Conservation of Plants and Animals is Chapter 3 taken from the JKBOSE textbook of Science for students of Class 8th. In the previous post, I provided you with Questions and Answers for Chapter 2 Coal and Petroleum. This post is about the Conservation of Plants and Animals Class 8 Question Answers. Before we move on to solutions you must have your basics clear. So, let me begin by giving you a brief overview of what you have studied in this chapter.
We all know plants and animals are of great importance to all of us but due to over-exploitation, these resources are getting vanished day by day. In this chapter, we have studied about reasons for extinction and steps to conserve plants and animals.
Conservation of Plants and Animals Class 8 Question Answers
Overview of Chapter
- DEFORESTATION AND ITS CAUSES.
- CONSEQUENCES OF DEFORESTATION.
- CONSERVATION OF FORESTS AND WILDLIFE.
- BIOSPHERE RESERVE.
- FLORA AND FAUNA.
- ENDEMIC SPECIES.
- WILDLIFE SANCTUARY.
- NATIONAL PARK.
- RED DATA BOOK.
- MIGRATION.
- RECYCLING OF PAPER.
- REFORESTATION.
DEFORESTATION AND ITS CAUSES: The Clearing or indiscriminate cutting or felling of trees over a wide is called deforestation. The forest land is cleared to use for some other purpose. The main causes of deforestation are:
- To obtain wood
- To make more land available for agriculture and other purposes like the construction of houses, roads, factories and hospitals etc.
CONSEQUENCES OF DEFORESTATION: Due to increased deforestation, the forest land is decreasing day by day and forests are disappearing at a brisk pace. There will be the following major consequences if deforestation is not controlled:
- Shortage of wood and other forest products.
- Global Warming.
- Increased soil erosion.
- Increased Flooding.
- Imbalance in the water cycle.
- Extinction of wild animals and plants.
CONSERVATION OF FORESTS AND WILDLIFE: We came to know about the effects of deforestation, we need to conserve our forests and wildlife to preserve biodiversity and maintain ecological balance in nature. We can conserve our forests and wildlife by these methods:
- Protection by law.
- Afforestation.
- Protection from forest fires.
- Personal and societal efforts.
- Habitat Preservation.
BIOSPHERE RESERVE: It is a large protected area of land meant for the conservation of biodiversity, wildlife and the traditional lifestyle and culture of the tribal people living in that area. The tribal people are an integral part of the biosphere reserve. The biosphere is a large area which may include wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in it. Biosphere Reserve is divided into three zones:
- Core Zone (Innermost zone)
- Buffer Zone (Middle Zone)
- Transition Zone (Outermost Zone)
FLORA AND FAUNA: Flora refers to plants growing naturally in any particular area whereas fauna refers to animals living naturally in any particular area. The plants and animals of any particular are termed as flora and fauna of that area. For example, Teak, Sal, Mango and Arjun are flora while Wolf, Cheetah, Chinkara, Blue bull, barking deer etc. are fauna of the Panchmarhi Biosphere Reserve
ENDEMIC SPECIES: Those species of plants and animals which are found exclusively in a particular area and are not found naturally anywhere else besides that area are termed endemic species. For example, Sal and Wild mango are endemic species of flora Panchmarhi Biosphere Reserve.
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY AND NATIONAL PARK: Wildlife sanctuary is a protected area of land meant for the protection of wild animals in their natural environment like forests. Hunting of animals in wildlife sanctuaries is not permitted. National Park is a large area of scenic beauty. It protected area maintained by the government to preserve flora and fauna, landscape, historic objects and places of scientific interest.
RED DATA BOOK: It is a sourcebook which keeps information on all the endangered species of plants, animals and microorganisms. The purpose of maintaining the Red Data Book is to know the status of species of plants, animals and microorganisms and make efforts to prevent the endangered species from extinction.
MIGRATION: The process of moving birds and animals from one place to another according to the season is called migration.
RECYCLING OF PAPER: The term recycling of paper means to process the waste paper to make it usable again. The process of recycling saves trees, labour, cost and chemical used in the process of making new paper.
REFORESTATION: The process of planting trees in an area previously covered by forests but was destroyed for one other reason.
