Green Hydrogen Definition in India
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has opted to
characterize Green Hydrogen as possessing a well-to-gate emission, encompassing
stages such as water treatment, electrolysis, gas purification, drying, and
hydrogen compression, with a limit of up to 2 kg CO2 equivalent per
kg of H2.
Microbes Biotic resources
Microbes, also known as microorganisms, are
essential biotic resources that play significant roles in various aspects of
life on Earth. Despite their small size, microbes have a major impact on
ecosystems, human health, biotechnology, and other fields. Here are some key
ways in which microbes are valuable biotic resources:
Biological Recycling:
Microbes are crucial for breaking down organic matter in the environment
through processes like decomposition. They recycle nutrients, such as carbon,
nitrogen, and phosphorus, making them available for plants and other organisms.
This recycling process is essential for the sustainability of ecosystems.
Soil Health:
Microbes are a vital component of healthy soil. They participate in nutrient
cycling, improve soil structure, and help control disease-causing organisms.
Many agricultural practices, such as composting and crop rotation, leverage the
beneficial activities of microbes to enhance soil fertility.
Bioremediation:
Microbes have the ability to degrade and detoxify pollutants in the
environment. Bioremediation, a process that uses microbes to break down
hazardous substances, is used to clean up contaminated soils and water bodies.
This technology helps mitigate the impact of pollution.
Symbiotic Relationships:
Microbes form symbiotic relationships with many plants and animals. For
example, nitrogen-fixing bacteria form associations with leguminous plants,
providing them with a vital nutrient (nitrogen). These relationships enhance
the health and growth of the host organisms.
Fermentation:
Microbes are used in various fermentation processes, such as the production of
food and beverages (e.g., yogurt, cheese, beer, wine), as well as the creation
of biofuels and pharmaceuticals. These processes have economic importance and
cultural significance.
Biotechnology:
Microbes serve as valuable tools in biotechnology. Genetic engineering and
synthetic biology often involve the manipulation of microbial genomes to
produce useful products, such as enzymes, antibiotics, and bio-based materials.
Ecological Balance:
Microbes play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. They are part
of the microbial food web, serving as food for larger organisms. They also
influence the health of plants, animals, and other microbes, contributing to
the overall stability of ecosystems.
Scientific Research:
Microbes serve as model organisms in scientific research, allowing scientists
to study fundamental biological processes. Their simple yet diverse genetics make
them valuable for understanding genetics, evolution, and molecular biology.
It's important to recognize the value of
microbes as biotic resources and to consider their conservation and sustainable
use. Protecting microbial diversity and
understanding their ecological roles can have far-reaching implications for
environmental health, human well-being, and technological innovation.
Wetland Biotic resources
Wetlands
are valuable natural resources that play a crucial role in the environment.
They are transitional zones between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems,
characterized by the presence of water, waterlogged soil, and unique plant and
animal species adapted to these conditions. Wetlands provide a wide range of
ecological, economic, and social benefits, making them essential resources for
various reasons:
Biodiversity: Wetlands are rich in
biodiversity, supporting a diverse array of plant and animal species. They
serve as breeding, feeding, and nesting grounds for many aquatic and
terrestrial species. Protecting wetlands helps preserve the biodiversity of
these ecosystems.
Water Quality: Wetlands act as natural
filters, removing pollutants and excess nutrients from water. They help improve
water quality by trapping sediment, absorbing nutrients, and breaking down
harmful substances, which is essential for maintaining healthy aquatic
ecosystems and providing clean drinking water.
Flood Regulation: Wetlands function as natural
buffers against flooding. They can absorb excess water during heavy rainfall,
reducing the risk of downstream flooding. Wetlands act like sponges, storing
water and slowly releasing it, which helps in flood control and reduces damage to
infrastructure.
Climate Regulation: Wetlands play a role in climate
regulation by sequestering carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) from the
atmosphere. They store carbon in their soils, which can help mitigate the
effects of climate change.
Recreation and
Tourism:
Wetlands offer opportunities for recreational activities such as bird watching,
fishing, boating, and hiking. They are also popular tourist destinations,
attracting visitors interested in experiencing the beauty and tranquillity of
these unique ecosystems.
Economic Value: Wetlands provide essential
resources for local economies. They support fisheries, agriculture, and
forestry, and they also contribute to the tourism industry. The resources and
services provided by wetlands have economic value that should be considered when
making land use decisions.
