class 8 Chapter 7 Conservation of Plants and Animals

 class 8 Chapter 7 Conservation of Plants and Animals

Exercise Questions

1. Fill in the blanks.

(a) A place where animals are protected in their natural habitat is called _________ .

(b) Species found only in a particular area is known as _______ .

(c) Migratory birds fly to faraway places because of __________ changes.

Soln:

(a) A place where animals are protected in their natural habitat is called Sanctuary.

(b) Species found only in a particular area is known as endemic .

(c) Migratory birds fly to faraway places because of climatic changes.

2. Differentiate between the following.

(a) Wildlife sanctuary and biosphere reserve

(b) Zoo and wildlife sanctuary

(c) Endangered and extinct species

(d) Flora and fauna

Soln:

(a)

Wildlife sanctuary	Biosphere Reserve
An area within which wild animals are protected from external dangers like hunting	An area constructed for the conservation of biodiversity
Adequate habitat and protection are provided for the wild animals living in a sanctuary	Several life forms like plants, animals, and micro-organisms conservation are possible in a reserve
Eg: Corbett national park	Eg: Nilgiri Biosphere reserve

(b)

Zoo	Wildlife Sanctuary
Animals are kept in artificially constructed facilities for public exhibition.	An area within which wild animals are protected from external dangers like hunting.
It is an artificial habitat and the animals may or may not adapt to the new conditions.	The animals are conserved within their natural habitat itself. So, they won’t have a problem with their surroundings.

(c)

Endangered Species	Extinct Species
The species which are on the verge of extinction are called as Endangered species.	The species of animals or plants that no longer exist are called Extinct species.
Eg: Bengal Tiger, Blue Whale, etc.	Eg: Caribbean monk seal, Great Auk, Passenger pigeon.

(d)

Flora	Fauna
It is the collective name for the plant life from a particular area.	It is the collective name for the animal life from a particular area
Eg: Spurge and Hogweed from the Nilgiris region	Eg: Langur, Tiger, Tahr from the Nilgiris region.

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

Soln:

(a) Effects of deforestation on wild animals:

Removal of trees and plant life from a particular area for the construction of industries, agriculture or for other such purposes is termed as Deforestation. Plant life forms an integral part of the ecosystem and these plants form the natural habitat of various animals of that ecosystem. Destroying the plant life will ultimately threaten the existence of animals in that particular ecosystem and may lead to their extinction.

(b) Effects of deforestation on the environment:

In plants, Photosynthesis takes place by the absorption of CO₂ from the earth’s atmosphere. The percentage of CO₂ in the atmosphere increases rapidly if the plant life of an area is destroyed. Increased concentrations of CO₂ result in the trapping of excessive heat radiations within the Earth’s atmosphere contributing to global warming. This results in the rise of the temperature of the Earth and disturbs the water cycle which occurs in nature. Hence, rainfall pattern changes leading to droughts and floods.

(c) Effects of deforestation on villages:

The soil particles are held together in a place by the roots of the plants, trees and other vegetation. In the event of water flow or a high-speed wind over the top layer of the soil, the soil particles get removed easily as there are no plants to hold it in place. Thus, Soil erosion is increased by deforestation activities. Soil loses fertility and loses humus. Hence, a fertile land, fit for agriculture turns into a desert.

(d)Effects of deforestation on cities:

The risk of natural calamities like floods and drought in urban areas is increased by deforestation. It will also lead to global warming because of increased CO₂ levels in the atmosphere. This is a result of continuous pollution from automobiles and industries. The water cycle in the vicinity is also affected.

(e) Effects of deforestation on Earth:

Deforestation leads to increased chances and occurrences of desertification, droughts and floods. Carbon Dioxide level in the earth’s atmosphere also increases which leads to global warming. The water cycle is disrupted and also there is an increased risk of natural calamities.

(f) Effects of deforestation on the next generation:

Our Environment is slowly changed by the activities of deforestation, both directly and indirectly. Soil erosion, global warming, desertification, drought, greenhouse effect, floods and many other problems are caused only because of deforestation. Ultimately, the next generation will be facing the consequences of deforestation.

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

Soln:

(a) If we go on cutting the trees

If we go on cutting the trees, the animals will lose their natural habitat as essential part of their ecosystem are destroyed. This reduces the biodiversity of the affected areas. The temperature of the Earth also increases and gives way to global warming. Global warming, in turn, affects the water cycle. Hence, rainfall pattern changes leading to droughts and floods. Risks of soil erosion, global warming, desertification, greenhouse effect increases.