Conservation of Plants and Animals Questions
Exercises
- Fill in the blanks.
- A place where animals are protected in their natural habitat is called a wildlife sanctuary.
- Species found only in a particular area are known as endemic species.
- Migratory birds fly to faraway places because of climatic
- Differentiate between the following:
(a) Wildlife sanctuary and biosphere reserve.
| Wildlife Sanctuary | Biosphere Reserve |
|---|---|
| 1. These are areas meant for the conservation of wild animals in their natural habitat. | 1. These are areas meant for the conservation of biodiversity and culture of an area. |
| 2. Limited human activity like a collection of timber, wood and tilling of land are permitted | 2. Multiple activities like settlement, cropping, grazing and forestry are allowed. |
| 3. Local people are not part of the wildlife sanctuary. | 3. Local people/tribals are an integral part of a biosphere reserve. |
(b) Zoo and Wildlife Sanctuary
| Zoo | Wildlife Sanctuary |
|---|---|
| 1. Animals are conserved in an artificial environment like cages and closures. | 1. Animals are protected and conserved in their natural habitat. |
| 2. Food provided to them is not fresh. | 2. Fresh food is available to them in nature. |
| 3. Animals are not comfortable in an artificial environment. | 3. Animals feel comfortable living in their natural environment. |
| 4. Animals feel kidnapped and do not remain hale and hearty. | 4. Animals are free to move anywhere; they remain hale and hearty in natural homes. |
| 5. A zoo is open to the public for a fixed time every day. | 5. A wildlife sanctuary is not open to the public freely like a zoo. |
(c) Endangered Species and Extinct species.
| Endangered Species | Extinct Species |
|---|---|
| 1. Those species whose number is decreasing and are facing the danger of extinction in future. | 1. Those species which have already disappeared from earth and are not found anywhere on earth. |
| 2. We can save these species by making efforts to increase their population. | 2. It is not possible for extinct species as they have already vanished from the earth. |
| 3. Example. Asiatic lion, Hangul deer, Elephant | 3. Example. Dinosaurs, Dodo birds etc. |
(d) Flora and Fauna.
| Flora | Fauna |
|---|---|
| 1. It represents the total varieties of plants found in an area. | 1. It represents the total variety of animals found in an area. |
| Example. Apple, Mango, Cedar, Chinar etc. | Example. Cat, Dog, Goat, Cow, Horse etc. |
- Discuss the effects of deforestation on the following:
(a) Wild Animals
Ans. Wild animals live in forests. They are dependent on forests for their food and habitat. Cutting off trees will render them of their natural habitat and food which leads to their extinction.
(b) Environment
Ans. Deforestation will have a direct impact on our environment. It will increase global warming, reduces rainfall, and droughts, and decrease the level of oxygen in the environment.
(c) Villages (Rural areas)
Ans. Villagers mainly are dependent on agriculture. Decreased rainfall due to deforestation will affect their crops badly. Deforestation also leads to soil erosion which makes soil unfit for agricultural practices.
(d) Cities (Urban Areas)
Ans. Cities have dense populations and many industrial units also there is huge vehicular traffic in cities. Deforestation will lead to an increased level of pollution in cities. Due to global warming, there will be a sharp in temperature in cities.
(e) Earth
Ans. Deforestation will lead to changes in the properties of the soil of an area. It leads to more soil erosion which makes the land barren. Increase in desertification. More floods due to increased levels of runoff water. Reduces the water-holding capacity of the soil. Decreased groundwater level.
(f) The next generation.
Ans. The first effect is that they will not be able to see the beauty of this planet. They will face serious environmental problems like global warming, reduced rainfall, increased air pollution, and decreased levels of groundwater. Decrease in forest-based products like timber, fibre, wood etc.
- What will happen if: –
(a) We go on cutting trees.
Ans. Trees are very important for the existence of life on earth and to maintain the balance of nature on earth. If we go on cutting trees, we will face many problems like global warming, reduced rainfall, increased air pollution, decreased levels of groundwater and reduced level of oxygen on earth.
(b) habitat of an animal is disturbed.
