Role of Biological Control in Conserving Biodiversity

Dr. S.K.Ghosh Bio-control Research Laboratories ( BCRL), A R&D division of Pest Control India Private Limited (PCI), 36/2 Sriramanahalli, Rajajankunte, Bangalore- 5120013, Karnataka, ghosh.sk@pcil.in

Biodiversity is
....... the variety of life on Earth and the essential interdependence of all living things

Scientists have identified more than 2 million species. Tens of millions remain unknown. The tremendous variety of life on Earth is made possible by complex interactions among all living things including microscopic species like algae and mites.

Diverse community performs better than one (Chapin et al 2002)

Types of diversity
Ecological diversity
different habitats, niches, species interactions

Species diversity
different kinds of organisms, relationships among species

Genetic diversity
different genes & combinations of genes within populations

Benefits of diversity

Loss of biodiversity

Human-induced biodiversity loss are the fragmentation, Degradation or loss of habitats, Overexploitation of natural resources, Pollution of air and water, Introduction of non-native (alien, or exotic) species Climate change-induced biodiversity loss
In Asia agriculture and infrastructure development are predicted to be by far the most influential factors causing biodiversity loss in the coming decades.

Agriculture and Biodiversity

Agriculture is one of the key motors of the global economy

Source of foods, fibres and, increasingly fuel Livelihoods for the largest number of people worldwide vital for rural development and poverty alleviation Agriculture accounts > 38% of global employment

Biodiversity and the ecosystem services are crucial for successful agriculture

Pollination and creation of genetically diverse plant and crop varieties Development of robust, insect or disease-resistant strains. crop protection

Agriculture served to attract and create new strains of biodiversity

Creation of new plant and seed strains, new animal species. Fresh habitats for biodiversity.

Agriculture, biodiversity and ecosystems constitute a finely interwoven mesh of cross-cutting impacts and challenges

Threats

Climate change driving species loss and leading to desertification Growth in the number of alien invasive species is threatening biodiversity and compromising agricultural produce Demands on agriculture and pressure on biodiversity are forcing the two into competition.

Challenges

Balancing agricultural productivity, the needs of ecosystems and biodiversity To ensure to deliver a sustainable agriculture

profitability, environmental protection and social equity.

A Green technology based Agriculture delivering effective production with respect to biodiversity

Pesticide & Biodiversity

........

. a major factor affecting biodiversity, habitat loss and climate change.

Usage of broad spectrum insecticides resulting to

Resistance Resungence of new pests Residual effect to non targets : Killing pollinators , natural enemies, bees, fish, birds,and wlid animals

Bioaccumulaton of chemical compounds disrupt development of reproductive, immune, nervous, and endocrine systems, usually through mimicking and/or interfering with hormones Extensive use of herbicides reduces the abundance of many plants,

Decreases the diversity of the insects and pollinators. Leads to a further decrease in plant diversity

"irreversible ecosystem impacts, which echo up and down the food chain at all trophic levels.

GE- crops and Biodiversity

Herbicide-resistant crops

apply non-specific herbicide to clearing the weeds without killing the crop contain bacterial genes which allow them to produce a bacterial toxin that is lethal to some insect pests

Transgenic crop

Bt corn designed to target the European corn borer, found to be toxic to some butterflies and moths, including the monarch Environmental News Service, 1999).

Crop protection
...Key component in the intensification of agriculture, to provide food security for the ever-increasing human population

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) : utilization of all suitable techniques and methods in a compatible manner as possible and maintain the pest population below ETL.

Bio-Intensive pest management ( BIPM):

Biological control

Macrobials Predatods and parasitoids to kill invertebrate pests Arthopods to consume weeds. Microbials

Entomopathogens : viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa to invertebrate pests Antagonists: Bacteria and fungi to displace plant pathogens

Phytochemicals and plant extracts Volatile chemiclas of plant ( Kairomone) and insect ( pheromone) origin.