Habitat and Nursery
Areas: Many
species of fish, birds, and other wildlife rely on wetlands for breeding and as
nursery areas for their young. Protecting wetlands is essential for maintaining
healthy populations of these species.
Cultural and
Indigenous Values:
Wetlands hold cultural significance for many Indigenous communities around the
world. They are often considered sacred and are integral to traditional
practices and beliefs.
Given
these crucial roles, it is essential to conserve and manage wetland resources
sustainably to ensure their continued benefits for current and future
generations. This includes proper land use planning, regulation of development
near wetlands, and restoration efforts for degraded wetland ecosystems.
Ø
Wetland
day celebrated on 2nd Feb.
Ø
Presently,
there are around 2400 Ramsar sites in the world. In India, In India, there are
75 Ramsar Sites as of Feburary 2023. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management)
Rules, 2017, set forth regulations for wetlands.
Ø
Theme
of wetland 2023 “ the wetland restoration”.
Ø
It
is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the convention was signed in
1971 and came into force 1975. The Ramsar convention came into force in India
on 1 February 1982.
Grassland Biotic resources
A
grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses (Poaceae).
However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) can also be found along with
variable proportions of legumes, like clover, and other herbs. Grasslands occur
naturally on all continents except Antarctica and are found in most ecoregions
of the Earth. Furthermore, grasslands are one of the largest biomes on earth
and dominate the landscape worldwide. There are different types of grasslands:
natural grasslands, semi-natural grasslands, and agricultural grasslands. They
cover 31–69% of the Earth's land area.
The
health and well-being of human populations depend on the services provided by
ecosystems and their components: the organisms, soil, water, and nutrients.
Ecosystem Services are the process by which the environment produces resources
such as clean water, forage, and range; habitat for wildlife; and pollination
of native and agricultural plants.
National
Grassland Ecosystems provide services that:
Ø Disperse seeds
Ø Mitigate drought and floods
Ø Cycle and move nutrients
Ø Detoxify and decompose waste
Ø Control agricultural pests
Ø Maintain biodiversity
Ø Generate and preserve soils and renew their
fertility
Ø Contribute to climate stability
Ø Regulate disease-carrying organisms
Ø Protect soil from erosion
Ø Protect watersheds, and stream and river channels
Ø Pollinate crops and natural vegetation
Ø Provide aesthetic beauty
Ø Provide wildlife habitat
Ø Provide wetlands, playas
Ø Provide recreation
Ø Provide research opportunities
Ø Grasslands hold about 20 percent of global soil
carbon stocks
Natural
ecosystems and the plants and animals within them provide humans with services
that would be very difficult to duplicate. For example, pollination is a
service for which there is no technological substitute. Grasslands provide
habitat for thousands of species of pollinators. While it is often impossible
to place an accurate monetary amount on ecosystem services, we can calculate
some of the financial values. Many of these services are seemingly performed
“free” and yet are worth many trillions of dollars. Over 100,000 different
animal species - including bats, bees, flies, moths, beetles, birds, and
butterflies - provide free pollination services. One third of human food comes
from plants pollinated by wild pollinators.
Most
scientists believe there is a direct relationship between increased levels of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and rising global temperatures. Through the
process of photosynthesis, plants capture carbon dioxide and remove it from the
atmosphere. Because the National Grasslands contain large areas of intact
prairie and other grassland types, they provide the ecosystem service of carbon
sequestration in grassland vegetation and soil organic matter. Grassland
ecosystem services help sustain, support, and fulfill human life. These
services can be tangible or intangible, but they are nevertheless critical for
sustaining human well-being.
In
India 12 categories of grass land:
B
Banni
Grasslands Reserve
Bugyals
C
Chari-Dhand
Wetland Conservation Reserve
G
Great
Rann of Kutch
K
Khajjiar
Kutch
Desert Wildlife Sanctuary
L
Langmarg
Little
Rann of Kutch
N
Northwestern
Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows
P
Palani
Hills
T
Terai
Terai–Duar
savanna and grasslands
Banni Grasslands Reserve or Banni grasslands form a belt of arid grassland ecosystem on the outer southern edge of the desert of the marshy salt flats of Rann of Kutch in Kutch District, Gujarat State, India. They are known for rich wildlife and biodiversity and are spread across an area of 3,847 square kilometres.
