A blog by Dr. N. Anandakumar, Assistant Professor, Jairam College of Education, Karur-Dt.
Monday, 8 October 2018
Saturday, 21 July 2018
Tuesday, 8 May 2018
A special talk on "Life Lives On The Edge - The Biodiversity" at St. Mary's Higher Secondary School, Dindigul-Dt. (04.05.2018).
‘Values of
biodiversity’ are classified as
three main types. 1. Resources 2. Potential resources 3. Contributory factors. For
example, the biological materials are consumed in markets which are valued for
their recreational or aesthetic purposes. It is called as Resources category. Whereas,
an opportunities for the discovery of new product is called as Potential
resources. In last part, the functional role in ecosystem like ‘Niche’ is
called as Contributory factors.
References:
Wood, P.M. (1997).
Biodiversity as the source of biological resources: a new look at biodiversity
values. Environmental Values, 6, 251-268.
Thursday, 12 April 2018
A special speech on "Biodiversity in Education for Sustainable Development" at Lakshmi College of Education, Gandhigram, Dindigul-Dt. (26.03.2018).
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| Photo of lecture session. |
"Biocenosis"
means
different species like plants, animals, microbes and human beings interact to
form a beautiful community or eco-system. This interaction between living organisms
in the eco-system called as biotic factors. Species also dependent upon abiotic
factors. The main function is flow of energy from one trophic level to another
level transferred. From this concept, ecosystem sustain the structure like
functional unit.
Monday, 9 April 2018
A special lecture on "Biodiversity-An Exploration of Life" at RVS College of Education, Dindigul-Dt. (13.03.2018).
I have stressed the importance of Marine Biodiversity, particularly "Microbial community of intertidal zone" in Rameshewaram area, Ramanathapuram Dt. It is a very harsh living environment. They are constantly facing challenges such as salinity, wind, sunlight, predators and strong water currents. It helps with these difficulties many organisms have “special adaptation” features.
A special lecture on "Biodiversity-An Exploration of the Diversity" at M. Kumarasamy College of Education, Karur-Dt. (10.03.2018).
An endangered species is a native species that faces a significant risk of extinction. Such species may be declining in number due to threats such as habitat destruction, climate change and pressure from invasive species. The flora of India is one of the richest in the world due to the country's wide range of climate, topology, and environment. There are over 15,000 species of flowering plants in India which account for 6% of all plant species in the world. Many plant species are being destroyed. Roughly 1/4 of all plant species in the world are at risk of being endangered or going extinct. The combination of global warming and habitat destruction are the sole reason for the disappearance of many plants. The following plants are very threatened in Tamilnadu: Acacia planifrons (Umbrella tree), Abutilon indicum, (Indian mallow), Chlorophytum tuberosum, (Musli) and Chlorophytum malabaricum (Malabar lily).
A special lecture on "Earth's Health is in Our Hands" at Kaliammal College of Education, Karur-Dt. (05.03.2018).
“Keystone
Species” are keep the ecosystem in balance. If suppose loss
one such species in the eco-system, entirely collapse the total eco-system and
further extended to the near eco-system. Keystone species maintain long-term
sustainability. Take for example humming birds. It is vital in the pollination
processes. Another good example is Grey
wolf. Hence, the present movement is preservation and restoration of keystone
species is very essential. Recently, Uma Ramakrishnan, National Centre for
Biological Science, Bangalore has pointed out, Pikas are keystone species.
Pikas mostly habitat in Himalayan ecosystem. And Black Clam is another keystone
species. Black Clam is highly available in Vembanad Lake. Such species
indirectly help to the fisheries field. Now, black clam is declined by human
activities in the form commercial business. In terrestrial ecosystem, number of
animals act as keystone species. Such as butterfly, earthworm, bees, birds and
ants etc. Sometime, buffaloes dung are useful to disseminate the rare seeds.
Hence, we aware about the Keystone Species for future generation.
A special lecture on "Bio-diversity as a goal of Environmental Education" at Karur Velalar College of Arts and Science for Women. Karur-Dt. (16.02.2018).
“Species diversity” means the whole of diversity life. It includes human-beings, animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, protozoa and viruses. Very rare and endemic species diversity has only found in the specific geographical region. The best example is Australia Kangaroo species. In the biosphere such kind of species not observed in any other parts world. And another best example is radiated tortoise groups found only in the Madagascar islands. Unicellular organisms are invisible to naked eye. Such as bacteria, archaea and protists. Cyano-bacteria is photosynthetic oxyntic groups. It is subclass of bacteria. It has found throughout the world. It is a ubiquitous nature. In archaea is very unfamiliar groups. It has found in hydrothermal springs of ocean. They do not have chlorophyll. From this lecture, I have motivated the students to know the taxonomical system of animals, plants and microbes.
A special talk on "Biodiversity Conservation" at Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Palani Road, Dindigul-Dt. (12.02.2018).
“Bird
Biodiversity” in Tamilnadu is under the threatened condition said
by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) Mumbai. They announced that near 18
species are endangered. They were identified from the Important Bird and
Biodiversity Areas (IBAs). They notified that habitat destruction, agricultural
intensification, industrialization and urbanization factors. These are the main
causes for biodiversity loss. They also pointed out few of vulture groups such
as White Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Red-headed Vulture and Spoon- billed
sandpiper are critically endangered. Spoon-billed sandpiper is not confirmed in
Tamilnadu areas. Cheyyur lagoon, Kanchipuram District is now recognized by
Wildlife Society of India. This wetland has supported by near 80 variety of
birds. But this wetland is problem in nature, because near to the Thermal
Plant. Another one place Megamalai near to the Theni District has recognized.
Bird Life International (BLI) has framed certain essential criteria for IBAs.
