Conservation of Plants and Animals
Exercise:
1). Fill in the blanks.
(a) A place where animals are protected in their natural habitat is called wild life sanctuary.
(b) Species found only in a particular area is known as Endemic species.
(c) Migratory birds fly to far away places because of climate changes.
2). Differentiate between the following.
(a) Wildlife sanctuary and biosphere reserve
Wildlife sanctuary: Wildlife sanctuaries are the places to provide protection and suitable living conditions to wild animals. Here poaching or catching the animals is prohibited.
Biosphere reserve: Biosphere reserves are the areas meant for conservation of biodiversity. A biosphere reserve may also contain other protected areas in it.
(b) Zoo and wildlife sanctuary
| Zoo | Wildlife sancturary |
| 1. Zoos are places where some animals are protected under artificial habitat. | 1. Wildlife sancturaries are areas where animals are protected from any disturbance to them and their habitat. |
| 2. It is man made. | 2. It protects animal’s natural habitat. |
(c) Endangered and extinct species
| Endangered species | Extinct species |
| 1. Animals whose numbers are diminished to a level that they might face extinction are known as the endangered animals. | 1. The species which exist no more on the earth are called extinct species. |
| 2. eg. blue whale | 2. eg. dodo |
(d) Flora and fauna
| Flora | Fauna |
| 1. The plants found in a particular area are termed flora. | 1. The animals found in a particular area are termed fauna. |
| 2. Sal, teak, mango, jamun are included in the flora of pachmarhi biosphere reserve. | 2. Chinkara, leopard, wild dog are included in the fauna of pachmarhi biosphere reserve. |
3). Discuss the effects of deforestation on the following.
(a) Wild animals
(b) Environment
(c) Villages (Rural areas)
(d) Cities (Urban areas)
(e) Earth
(f) The next generation
Answer:
(a) Wild animals
Deforestation destroys the natural habitat of the animals. Major threat to survival of the wild animals is deforestation.
(b) Environment
Deforestation increases the temperature and pollution level on the earth. It increases the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Groundwater level also gets lowered.
(c) Villages (Rural areas)
Due to deforestation different wild animals run to the nearby villages and cause danger to them. Rainfall decrease and villagers do not get fruits, vegetables, wood etc.
(d) Cities (Urban areas)
Deforestation directly may not affect the cities but it changes the climatic conditions of the cities. Population of cities increase due to the migration of villagers.
(e) Earth
Deforestation affects the earth. The temperature rises, rainfall decreases, the fertile land gets converted into deserts. The groundwater level also decreases.
(f) The next generation
Flora and fauna gets destroyed because of deforestation. So next generations will not able to see them. They will not get healthy climatic conditions.
4). What will happen if.
(a) we go on cutting trees.
(b) the habitat of an animal is disturbed.
(c) the top layer of soil is exposed.
Answer:
(a) we go on cutting trees.
If we go on cutting trees the ecological balance gets disturbed. Fertile soil gets converted into barren land. Soil erosion takes place.
(b) the habitat of an animal is disturbed.
If the habitat of an animals is disturbed then they becomes endangered. They become unprotected.
(c) the top layer of soil is exposed.
The fertile land becomes infertile and gets converted into desert.
5). Answer in brief.
(a) Why should we conserve biodiversity?
Ans: We should conserve biodiversity to save it from extinction.
(b) Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals. Why?
Ans: Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals because poaching takes place on a large scale.
(c) Some tribals depend on the jungle. How?
Ans:Tribals depend on the jungle for food, shelter, clothes, firewood etc.
(d) What are the causes and consequences of deforestation?
Causes: industrialization, urbanisation, population explosion.
Consequences: desertification, natural calamities like floods and droughts.
(e) What is Red Data Book?
Ans: Red Data Book is the source book which keeps a record of all the endangered animals and plants. It is maintained internationally by an organisation.
(f) What do you understand by the term migration?
Ans: The periodic movement of a species of birds from their native place to other places due to climatic changes is called migration.
6). In order to meet the ever-increasing demand in factories and for shelter, trees are being continually cut. Is it justified to cut trees for such projects? Discuss and prepare a brief report.
