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CONSERVATION OF PLANTS
AND ANIMALS
DEFINATIONS
1. Conservation: The wise and judicious use of natural resources.
2. Biodiversity: The variety of living organisms existing on the earth.
3. Desertification: The process of conversion of a fertile land into a desert.
4. Reforestation: Planting of new trees where forests have been destroyed.
5. Flora: Different plants growing in a particular area.
6. Fauna: Animals found in a particular area.
7. Biosphere: The part of the earth which supports life or where living organisms exit.
8. Ecosystem: All the living organisms along with the non-living components of an area.
9. Endemic species: Species of plants and animals which are found exclusively in a particular
geographical area and nowhere else in the world.
10. Extinct species: The species of plants and animals which have been lost forever.
11. Endangered species: The species which are at high risk of becoming extinct.
12. Protected areas: The areas dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biodiversity along
with natural and cultural resources.
13. National park: An area which is strictly reserved for the protection of wildlife.
14. Wildlife sanctuary: An area reserved for the protection of animals only.
15. Biosphere reserve: A large multipurpose protected area for conservation of wildlife, plant
and animal resource.

POINTS TO REMEMBER
 Plants animals and microorganisms present on the earth constitute the living natural
resources.
 Biodiversity is useful to human being as well as to the environment. Therefore, it needs to be
conserved.
 The causes of the loss of biodiversity include
(1) Increase in population, (2) industrialization and urbanization, (3) overgrazing by animals,
(4) habitat destruction, (5) pollution and (6) hunting and killing of animals.
 Deforestation causes global warming, droughts, floods, soil erosion, desertification, lowering
of ground water level and destruction of habitants of many living organisms.
 To reduce deforestation, we should save, reuse and recycle paper.
 Red Data Book contains a record of endangered plants and animals.
 Protected areas include national park, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves.

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 NCERT SOLUTIONS
56

Q 1.Fill in the blanks:

(a) A place where animals are protected in their natural habitat iscalled …… (Sanctuary)
(b) Species found only in a particular area is known as …….. (Endemic)
(c) Migratory birds fly to farawayplaces because of …….changes. (Climatic)

Q 2.Differentiate between the following:

(a) Wildlife sanctuary and biosphere reserve
A 2.
Wildlife sanctuary Biosphere reserve
1. It is an area within which animals are 1. It is large protected area constructed for
protected from possible dangers such as the conservation of biodiversity.
hunting. Their habitats is also conserved
in this area.
2. It provides protection and suitable 2. It helps in the conservation of various
living conditions to wild animals. life forms such as plants, animals and
micro-organisms.
3. Panchmarhi sanctuary is a wildlife 3. Panchmarhi biosphere reserve is popular
sanctuary. biosphere reserve.

(b) Zoo and wildlife sanctuary

Zoo Wildlife sanctuary
1. It is a facility in which animals are 1. It is an area within which animals are
kept for public exhibition. protected from possible dangers such as
hunting. Their habitats is also conserved in
this area.
2. It is an artificial habitat. 2. It conserves the natural habitat of animals

(c) Endangered and extinct species

Endangered species Extinct species
1. It is population of species that is on the 1. It is population of species that no longer
verge of becoming extinct. exists. Hence it is extinct.

2. Blue whale, tiger, leopard are examples 2. Dodo is an example of extinct species.
of endangered species

(d) Flora and fauna

Flauna Flora
The community of animals in a specific The plant life of particular area
region or habitat

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 Q 3. Discuss the effects of deforestation on the following:

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(a) Wild animals
A. Deforestation is removal of trees or other vegetation from an area for industrial, agricultural or
other purposes. Trees and other vegetation form the habitat of many animals. Hence if habitat for
wildlife is destroyed, their numbers would decline.

(b) Environment
A. Plants absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) from atmosphere to perform photosynthesis. If plants are
destroyed, then level of CO2 in atmosphere will rise. As a result, CO2 will trap more heat radiation.
And therefore global warming will increase. Increase in temperature of Earth will disturb natural
water cycle. As a result, there will be change in the rain pattern. This could lead to floods or drought.

