Ecosystem Diversity and Grassland Ecosystems | Ch 11,12 | EVS

This guide is designed to review and reinforce key concepts related to ecosystem diversity and the specific characteristics of various grassland ecosystems as discussed in the source materials.

Quiz: Short-Answer Questions

Instructions: Please answer the following questions in two to three sentences each, based on the provided source context.

1. What is the definition of ecosystem diversity, and what does an ecosystem constitute?
2. How does ecosystem diversity enhance the resilience and stability of ecosystems?
3. Identify and briefly describe the four fundamental categories of ecosystem services.
4. What are the primary human-induced threats to ecosystem diversity mentioned in the lectures?
5. Describe the key characteristics and location of Tropical Tall Grasslands in India.
6. What distinguishes Temperate Grasslands in India, and which iconic species inhabit them?
7. Explain the unique features of Alpine Meadows and their importance to the Himalayan region.
8. Where are the Terai grasslands located, and why is this region considered a significant conservation area?
9. What are Shola grasslands, and what is their critical role in the Western Ghats?
10. What threats do Coastal Grasslands face, and what are some iconic species found in these habitats?

Answer Key

1. Ecosystem diversity encapsulates the multitude of ecosystems within a geographic area or across the planet. It is defined by the intricate relationship between living organisms and their physical environment, where an ecosystem constitutes a harmonious balance of these interactions that sustain life and ensure the proper functioning of ecological processes.
2. Ecosystem diversity is pivotal to resilience because diverse ecosystems support a wide variety of species uniquely adapted to specific environmental conditions. This variety makes the ecosystems more robust and stable in the face of environmental changes and disturbances.
3. The four categories are: Provisioning Services (essential resources like food, water, and timber), Regulating Services (climate regulation, water purification), Cultural Services (recreation, tourism, spiritual connection), and Supporting Services (foundational processes like nutrient cycling and soil formation).
4. The primary human-induced threats are habitat destruction and fragmentation from deforestation and urbanization, global climate change driven by burning fossil fuels, the introduction of invasive species, and pollution from industrial and agricultural runoff.
5. Tropical Tall Grasslands are primarily located in India's eastern regions, such as Assam and West Bengal. They are characterized by lush vegetation, including elephant grass that can exceed 10 feet, due to high rainfall, and they support herbivores like deer and rhinoceros.
6. Temperate Grasslands are predominantly found in the cooler northern and northwestern regions of India, including parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. They feature grasses like feather grass and are home to iconic species such as the Himalayan marmot and the Tibetan wild ass.
7. Alpine Meadows are situated in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas (above 3500 meters) and feature short grasses and Alpine herbs adapted to extreme climates. They are crucial for biodiversity, housing species like the snow leopard and Himalayan tahr, and play a vital role in regulating water flow to downstream regions.
8. The Terai grasslands are a transitional zone at the foothills of the Himalayas, spanning parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Nepal. The region forms the Terai Ark Landscape, a significant conservation area renowned for its Bengal tiger and Indian rhinoceros populations.
9. Shola grasslands are unique ecosystems found in the Western Ghats mountain range, characterized by mountain grasslands interspersed with stunted evergreen forests. They are critical for biodiversity, providing habitat for endemic species like the Nilgiri tahr, and play a crucial role in maintaining water sources and preventing soil erosion.
10. Coastal Grasslands face significant threats from human activities such as urbanization and aquaculture. These ecosystems are vital habitats for iconic species like the Indian skimmer in the Sundarbans and the critically endangered Jerdon's Courser in the Western Ghats.

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Essay Questions

Instructions: Consider the following prompts for longer, essay-style responses. Develop a thesis and support it with detailed evidence from the source materials.

