57

Amphibians

136

36

Reptiles

87

10

Birds

17

0

Mammals

15

1

All Vertebrates

386

104

  

 

 

 

References

  • Kerala State Biodiversity Board
  • FishBase.org
  • State of the Environment Report (SoE) 2007 published by Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment, Thiruvananthapuram.
  • Wikipedia.org
  • AmphibiaWeb.org
  • reptile-database.org
  • ibc.lynxeds.com
  • birdlife.org
  • birdskerala.com
  • Mammal Species of the World. Don E. Wilson & Dee Ann M. Reeder. JHU Press. 2005
  • keralaforest.org