Important Questions for Class 8 Science

Chapter 5 – Conservation of Plants and Animals

Very Short Answer Questions: 1 Mark

1. Why are trees in the forest cut?

A. procuring land for cultivation

B. building houses and factories

C. making furniture or using wood as fuel

D. all of these

Ans: D. All of these

2. Survival of some animals has become difficult because of ____________.

A. disturbance in rainfall

B. disturbance in their natural habitat

C. afforestation

D. none of these

Ans: B. Disturbance in their natural habitat

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3. Migratory birds fly to faraway places because of _______ changes.

A. physical B. natural

C. climatic D. environmental

Ans: C. climatic

4. A place in the environment where an organism lives is called a ________

A. home B. resort

C. habitat D. reservoir

Ans: C. habitat

5. Fauna is ___________.

A. plants B. animals

C. microorganism D. both plants and animals

Ans: B. Animals

6. Sanctuary is a place where _________________.

A. animals are protected B. plants are protected

C. office of forest department D. a tribal village is protected

Ans: A. animals are protected

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7. Give any two examples of a biosphere reserve

Ans: Examples of biospheres are:

i. Nilgiri

ii. Pachmarhi

8. Give any two examples of flora.

Ans: Examples of flora are:

i. Neem

ii. Mango

9. Give any two examples of fauna.

Ans: Examples of fauna are:

i. Lion

ii. Tiger

10. Give any two examples of endemic species.

Ans: Examples of endemic species are:

a. Flora - Sal, wild mango

b. Fauna - Bison, Indian giant squirrel

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11. Give any two examples of endangered species.

Ans: Examples of endangered species are:

i. Texa Wild Rice

ii. Mountain Gorilla

12. Give any two examples of wildlife sanctuaries.

Ans: Examples of wildlife sanctuaries are:

i. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

ii. Gir Wildlife Sanctuary

13. Give any two examples of national parks.

Ans: Examples of national park are:

i. Jim Corbett National Park

ii. Kaziranga National Park

14. Give any two examples of migratory birds.

Ans: Examples of migratory birds are:

i. Saras

ii. Siberian Crane

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Short Answer Questions: 3 Marks

15. Define deforestation.

Ans: Deforestation is the clearing of forests or groups of trees for reusing the land for
commercial purposes such as agriculture, construction, mining and urbanization.

16. What do you mean by a drought?

Ans: A drought is a period of time when an area or region receives less rain than usual.
Reduced soil moisture or groundwater, reduced streamflow, agricultural damage, and a
general water scarcity can all result from a lack of appropriate precipitation, whether rain
or snow. Drought can also be an effect of change of temperature due to global warming.

17. What is desertification?

Ans: Desertification is the process of turning fertile land into deserts due to soil erosion
and widespread deforestation. It can affect all - humans, plants and animals.

18. Differentiate between wildlife sanctuary and zoo.

Ans: Difference between wildlife sanctuary and zoo are as follows:

Wildlife Sanctuary Zoo

Wildlife sanctuary is an area where animals are Zoo is an enclosed area where
protected in their natural habitat. animals are for public exhibition.

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They allow the local people to graze their
animals and collect firewood, fruits, medicinal No public activity is allowed.
plants etc.

E.g. Rajiv Gandhi Zoological

E.g. Pachmarhi
Park, Pune.

19. How can we prevent biodiversity from getting disturbed?

Ans: We can prevent biodiversity from getting disturbed with the help of afforestation
which implies planting more trees in the area. Along with this we need to follow the norms
laid by government and policy makers for prevention of biodiversity.

20. What do you mean by biosphere?

Ans: The biosphere is a worldwide ecosystem made up of living organisms (biota) and
the nonliving (abiotic) components that provide them with energy and nutrition. It includes
the atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere.

21. What are the factors that affect the natural habitat of endemic species?

Ans: Factors affecting the natural habitat of endemic species are as follows:

i. Destruction of natural habitat of the species.

ii. Introduction of stronger species in the same habitat.

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22. What is biological diversity?

