6 Ecology and Environmental Biology
6.4 Biosphere and man
Biosphere and Man
Dr V Malathi
All life on Earth and the conditions in which it exists are collectively referred to as the biosphere. It encompasses water (aquatic ecosystems), land (terrestrial ecosystems), and even the atmosphere, up to the point where life is possible. The constant cycling of materials and energy within the biosphere enables organisms to endure and adjust to shifting environmental conditions.
Biosphere and Man
Humans are an integral part of the biosphere and interact with it in numerous ways like:
- Dependence on Ecosystem Services:The biosphere provides vital ecosystem services that sustain life and human well-being, including:
- Food, water, fuel, fiber, and medical supplies are examples of provisioning services.
- Services that are regulated include garbage decomposition, illness prevention, flood control, and climate regulation.
- Cultural services include spirituality, education, and recreation.
- Photosynthesis, nitrogen cycling, and soil formation are examples of supporting services.
- Impact of Human Activities:
- Deforestation: Forests are cut down for logging, agriculture, and urban growth, which disrupts the carbon and water cycles, reduces biodiversity, and destroys habitat.
- Pollution: Air pollutants, plastic pollution, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff threaten species and ecosystems.
- Global warming, altered weather patterns, and rising sea levels are all results of human actions like burning fossil fuels and deforestation, which raise greenhouse gas emissions.
- Overexploitation: Excessive hunting, fishing, and resource extraction endanger ecosystem stability and diminish biodiversity.
- Conservation and Sustainability Efforts: Global initiatives for environmental protection, sustainable development, and conservation are being made to offset these effects. These consist of:
- Protected areas: Marine reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks that are protected to preserve biodiversity.
- Sustainable practices :sustainable methods for preserving ecological balance in forestry, fishery, and agriculture.
- Renewable energy : Hydroelectric, wind, and solar energy are examples of renewable energy sources that can help lessen reliance on fossil fuels.
- Awareness and Education programs :initiatives for raising awareness and educating people to promote environmentally conscious behavior.
Ethical and Moral Responsibility:
Humans have a moral obligation to preserve the ecosystem for coming generations as we are the only species with substantial environmental control. Increasing biodiversity, lessening ecological footprints, and pursuing environmental justice are all part of this.
In conclusion, humans have the ability to greatly influence the biosphere, which is both a system and a provider. Maintaining the biosphere’s viability for all living forms, including humans, requires striking a balance between development and conservation.
Biosphere reserves are nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located. Their status is internationally recognized. Their functions are reviewed every 10 years under the periodic review process. – UNESCO
Browse the Interactive map of Bio reserves across the world by UNESCO.
There are 18 biosphere reserves in India. Below are the twelve of the eighteen biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves details, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.-Wikipedia