(c) Villages (Rural areas)

A. Roots of plants hold soil particles together. In absence of plants, the top layer of the soil will be
easily removed by the action of winds or water flow. Thus, deforestation increases the chances of soil
erosion. As a result, soil loses humus and become less fertile. Hence a fertile land, which is source of
living for farmers living in villages, get converted into desert.

(d) Cities (Urban areas)

A. Deforestation in cities can increase the risk of many natural calamities such as floods and droughts
in that area. Also it can lead to global warming due to increase in the level of CO2 in the atmosphere
as a result of vehicular and industrial pollution. This increase in temperature can disturb the natural
water cycle of an area.

(e) Earth
A. As a result of deforestation, chance of decertification, draughts, floods etc. can
increase.Deforestation can also increase the level of CO2 in the Earth, it will lead to an increase in
temperature i.e. global warming. As a result, the entire natural water cycle will get disturbed. This
again increases the risk of natural habitat.

(f) The next generation

A. Deforestation is slowly changing our environmental conditions. It is responsible for global
warming, soil erosion, greenhouse effect, draught, floods and many other global problems. As a
result, the next generation will have to face severe consequences of deforestation.

Q 4. What will happen if?

(a) We go on cutting trees.
A. If we go on cutting trees, the natural habitat of many animals will get completely destroyed. As a
result, the biodiversity of many areas will be severely affected. Also there will be an increase in the
temperature of the Earth as a result of global warming, which can disturb the natural water cycle. As
a result, there will be change rain fall pattern. This could lead to floods or droughts. This will also
increase the risk of soil erosion, desertification, and natural calamities.

(b) The habitat of an animal is disturbed.

A. The habitat of animal provides it with necessities such as shelter, food and protection. If habitat of
an animal is disturbed, then it will be forced to go to other places in search of food and shelter. The
animal could get killed by other animals in this process.

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 (c) The top layer of soil is exposed.
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A. If top layer or soil is exposed, then it will gradually expose the lower layer of soil, which is hard
and rocky in nature. This type of soil is less fertile as it contains less humus. Continued soil erosion
will make the land barren or infertile.

Q 5. Answer in brief:
(a) Why should we conserve biodiversity?
A. Bio diversities refer to number and variety of various life forms such as plants, animals and micro-
organisms in that area. Plants and animals depend on each other for survival. This means that the
destruction of either of the two will affect the life of the other. Hence, we need to conserve bio
diversity to maintain the balance of nature.

(b) Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals. Why?
A. Protected forests are not completely safe for wild animals because people who live near or adjacent
to forests use resources from forests to fulfil their own requirements. In this process, wild animals are
killed and sold for lucrative amounts of money.

(c) Some tribal’s depend on the jungle. How?

A. Tribals gather food, folder and fallen branches of trees from forests. Hence, they depend on forests
for their daily requirements.

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

A. Causes of deforestation
 Forests are cleared for accommodating expanding urban areas and for fulfilling their ever-
increasing requirements.
 Forests are destroyed to clear land for crops and cattle grazing.
 Trees are cut down to be used for firewood.
Consequences of deforestation:
 Soil erosion
 Loss of biodiversity
 Floods and draughts
 Climate change due to global warming
 Disruption of water cycle

(e) What is Red Data Book?

A. Red data book is a source book that maintains an international list of all endangered animals and
plant species. This book is maintained by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature
and Natural Resources.)

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

A. Migration refers to the movement of an organism or group of organisms from its natural habitat to
another place at a particular time every year. Birds that cover long distances to reach another land are
known as migratory birds.

Q 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.

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 A. No, it is not at all justified to cut trees to meet the ever increasing demands of human population.

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Forests are habitat of several organisms including wild animals. They provide us with good quality
air as they give us oxygen (O2) and absorbs harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) gas from atmosphere. In
this process, they prevent the excessive heating of the atmosphere. They prevent soil erosion and
natural calamities such as floods and draughts. They increase fertility of soil and help conserve
biodiversity. The cutting of forests to meet demands of growing human population will lead to global
warming, floods and many more problems. The destruction of forests will disturb the balance of
nature. Hence forests must be conserved.

