Biodiversity and Conservation NEET Notes, Download PDF

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, which is expected to be conducted by the National Testing Agency in May 2026, will test students for their knowledge and skills in various subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. All the aspirants of this exam are required to study and prepare all the topics mentioned in the NEET Syllabus 2026. One of the crucial study material that help students prepare for the exam are the NEET Notes; therefore, in this article, we have shared the NEET Notes for the Chapter Biodiversity and Conservation. Scroll down in the article to access the PDF and start preparing for the exam.

Biodiversity and Conservation

Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, encompassing all species, their genetic variation, and the ecosystems they inhabit. Conservation is the practice of protecting this diversity to ensure the sustainable use of resources, the health of ecosystems, and the continuation of life support systems for future generations. Conservation efforts include preserving habitats, managing resources sustainably, restoring endangered species, and establishing protected areas like biodiversity hotspots and gene sanctuaries.

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the variety of all life on Earth, from the smallest bacteria to the largest animals, and includes the diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems. It encompasses the incredible range of plants, animals, and microorganisms, the genetic variations within them, and the complex ecosystems they inhabit, such as forests, oceans, and deserts.

Types of Biodiversity:

  • Genetic Diversity:
    • Variation in genes within a species.
    • Example: Different varieties of rice (Oryza sativa) or mango (Mangifera indica).
  • Species Diversity:
    • Variety of species within a habitat or region.
    • Example: A rainforest has more species diversity than a desert.
  • Ecological Diversity:
    • Variation in ecosystems, habitats, and ecological processes.
    • Example: Forests, deserts, wetlands, and coral reefs.

Patterns of Biodiversity

  1. Latitudinal Gradients:

    • Biodiversity decreases as we move from the equator to the poles.

    • Example: Tropical regions have more species than temperate regions.

  2. Species-Area Relationship (Alexander von Humboldt):

  • Number of species increases with increasing area.
  • Expressed as S = C Aᶻ, where:
    • S = Number of species
    • A = Area
    • C and z = Constants

Importance of Biodiversity

  • Provides ecological stability and resilience.
  • Acts as a source of food, medicine, and raw materials.
  • Maintains ecosystem productivity and nutrient cycling.
  • Offers aesthetic and cultural values.
  • Supports economic growth through ecotourism and sustainable use.

Loss of Biodiversity

Main Causes:

  • Habitat loss and fragmentation: Due to deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture.
  • Overexploitation: Overuse of species for food, medicine, or trade.
  • Alien species invasion: Non-native species disrupt native ecosystems.
  • Pollution: Chemical pollutants degrade habitats.
  • Climate change: Alters habitats and leads to species extinction.

Conservation of Biodiversity

1. In-situ Conservation (On-site Conservation):

  • Protects species in their natural habitats.
  • Methods include:
    • Biosphere Reserves
    • National Parks
    • Wildlife Sanctuaries
    • Sacred Groves

2. Ex-situ Conservation (Off-site Conservation):

  • Protects species outside their natural habitats.
  • Methods include:
    • Botanical Gardens
    • Zoological Parks
    • Seed Banks and Gene Banks
    • Cryopreservation

Protected Areas in India

  • Biosphere Reserves: 18 (e.g., Nilgiri, Sundarbans)
  • National Parks: 100+ (e.g., Kaziranga, Jim Corbett)
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries: 550+ (e.g., Bharatpur, Chilika)

Red Data Book & IUCN Categories

Red Data Book: A record of endangered and threatened species.
IUCN Classification:

  • Extinct (EX)
  • Endangered (EN)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Rare (R)
  • Near Threatened (NT)
  • Least Concern (LC)

Important Global Conservation Efforts

  • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) – 1992, Rio Earth Summit.
  • CITES – Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
  • WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) – Works on wildlife conservation globally.
  • UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB).

Importance of Biodiversity and Conservation NEET Notes

Studying and preparing using the Biodiversity and Conservation NEET Notes will help aspirants in multiple ways, some of them are detailed below:

  • Conceptual Clarity: Helps students understand ecological balance and interdependence among organisms.
  • Scoring Topic: Direct MCQs frequently appear from biodiversity patterns, conservation methods, and IUCN categories.
  • Exam Revision: Concise notes allow quick last-minute revisions before NEET.
  • Link with Real World: Encourages awareness about global environmental issues and sustainability.
  • Foundation for Higher Studies: Useful for further studies in environmental science and zoology.
  • Enhances Analytical Skills: Helps relate human activities with ecosystem changes.
  • Supports Value-based Learning: Promotes ethical responsibility toward nature and wildlife conservation.
  • Memory Booster: Summarized data (like species-area relationship, biodiversity hotspots) aids better recall during exams.

Biodiversity and Conservation NEET Notes PDF Download

For all the aspirants who are studying the Biodiversity and Conservation chapter from the NEET Biology Syllabus 2026, the expert faculty members at Adda247 have crafted specially designed NEET Notes that not only guide them with the necessary syllabus but also help them prepare effectively for the exam. Ahead, we have attached the direct link connecting to the Biodiversity and Conservation NEET Notes PDF.

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