COIMBATORE: Insects and plants are becoming extinct because of habitat loss, pollution, over population and threat of climate change. The effects of climate change and habitat destruction are likely to the worst challenges to animal and plant conservation in the 21 {+s} {+t} century, P. Thirumalvalavan, Registrar, Bharathiar University, said here recently.

Inaugurating a conference on Impact of Climate Change on Bio-diversity of Insects and Environment at the university, he said the world was facing its greatest ever bio-diversity of insects. Climate change is having a significant impact on hundreds of plant and animal species across the world and also on the ecosystem, the Registrar said.

N. Krishnakumar, Director, Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, said organic biodiversity and integrated pest management were the only ways for fighting against pests and diseases in the face of climate change. Entomologists, ecologists and environmentalists should work for finding solutions, he added.

Referring to faunal and insect biodiversity, he said many more species of inspects had bio-pesticide and organic formulations. They play an important role in influencing the abiotic, biotic, and forest configuration. Hence, a strong knowledge base in required to understand about insects and their habitats, he added.

There is a need for forest health monitoring, eco-system monitoring and bench marking the threats to the forest ecosystem. Students of zoology, biology, and botany, have a great role to play in understanding the threats. They should be able to monitor such factors intensively, Mr. Krishnakumar said.

He called for an annual census of life forms within the forest. Anne Walter, Department of Biology, St. Olaf College, Minnesota, the U.S., released some newly-developed bio-pesticides.

Courtesy - Hindu