Ans: No, cutting of the trees for increasing demand in factories and for shelter is not justified at all. By doing so we are taking away shelter of many animals and birds and endangering their life. The ecological balance is disturbed causing climatic changes.
7). How can you contribute to the maintenance of green wealth of your locality? Make a list of actions to be taken by you.
Ans: We can grow more and more plants in our locality and take proper care of them by providing water and protection.
8). Explain how deforestation leads to reduced rainfall.
Ans: Plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Fewer trees would mean that less carbon dioxide will be used up resulting in its increased amount in the atmosphere. This will lead to global warming as carbon dioxide traps the heat rays reflected by the earth. The increase in the temperature on the earth disturbs the water cycle and may reduce rainfall.
9). Find out about national parks in your state. Identify and show their location on the outline map of India.
Ans:Do it yourself.
10). Why should paper be saved? Prepare a list of ways by which you can save paper.
Ans: Paper is made from the wood pulp and barks of trees. If paper is not saved then it causes in cutting more number of trees for the manufacture of the paper. The ways of saving the paper are as follows.
i). We should not throw the waste paper here and there.
ii). Waste paper or used paper should be sent for recycling.
11). Complete the word puzzle.
Down
1). Species on the verge of extinction.
2). A book carrying information about endangered species.
3). Consequence of deforestation.
Across
1). Species which have vanished.
2). Species found only in a particular habitat.
3). Variety of plants, animals and microorganisms found in an area.
Additional Questions
Fill in the blanks.
i). Clearing of forests is called as deforestation.
ii). Deforestation leads to a decrease in the water holding capacity of the soil.
iii). Red Data Book keeps a record of all the endangered animals and plants.
iv). Plants and animals of a particular area are known as the flora and fauna of that area.
v). A paper can be recycled 5 to 7 times.
vi). Project Tiger launched on 1 April 1973.
Write whether True or False.
i). A biosphere reserve may also contain other protected areas in it.
True.
ii). People living in wildlife sanctuary are allowed of hunting animals.
False.
iii). The animals found in particular area are known as flora.
False.
iv). Increase in rainfall causes droughts in the surrounding area.
False.
Define
i). Desertification:
Ans:The process of fertile soil getting converted into deserts is known as desertification.
ii). Deforestation
Ans: The cutting of the forests and using the land for other purpose is called as deforestation.
iii). Species
Ans: Species is a group of population which are capable of interbreeding.
Answer in one sentence.
i). Write any two natural causes of deforestation?
Ans: Some natural causes of deforestation are forest fires and severe droughts.
ii). What is a wildlife sanctuary?
Ans: Areas where animals are protected from any disturbance to them and their habitat are called wildlife sanctuary.
iii). What is a National Park?
Ans: Areas reserved for wildlife where they can freely use the habitats and natural resources are known as National Parks.
iv). What is a Biosphere Reserve?
Ans: Large areas of protected land for conservation of wildlife, plant and animal resources and traditional life of the tribals living in the area are known as biosphere reserves.
v). What are flora and fauna?
Ans: The plants and animals found in a particular areas are termed flora and fauna of that area.
vi). What do you mean by Endemic species?
Ans: Endemic species are those species of plants and animals which are found exclusively in a particular area.
vii). Name two examples of Endemic flora of Pachamarhi Biosphere Reserve.
Ans: Sal and wild mango are the two examples of endemic flora of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.
viii). Name two examples of Endemic fauna of Pachamarhi Biosphere Reserve.
Ans: Bison, Indian giant squirrel and flying squirrel are the examples of endemic flora of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.
ix). What are rock shelters?
Ans: Rock shelters are evidences of prehistoric human life in jungles. These give us an idea of the life of primitive people.
x). What do you mean by endangered animals?
Ans: Animals whose members are diminishing to a level that they might face extension are known as the endangered animals.
xi). What is an ecosystem?
Ans: An ecosystem is made of all the plants, animals and microrganisms in an area along with non-living components such as climate, soil, water etc.
Answer in short.
i). What is Project Tiger?
Ans: Project Tiger was launched by the government of India to protect the tigers in the country. The objective of this project was to ensure the survival and maintenance of the tiger population in the country.