(b) If the habitat of an animal is disturbed

All the basic necessities for an animal, like food, water, shelter and protection is provided by the habitat in which the animal lives-in disturbing the habitat of the animal forces it to move to another place in search of food, water, shelter and protection. The animal, in due course, may get killed by other animals.

(C) If the top layer of the soil is removed

Removing the top layer of the soil gradually exposes the lower layers of the soil. The lower layers of the soil are hard and rocky in nature and are less fertile. This is because of the reduced quantity of humus. Soil erosion on a continued basis will turn it barren and infertile.

5. Answer in brief.

(a) Why should we conserve biodiversity?

(b) Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals. Why?

(c) Some tribals depend on the jungle. How?

(d) What are the causes and consequences of deforestation?

(e) What is Red Data Book?

(f) What do you understand by the term migration?

Soln:

(a) The number and variety of various life forms such as plants, animals and micro-organisms in the area are called Biodiversity. Both plants and animals have a mutual dependence on each other for their survival. As they are related to one another, destruction of one will automatically destroy the other. Hence, biodiversity has to be conserved in order to maintain nature’s balance.

(b) People who live near the forests depend on the resources of the forests in order to fulfil their day-to-day needs. Therefore, it is not safe for animals living in protected forests. The animals would be threatened by the presence of the human population. This results in the killing of wild animals and selling their products for huge sums of money.

(c) The forests provide food, fodder and other resources to the tribal people. It is inevitable for them to depend on forests and their resources for everyday needs.

(d) Causes of deforestation:

There are a lot of causes for deforestation. A few of them are listed below.

I. In order to accommodate the ever-expanding urban population, forest areas are often cleared and converted into lands for various uses.

II. For agricultural activities like crop cultivation and cattle grazing, forest lands are cleared.

III. Firewood is a major product from the forests and it is one of the main reasons for cutting the trees on a large scale.

Consequences of deforestation:

There are a lot of fatal consequences caused by deforestation. A few of them are listed below.

1. Soil erosion
2. Loss of Biodiversity
3. Floods
4. Droughts
5. Global warming as a result of climate change
6. Disruption of the water cycle

(e) Red data book is basically a sourcebook which has an international list of all plant and animal species which are endangered, that is, on the verge of extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources (IUCN) maintains the books and adds/ removes the names of the species by conducting a comprehensive survey.

(f) The movement of an organism or a group of organisms from its natural habitat to another place on a standard basis at a particular time of each and every year is known as migration. The organisms do so in order to avoid uninhabitable conditions of climate or for the process of breeding.

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.

Soln:

No. Cutting trees in order to meet the ever growing demands of the human population is not at all justified. There are a vast number of organisms like wild animals, insects, and birds living in the forests. The forests provide good quality air for both animals and humans. This is because of the process of plants respiration by which, they consume the harmful carbon dioxide and give out good quality Oxygen. Thus, keeping greenhouse gases and global warming under check. The roots of the flora of the forests help in preventing soil erosion. Natural Calamities such as floods and droughts could also be prevented by their presence. They help in increasing the soil’s fertility and conserving the biodiversity of the ecosystem.

Overutilization of forests and its resources by cutting a large number of trees in order to satisfy the demands of the ever-increasing human population leading to many long-term problems like

• Soil erosion
• Greenhouse effect
• Global warming
• Floods
• Droughts

Besides the above-listed problems, the effects of large-scale deforestation will be leaving an everlasting mark on the face of human civilization. The balance of nature is disturbed by the destruction of trees. Hence, it is of utmost priority and importance to conserve forests.

7. How can you contribute to the maintenance of green wealth of your locality? Make a list of actions to be taken by you.

Soln:

I can take care of the green cover of my locality by growing plants in my locality. I shall motivate the people of my neighbourhood to plant more trees and take care of the existing trees by creating awareness about the importance of plant life in an ecosystem. In order to make this possible, I would initiate the proceedings and organize weekly events on the same. Creating awareness among the children and youth would be of top priority as they will easily understand the issues that we are facing. Planting new trees is as important as looking after the existing ones. So, my volunteers and I would water the plants and trees on a regular basis.