Ans. If the habitat of an animal is disturbed it will render the animal of its shelter which will lead to its extinction in future.
(c) the top layer of soil is exposed.
Ans. If the top layer of soil gets washed away or blown away it will expose the unfertile rocky surface to the top. This layer is less fertile and it is unfit for agricultural practices.
- Answer in brief:
(a) Why should we conserve biodiversity?
Ans. We should conserve biodiversity because every organism has a separate role to play in the environment. Different organisms are interrelated to each other in the food chain and can only survive on the survival of other organisms. So, to preserve the rich variety of biodiversity we should conserve it.
(b) Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals. Why?
Ans. The protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals due to illegal poaching of animals and also encroachment from people living in the neighbourhood.
(c) Some tribals depend on the jungle. How?
Ans. The tribals living near the jungle obtain their food, clothing, wood and shelter from the forest. So, they are dependent on the forest.
(d) What are the causes and consequences of deforestation?
Ans. Causes of deforestation include: –
1. For increasing agricultural land
2. For building houses.
3. For timber and wood for furniture and fuel.
4. Building factories and roads.
5. Some natural causes like floods, droughts, and forest fires are also responsible for deforestation.
Consequences of Deforestation.
1. Deforestation will lead to global warming.
2. Increase in the level of pollution.
3. Decrease in level of oxygen.
4. Decrease in the amount of rainfall, drought increase, flood increase, soil erosion increase.
5. Reduces the water-holding capacity of the soil.
(e) What is Red Data Book?
Ans. It is a sourcebook which keeps a record of all the endangered species of plants and animals in it.
(f) What do you understand by the term migration?
Ans. It is a phenomenon of the movement of birds and animals from one place to another due to unfavourable climatic conditions, in search of food or for breeding purposes.
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, the continuous cutting of trees is not justified for any such projects because forest cover is of utmost importance for us and other living organisms too. Removing forest cover will lead to the loss of habitat of several wild animals, desertification, floods, reduced rainfall and global warming etc. Green plants are a source of O2 for us and also, and they use CO2 from the atmosphere and use it in the process of photosynthesis. CO2 is the main greenhouse gas which is responsible for global warming, decreasing forest cover will increase the level of CO2 in the atmosphere which will eventually lead to global warming. Forests are important for life on earth so forests must be conserved.
7. How can you contribute to the maintenance of the green wealth of your locality? Make a list of actions taken by you.
Ans. We can contribute towards the maintenance of green wealth of the locality in the following ways:
1. We should plant more and more in our surroundings.
2. We should discourage the cutting of trees.
3. We can make people aware of the effect of deforestation on our lives.
4. We should protect plants against the harm caused to them by someone else.
8. Explain how deforestation leads to reduced rainfall.
Ans. Plants use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis however deforestation leads to decreased consumption of carbon dioxide. Due to this, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will increase which leads to global warming which in turn disturbs the water cycle and reduces the rainfall.
9. Find out the information about the national parks in your state. Identify and show their location on the outline map of India.
Ans. Dachigam National Park
Salim Ali National Park
Kazinag National Park
Kishtwar High Altitude National Park
Hemis National Park
10. Why should the paper be saved? Prepare a list of ways by which you can save paper.
Ans. We should save paper because the paper is made from wood pulp which is obtained by cutting trees. One ton of paper needs 17 full-grown trees to be cut down. In addition to this lot of energy, water and chemicals are required to prepare the paper. So, to save forests we should save paper and should use recycled paper. Some ways by which we can save paper are: –
1. Make two-sided copies.
2. Reuse the paper by recycling it.
3. Make toys and caps etc. out of used paper.
4. Leave fewer margins while writing.
- Complete the word puzzle.
| Down | Across |
|---|---|
| 1. Species on the verge of extinction. | 1. Species that have vanished. |
| 2. A book carrying information about endangered species. | 3. Species found in a particular area. |
| 5. Consequences of deforestation. | 4. Variety of plants, animals and microorganisms found in an area. |
Ans.
That’s all about the Conservation of Plants and Animals Class 8 Question Answers. Hope it has helped. Do share your views about this post in the comment section below.
Leave a Reply