They are 1. Endangered species 2. Endemic nature 3. Biome 4. Near 20.000 water
birds. In this juncture, I have sponsored the environmental related books to
the students of XI and IX STD. They won the contest regarding environmental
questions. Peter Sir, has assisted the all activities for this programme and
other faculty members were participated.
Sunday, 8 April 2018
A special Seminar on "Introduction to Environmental Education and Biodiversity" at Indra Ganesan College of Education. Tiruchirappalli-Dt. (09.02.2018).
“Biodiversity
in Education” is one of the new discipline come under the branch
of conservation biology subject. There are many animals and plants currently
under threats of human activities as indicated by IUCN Red List recently. In
that list, coral reefs are included. Corals are a group of living creatures
whose extinction rates are rising in every movement. Paramo is one of the
beautiful tundra ecosystem in the World. Now, consider as sacred groves. And
another kind of beautiful sacred grave is Monkey forest sanctuary in Indonesia.
These are more valuable plants and animals occupied in that place. In marine
ecosystem, number of living creatures are wondered. Example Leafy sea dragon is
one of the beautiful deep sea animal. It creatures is just like leaf structure.
Earth’s 70% surface covers ocean. This ocean have natural carbon. So it is
called as Blue planet. Further, I have emphasized the importance of pedagogical
techniques for biodiversity and environmental education. Here, infusion
model and interdisciplinary model are recommended but domain selection is very
important. Level one is an ecological foundations, level two is the conceptual
awareness on biodiversity issues and values, level third is an investigation
and evaluation processes and fourth level is action skills requires for training.
Source: (Peyton Ben, et.al. 1995).
A special lecture on "Our Valuable Heritage-The Biodiversity" at Muthayammal College of Education, Rasipuram. Salem-Dt.(31.01.2018).
“Coral reefs”
are
formed by calcium carbonate materials which is secreted by corals. Corals also
called as rain forest of the sea. It is very good shelter for many kinds of other
marine organisms. Due to climate changes and man-made activities, it becomes
under the endangered list. Dr. Venkataraman, Director, Zoological Survey of
India said that Snowflake corals (Soft Corals) posing serious threat to the
coral reef colonies of Gulf of Mannar and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. IUCN
also pointed out, it is life supporting system and it protects from sea
erosion. This invasive species of soft corals high fecundity and it may grows
20-30 meters length. Such kind of corals called as Bio-invasion species.
Translocation by ship is a major problem. We have limited facility for this
bio-invasion species. Hence, we shall need an awareness for such kind of
bio-invasion species. In general, coral reefs give a place for other rare and
endangered species.
Friday, 6 April 2018
A special lecture on "Biodiversity as a Goal of Environmental Education" at Arasu College of Education for Women, Karur-Dt. (27.01.2018).
“Natural
environment” is also called as Habitat. Nowadays, habitat destruction
is one of the major issue in our biodiversity loss. It includes, abiotic and
biotic factors. Both factors interact to form an ecological succession. Due to
the present modernization, man occupied most of the habitats of living organism.
It extents their own niche. Best an example is man occupied in elephant
habitat. Hence, mitigating the issues between the man and animal is very
essential one. And further, I have given the importance of ecotourism. It is
emerging as a popular approach to protect natural areas throughout the world.
It focuses on local cultures, wilderness adventures, volunteering, personal
growth and learning new ways to live. It is typically defined as travel to
destinations where the flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary
attractions. Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the adverse
effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment and enhance the
cultural integrity of local people (Ceballos-Lascurain, 1996). We will be
encouraging this concept to our people.
Reference:
Ceballos-Lascurain,
Hector., (1996). Tourism, Ecotourism and
Protected Areas: The state of Nature-based tourism around the World and
guidelines for its development. World Conservation Union, Switzerland.
Thursday, 5 April 2018
A special lecture on "Biodiversity Conservation Strategies" at Kongu College of Arts and Science, Karur-Dt. (21.08.2017).
“Conservation
strategies” are four main groups for Biodiversity Wealth. First
is maintain landscapes and remove threats from the particular areas in any
ecosystem or biomes. Second is reinstating the critical eco-system or
particular community. Best example is pollination processes. Third is recover
of threatened species from the particular eco-system or from the wildlife
eco-system. Fourth is controlling threatened species like adapting the new climate
changes. These four strategies are recommended by foreign people. Whereas, in
India, so different. Here, there are two types of strategies are followed. One
is in-situ conservation. Here, Protected Areas (PA) is superior one. It have
many sub-units like National Parks, Sanctuaries and Biosphere Reserves. In
another part, ex-situ conservation. Here, Sacred Groves, Seen Bank,
Cryopreservation, Zoo and Botanical gardens. From this special lecture, I have
stressed the importance of conservation techniques and an individual’s
responsibility is also a vital role for conservation process.
A special talk on "Biodiversity Conservation" at Govt. Hr.Sec. School, Velliyanai, Karur-Dt. (10.08.2017)
“Beneficial of Microbial
Diversity” has
explained by me at Govt. Boys Higher Secondary School, Velliyanai, Karur-Dt.
Here, I have pointed out the importance of microbial communities such as
protozoan groups, flagellates, radiolarians, hypotrichs and other larval forms.
In this function, students are highly motivated to ask the questions related to
the microbial communities. Protozoans are single celled organism. In our ocean
they are number of variety of organisms are available. Few of protozoans were
identified by National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa, India. I have said
that around 107 species of protozoan groups were identified by me in the Gulf
of Mannar, India. This is the first report from Rameshewaram areas, Tamilnadu,
India, after the B.L Bhatia (1936) manual. From this speech, I have concluded
that the importance and beneficial of microbes are available from our Gulf of
Mannar areas, India. Such kinds may be very useful to medicinal values and
essential for microbial loop system of ocean.
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