Test: Biodiversity and Conservation (February 22) - NEET MCQ

• The species of plants contribute to the traditional medicines used by native peoples around the world are approximately 25,000.
• Some examples of traditional plants used for medicinal purposes are ginger, garlic, chamomile, tulsi, etc.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) was founded on 5 October 1948 in France by Julian Huxley. It is working in the field of conservation of nature and sustainable use of natural resources.

The impacts of introducing a non-native or invasive species to an ecosystem will vary depending on a number of factors.

In some instances, the introduced species may not survive. If there is no ecological niche for the species to fill or the species cannot adapt to fill a different ecological niche, the species will likely go extinct relatively quickly at the local level.

However, if the species is a generalist, or a species able to thrive in a variety of environments and consume many food sources, that species will likely do well. If the ecosystem has reached its stable state, this means that the invasive species will have to replace a native species. No two species can share the same ecological niche, thus one will be better adapted and survive. If the invasive species is better adapted, it will out compete the native species.

If the species reproduces quickly, it is also more likely to thrive in a new ecosystem. If it can reproduce and grow faster than its competitor, it will eventually out compete that species.

Typically, invasive species harm an ecosystem. For example, the Burmese python is found in the US but it isn't supposed to be here. These snakes were likely released by humans and were pets at one time. The environment is suitable for them and they have adapted to the area.

Introducing a new species can also introduce any diseases that species has. These new diseases can spread to other native species and negatively affect them.

Introducing exotic species into new areas will increase competition for food and space. Sometimes, exotic species brings disease along with them. Exotic species in new area do not lead to extinction of native species.

Species area relationship is the relationship between the area and the particular habitat. It is dependent on immigration, extinction and clustering etc. It was first studied by Alexander Von Humbolt.

More than 15,500 species worldwide is facing threat of extinction which includes amphibians, gymnosperms, reptiles, birds and mammals etc.

The on-site or the protection and conservation of species (genetic resources) in their natural habitat (populations of plant or animal species) is called in-situ conservation. Areas such as biosphere reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries are the places were in-situ conservation is done.

The extent to which numbers of different species are equal or skewed well refer to species eveness or relative abundance. Species eveness or relative abundance depends upon availability of natural resources essential for organisms.

A total of 34 hotspots in the world has been identified till date by Norman Myers.

India has about 50,000 type of rice and 1000 types of varieties of mango. This thigh level of diversity indicates very high genetic diversity and one of the largest in the world.

The off-site or the protection and conservation of species (genetic resources) outside their natural habitat (populations of plant or animal species) is known as ex-situ conservation. Areas such as botanical gardens, zoos, Gene banks, Tissue culture banks are the places were ex-situ conservation is done.