1. Discuss the multifaceted relationship between ecosystem diversity and human well-being, incorporating the concepts of ecological services, cultural significance, and aesthetic value.
2. Analyze the primary factors that shape ecosystem diversity, providing specific examples of how climate, soil composition, disturbance regimes, and evolutionary processes contribute to the formation of distinct ecosystems.
3. Compare and contrast two distinct Indian grassland ecosystems (e.g., Tropical Short Grasslands and Alpine Meadows), focusing on their geographical location, climate, characteristic flora, and iconic wildlife.
4. Elaborate on the comprehensive, multifaceted approach required for the conservation of ecosystem diversity, detailing at least four key strategies and explaining their importance.
5. Examine the common threats that challenge the integrity of India's various grassland ecosystems, using specific examples from at least three different grassland types discussed in the lecture.

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Glossary

Term	Definition
Alpine Meadows	High-altitude ecosystems in the Himalayas (typically above 3500 meters) featuring short grasses, Alpine herbs, and scattered shrubs adapted to extreme climate conditions. They are home to species like the snow leopard and Himalayan tahr.
Biodiversity	The intricate tapestry of life, of which ecosystem diversity is a pivotal dimension. It is linked to the variety of species adapted to specific environmental conditions.
Coastal Grasslands	Ecosystems found along extensive coastlines, such as the Western Ghats and Sundarbans, that thrive in saline environments and consist of salt-tolerant species.
Cultural Services	A category of ecosystem services that offers opportunities for recreation, tourism, spiritual connection, and the preservation of cultural identity.
Disturbance Regimes	Natural events (like wildfires, floods) or human activities (like logging, agriculture) that contribute significantly to ecosystem diversity, with some ecosystems adapted to frequent disturbances and others thriving in stable conditions.
Ecosystem Diversity	The multitude of unique environments and ecosystems within a given geographic area or across the entire planet, defined by the intricate relationship between living organisms and their physical environment.
Habitat Restoration	Initiatives that play a pivotal role in reversing the impacts of habitat destruction and fragmentation, involving activities such as reforestation, wetland restoration, and the removal of invasive species.
Invasive Species	A significant challenge to ecosystem diversity, these are species introduced to new environments that can outcompete native flora and fauna, introduce diseases, and disrupt established ecological relationships.
Provisioning Services	A category of ecosystem services that delivers essential resources such as food, water, timber, fuel, fiber, and genetic materials crucial for medicine and agriculture.
Regulating Services	A category of ecosystem services that contribute to the balance of the environment, encompassing climate regulation, water purification, flood control, and erosion prevention.
Savannas	Another term for Tropical Short Grasslands found in the central and western regions of India, characterized by shorter grasses interspersed with scattered shrubs, adapted to drier conditions with distinct wet and dry periods.
Shola Grasslands	Unique ecosystems in the Western Ghats mountain range characterized by mountain grasslands interspersed with Shola forests (stunted evergreen forests). They are critical for biodiversity and watershed management.
Supporting Services	A category of ecosystem services that forms the foundational framework for all others, playing a pivotal role in nutrient cycling and soil formation.
Sustainable Resource Management	Practices in forestry, fisheries, and agriculture essential for aligning human activities with the regenerative capacity of ecosystems to prevent over-exploitation.
Temperate Grasslands	Grasslands predominantly found in the cooler northern and northwestern regions of India, adapted to cooler temperatures and showcasing unique biodiversity, including species like the Himalayan marmot.
Terai Ark Landscape	A significant conservation area spanning the Terai grasslands at the foothills of the Himalayas in India and Nepal, renowned for its tiger and rhinoceros populations.
Terai Grasslands	A crucial transitional zone at the foothills of the Himalayas, characterized by alluvial soil, tall grasses, and diverse wetlands.
Tropical Short Grasslands	Also referred to as savannas, these grasslands thrive in the central and western regions of India, featuring shorter grasses and scattered shrubs adapted to drier, seasonal climates.
Tropical Tall Grasslands	Grasslands located in India's eastern regions, characterized by lush vegetation and tall grasses (e.g., elephant grass) that can exceed 10 feet due to high rainfall.