8. Explain how deforestation leads to reduced rainfall.

Soln:

Removal of trees and plant life from a particular area for the construction of industries, agriculture and other purposes is termed as Deforestation. Photosynthesis, in plant life, takes place by the absorption of CO₂ from the earth’s atmosphere. When the plant life is destroyed, the Carbon Dioxide levels in the atmosphere will increase drastically leading trap of heat radiation which causes global warming. This rise in temperature will affect the water cycle. Disturbance in the water cycle will lead to a chain of events and in the end, the rainfall pattern changes and results in droughts.

9. Find out about national parks in your state. Identify and show their location on the outline map of India

Soln:

Periyar National park located in the state of Kerala.

10. Why should paper be saved? Prepare a list of ways by which you can save paper

Soln:

If one ton of clean white paper is to be produced, seventeen full grown trees are cut down. Trees play a major role in maintaining a balance in nature. So, it is essential to save paper in order to protect the trees and avoid the impact of the loss of trees on the living organisms that depend on these trees.

Ways to save paper:

• Collection and recycling of used paper.
• Using both sides of a paper for writing.
• Spreading awareness about the importance of paper among school children and youth.
• Intelligent and proper use of paper.

11. Complete the word puzzle.

Down

1. Species on the verge of extinction.

2. A book carrying information about endangered species.

5. Consequences of deforestation.

Across

1. Species which have vanished.

3. Species found only in a particular habitat.

4. Variety of plants, animals and microorganisms found in an area.

Down

1. Endangered
2. Red Data Book
3. Deserts

Across

1. Extinct
2. Endemic
3. Biodiversity

4. Subtopics of NCERT Solutions Class 8 Science Chapter 7 Conservation of Plants and Animals

   1. Deforestation and Its Causes
   2. Consequences of Deforestation
   3. Conservation of Forest and Wildlife
   4. Biosphere Reserve
   5. Flora and Fauna
   6. Endemic Species
   7. Wildlife Sanctuary
   8. National Park
   9. Red Data Book
   10. Migration
   11. Recycling of Paper
   12. Reforestation.

       Chapter 7 Conservation of Plants and Animals

       Why should we conserve biodiversity?

       The number and variety of various life forms such as plants, animals and micro-organisms in the area are called Biodiversity. Both plants and animals have a mutual dependence on each other for their survival. As they are related to one another, destruction of one will automatically destroy the other. Hence, biodiversity has to be conserved in order to maintain nature’s balance.

       What is Red Data Book?

       Red data book is basically a sourcebook which has an international list of all plant and animal species which are endangered, that is, on the verge of extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources (IUCN) maintains the books and adds/ removes the names of the species by conducting a comprehensive survey.

       What are the causes and consequences of deforestation?

       There are a lot of causes for deforestation. A few of them are listed below.

       1. In order to accommodate the ever-expanding urban population, forest areas are often cleared and converted into lands for various uses.
       2. For agricultural activities like crop cultivation and cattle grazing, forest lands are cleared.
       3. Firewood is a major product from the forests and it is one of the main reasons for cutting the trees from on a large scale.

       Consequences of deforestation:

       There are a lot of fatal consequences caused by deforestation. A few of them are listed below.

       1. Soil erosion
       2. Loss of Biodiversity
       3. Floods
       4. Droughts
       5. Global warming as a result of climate change
       6. Disruption of the water cycle

       What will happen if we go on cutting trees?

       If we go on cutting the trees, the animals will lose their natural habitat as essential part of their ecosystem are destroyed. This reduces the biodiversity of the affected areas. The temperature of the Earth also increases and gives way to global warming. Global warming, in turn, affects the water cycle. Hence, rainfall pattern changes leading to droughts and floods. Risks of soil erosion, global warming, desertification, greenhouse effect increases.

       What will happen if the top layer of soil is exposed?

       Removing the top layer of the soil gradually exposes the lower layers of the soil. The lower layers of the soil are hard and rocky in nature and are less fertile. This is because of the reduced quantity of humus. Soil erosion on a continued basis will turn it barren and infertile.

       How does deforestation lead to reduced rainfall?

       Removal of trees and plant life from a particular area for the construction of Industries, agriculture and other purposes is termed as Deforestation. Photosynthesis, in plant life, takes place by the absorption of CO2 from the earth’s atmosphere. When the plant life is destroyed, the Carbon Dioxide levels in the atmosphere will increase drastically leading trap of heat radiations which causes global warming. This rise in temperature will affect the water cycle. Disturbance in the water cycle will lead to a chain of events and in the end, the rainfall pattern changes and results in droughts.