Q 7. How can you contribute to the maintenance of green wealth of your locality?Make a list of
actions to be taken by you.
A. I can help in maintain the green wealth of my locality by taking care of the plants and growing
trees in or around my locality. I can plant more and more trees. I can also encourage the people in my
locality to plant more trees by informing them about importance of trees. I can make young children
aware of the effects that deforestation has on our environment and on our planet. I can also ask them
to water plants every day.

Q 8. Explain how deforestation leads to reduced rainfall.

A. Deforestation is removal of trees or other vegetation from an area for industrial, agricultural or
other purposes. Plants or trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. If plants are destroyed,
then level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will rise. The high level of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere will trap more heat radiations, leading to global warming. This increase in temperature
of the Earth will disturb the natural water cycle. As a result of disruption in the water cycle, there will
be change in the rain fall pattern. The reduced amount of rain water can cause droughts.

Q 9. Find out the information about the national parks in

your state. Identifyand show their location on the outline
map of India.

Q 10. Why should paper be saved? Prepare a list of ways by which you can savepaper.
A 10. Paper should be saved because it takes our important natural resources, i.e. trees to make it
(around 17 grown trees to make one ton of paper). Trees as we know, are important to maintain a
balance of nature. Therefore, in order to save trees and prevent the impact of their loss on living
world, we need to save paper. We can also save paper by following ways:
 Paper should be recycled
 Use both side of a paper for writing purpose.
 Spread awareness regarding the value of saving paper.

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 EXTRA QUESTIONS
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Q 1. What is meant by deforestation?

A 1.Deforestation means clearing of forests and using that land for other purpose like building houses
and factories.

Q 2. Write some natural causes of deforestation.

A 2.Some natural causes of deforestation are forest fires and severe draughts.

Q 3. Write two purposes for which trees are cut in the forests.
A 3. (i) For procuring land for cultivation (ii) Building houses and factories.

Q 4. What is desertification?
A 4. Gradual conversion of fertile land into deserts is called desertification.

Q 5. What is meant by biosphere?

A 5.Biosphere is that part of the earth in which living organisms exit or which supports life.

Q 6. Define biodiversity.
A 6.Biodiversity means variety of organisms existing on the earth, their interrelationship and their
relationship with environment.

Q 7. What are biosphere reserves?

A 7.Biosphere reserves are large areas of protected land for conversion of wild life, plant and animal
resources and traditional life of the tribals living in the area.

Q 8. What is meant by flora and fauna?

A 8.Plants found in particular area are termed as flora. The animals found in particular area are termed
as fauna.

Q 9. Define species.
A 9.Species is a group of individual which are capable of interbreeding with each other.

Q 10. What are endemic species?

A 10.Endemic species are those species of plants and animals which are found exclusively in a
particular area.

Q 11. What is meant by wild life sanctuary?

A 11.Wild life sanctuaries are some area where wild animals are protected and preserved.

Q 12. What are national parks?

A 12.National parks are reserves that protect the flora and fauna of the place.

Q 13. Give two examples of endemic flora and fauna of Panchmarhi biosphere reserve.
A 13. Two endemic flora of Panchmarhi biosphere reserve are Sal and wild mango.
Two endemic fauna of Panchmarhi biosphere reserve are Bison, Flying squirrel.

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 61
Q 14. Name flora and fauna of Panchmarhi biosphere reserve.
A 14.Flora: Sal, Teak, mango, jamun, silver fern, Arjun
Fauna: Chinkara, blue bull, barking deer, cheetah, leopard, wild dog, wolf.

Q 15. What are endangered animals?

A 15.Endangered animals are animals whose numbers are diminishing and are facing extinction.

Q 16. Name two wild life sanctuaries of Panchmarhi biosphere reserve.

A 16.Panchmarhi biosphere reserve consists of two wildlife sanctuaries named Bori and Panchmarhi

Q 17. Why has survival of animals difficult?

A 17.Survival of animals difficult because of change in their natural habitat.

Q 18. What is meant by eco system?

A 18. An echo system comprises of all plants, animals and micro-organisms in an area along with
non-living components such as climate, soil, river etc.

Q 19. What is red data book?

A 19.Red data book is the source book which keeps a record of all endangered animals and plants.

Q 20. What are migrating birds?

A 20.Birds that cover long distances to reach another land ∵ of climatic changes are known as
migrating birds.