Ans: Biological diversity, also known as biodiversity, refers to the wide range of creatures
that exist on the planet, as well as their interrelationships and interactions with the
environment.

23. Write a short note on the Red Data Book?

Ans: The Red Data Book is a database that maintains track of all endangered animals and
plants. The International Union for Conservation of Nature maintains the Red Data Book
on a global scale. India also keeps a Red Data Book for flora and animals that can be found
in the country.

24. What are flora and fauna?

Ans: Difference between flora and fauna are as follows:

Flora Fauna

It includes all kinds of plant It includes all kinds of animals

Study of flora is called botany Study of fauna is called zoology

They lack mobility They are mobile

E.g. Rose, Neem E.g. Dog, Tiger

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25. Write the causes of deforestation.

Ans: Various causes of deforestation are as follows:

i. Urbanisation.

ii. Mining

iii. Natural phenomenon such as flood, drought etc.

iv. Forest fire

v. Dam construction

vi. Increase in agricultural land.

26. Define endemic species.

Ans: Plants and animals that are indigenous to a certain geographic region are known as
endemic species. Example: Kangaroo is endemic to Australia.

27. What do you mean by endangered animals?

Ans: An endangered species is one that is on the verge of extinction, either globally or in
a specific geographic area. Example: Giant Panda, Dodo.

28. Define sanctuary.

Ans: A sanctuary is a designated place where animals and plants are brought to dwell and
are reserved for wildlife to utilize the environment and natural resources freely.

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29. Define the following.

i. Biosphere Reserves: Biosphere reserves are enormous areas of protected land

intended to conserve wildlife, plant and animal resources, as well as the traditional
way of life of the tribal people that live there.

Example: Nanda Devi, Himachal Pradesh.

ii. National Park: A national park is a protected region where wildlife can easily
access habitats and natural resources.

Example: Kanha National Park, Jim Corbett National Park etc.

30. Define species.

Ans: A species is a group of populations that live together in a certain area and can
interbreed; members of a species can only reproduce by mating with members of their
own species and not with members of other species.

31. Explain the importance of recycling paper.

Ans: It is important to recycle paper to save trees, water and energy. Paper recycling also
preserves landfill space and minimises the quantity of pollution released into the
atmosphere as a result of incineration. Recycling paper is beneficial for both humans and
the environment.

32. Define ecosystem.

Ans: An ecosystem is made up of all living and nonliving elements of the environment,
including plants, animals, and microbes in a given area, as well as non living elements
such as climate, soil, rivers, and so on.

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33. What is Project Tiger?

Ans: Project Tiger is a project initiated by the Indian government to safeguard the tiger
population in 1973. The main goal of this initiative was to assure the survival and
conservation of the country's tiger population.

Long Answer Questions: 5 marks

34. What are the consequences of deforestation?

Ans: Consequences of deforestation are as follows:

i. It decreases tree population leading to carbon dioxide increase in the atmosphere.

ii. It leads to an increase in the temperature of the earth.

iii. It also leads to soil erosion.

iv. Decrease in rainfall and soil fertility.

v. Increase in air pollution.

vi. It overall affects the earth and can lead to global warming.

35. Write a short note on biosphere reserve.

Ans: Biosphere reserves are places dedicated to biodiversity conservation.

Biosphere reserves aid in the preservation of a region's biodiversity and culture. Other
protected sites may be included in a biosphere reserve. Biosphere reserves also serve as a
means of preserving the tribals' traditional way of life in the area. There are a total 18
biosphere reserves in India.

Example: Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh and Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu

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36. Explain reforestation and its useful effects.

Ans: The process of regenerating or replanting forest areas that have been destroyed or
damaged for the benefit of civilization is known as reforestation. The terms afforestation
and reforestation are interchangeable. Reforestation can happen naturally as well but it is
time taking. The Forest Conservation Act in India aims at preservation and conservation
of natural forests.

Advantages of reforestation are as follows:

i. It helps in maintaining oxygen level.

ii. It will help in creating more natural habitat for animals.

iii. It will help in reducing carbon level and help in reducing global warming.

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