Q 21. What is meant by reforestation?

A 21.Reforestation is restoring of the destroyed forests by planting new trees.

Q 22. Name the first reserve forest of India.

A 22.Satpura National Park

Q 23. Name two national Parks.

A 23.Jim Corbett and Kanha.

Q 24. Name two wild life sanctuaries of India.

A 24.Kaziranga and Gir

Q 25. What are rock shelters?

A 25. Rock shelters are formed inside the Satpura national park. These are pre-historic evidences of
human life in these jungles, which give us an idea about the life of primitive birds.

Q 26. What is project tiger? What is its objective?

A 26. Project tiger was launched on 1st April 1973 by our government to protect the tigers of the
country.

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 Q 27. Why should paper be saved?
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A 27. We should save paper because it takes 17 full grown trees to make one ton of paper.
Q 28. What is the role of small animals in eco system?
A 28.The role of animals is important because they form a part of food chain and food webs.

Q 29. What is aim of forest (conservation) Act?

A 29. This act is aimed at preservation and conservation of natural forests and meeting the basic needs
of the people living in or near the forests.

Q 30. Name two projects that have led to large scale deforestation in India.
A 30.Narmada valley Project and Tehri Project have led to large scale deforestation in India.

Q 31. Why is conversation of biodiversity important?

A 31.Conversation of biodiversity is very important as each group of organisms have important roles
to play in an ecosystem.

Q 32. Define migration, why do animals and birds migrate?

A 32.Migration is the periodic movement of a species of animals or birds from the place where it has
been living to a new area and its subsequent return journey to the original home.Birds and animals
usually migrate to find abundant food and a favourable place to breed.

Q 33. What is the objective of "Project Tiger"?

A 33.Project Tiger is one of the successful operations launched by Government of India to protect
Tiger in the country. The objective of the project was to ensure the survival and maintenance of the
Tiger population in the country.

Q 34. Why are wildlife sanctuaries important for conservation of plants and animals?
A 34.In a wildlife sanctuary, killing and capturing of wild animals are strictly prohibited. It does not
αlow any human activity which disturbs the wild animals of their habitant. So in these areas, animal
live in natural environment, protected from people. This is why sanctuaries are important.

Q 35. What do you mean by recycling of paper? Why is recycling of paper important?
A 35. Paper recycling is the process of recovering waste paper and remaking it into new paper
products. Paper suitable for recycling is called scrap paper. 90% of paper pulp is made of wood. Paper
production accounts for about 35% of felled trees. Recycling of newsprint saves lot of wood. It has
been estimated that recycling half the world’s paper would avoid the deforestation of 20 million acres
of forestland.

Q 36. What are the global consequences of deforestation?

A 36.The global consequences of deforestation are:
(a) Climate change: As a result of deforestation the summers are becoming hotter and rainfall in
many parts is deficient.
(b) Desertification: Deforestation leads to soil erosion. The rocky layers become exposed and
leads to the formation of deserts.
(c) Ozone Depletion: Certain greenhouse gases like nitrous oxide destroy the ozone layer that
Forms a protective shield in the stratosphere.

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 63
Q 37. Explain the main causes of extinction of endemic species.
A 37. The main causes of extinction of endemic are:
 Loss of Habitat: It occurs when an environment is altered so much that certain organisms can
no longer survive there.
 Overexploitation: Overexploitation occurs when living organisms are hunted to the extent
that their population is not able to maintain itself, even if it was abundant initially.
 Introduced species: Colonization, i.e. introduction of new species can have a significant
impact on endemic species, as new species may prey on, or compete for resources with,
existing species.
 Ecosystem disruption: The living organisms in an ecosystem are often linked together. This
link might be a food chain, the pollination of plants by insects, bats and birds or the shelter
that plants provide for certain animals.

Q 38. What is RED DATA BOOK? How does it help a person who wants to protect animals ina
forest?
A 38. The IUCN (International union of conservation of Nature and Natural resources) maintains an
international list of animals and plants whose continued existence is threatened. This list is published
asthe Red Date Book.
The Red Data Book is published in different countries and provides useful information on the
threat status of different species. Species are classified into different categories of perceived risk.
This information can help a person who wants to protect animals or plants in a forest.

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