Conservation of Plants and Animals
Science Class Eight
NCERT Exercise Solution
Conservation of Plants and Animals Question (1) Fill in the blanks.
(a) A place where animals are protected in their natural habitat is called ______.
Answer (a) A place where animals are protected in their natural habitat is called sanctuary or wildlife sanctuary.
(b) Species found only in a particular area is known as _________
Answer (b) Species found only in a particular area is known as endemic species.
(c) Migratory birds fly to far away places because of ______ changes.
Answer (c) Migratory birds fly to far away places because of climatic changes.
Conservation of Plants and Animals Question (2) Differentiate between the following.
(a) Wildlife sanctuary and biosphere reserve
Answer
| Difference between Wildlife Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Wildlife Sanctuary | Biosphere Reserve |
| Wildlife Sanctuary is a large area where animals are protected from possible danger from human along with their habitat. | Biosphere Reserve is a larger area protected than wildlife sanctuary where biodiversity is conserved. |
| In a wildlife sanctuary suitable living condition is provided to wildlife animals. | In a biodiversity reserve various life forms such as plants, animals, and other microorganisms are conserved. |
| A wildlife sanctuary is especially dedicated to wildlife. | A biodiversity reserve is dedicated to all type of flora and fauna. |
| A wildlife sanctuary has comparatively smaller area than a biodiversity reserve. | A biodiversity reserve has usually a larger area than a wildlife sanctuary. |
(b) Zoo and wildlife sanctuary
Answer
| Difference between a Zoo and Wildlife Sanctuary | |
|---|---|
| Zoo | Wildlife Santuary |
| Zoo is an artificial small forest like area. | Wildlife Sanctuary is a natural forest area. |
| In Zoo animals are kept in protected area such as under fencing to exhibit. | In Wildlife sanctuary animals are kept protected from hunting and other possible disturbance from public. |
| In a zoo the habitat is created artificially. | A wildlife sanctuary natural habitat is conserved. |
(c) Endangered and extinct species
Answer
| Difference between Endangered and Extinct Species | |
|---|---|
| Endangered Species | Extinct Species |
| Species whose numbers are diminishing to a level that they might face extinction are known as endangered species. | Species whose population or number are no longer in the existence are called Extinct species. |
| Tiger, Rhinoceros, Lions, Wild buffaloes, Baransingha, Sea turtle, Orangutan, Sumatran Elephant, Bald Eagle, etc. are some of the animals who are endangered today. | Dianosours are not found today, and hence dianosours is extinct animal. |
(d) Flora and fauna
Answer
| Difference between Flora & Fauna | |
|---|---|
| Flora | Fauna |
| Plants or plant's life are known as Flora. | Animals or animal's life are known as Fauna. |
| Plants or plant's life of a particular area are known as flora of that area. | Animals or animal's life of a particular area are known as fauna of that particular area. |
| Trees of sal, tak, mango, jamun, silver ferns, etc. are flora of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. | Chinkara, blue-bull, barking deer, cheetal, leopard, wild dog, etc. are known as fauna of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve |
Conservation of Plants and Animals Question (3) Discuss the effects of deforestation on the following
(a) Wild animals
Answer
Effects of deforestation on wild animals.
Deforestation, which means cutting of large number of trees, has following effects on wild animals.
(i) Natural habitat of wild life decreases.
(ii) With decrease in natural habitat foods also decreases for wild animals.
(iii) With deforestation wild animals become endangered which may leads to extinction of some of the animals.
(b) Environment
Answer
Effect of deforestation on environment
(i) Because of deforestation less plants are available to absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. This leads to more concentration of carbon dioxide and less concentration of oxygen.
(ii) Deforestation leads to increase in pollution in environment.
(iii) Deforestation leads to decrease in habitat of animals and other species which may be resulted in break in food chain.
(c) Villages (Rural areas)
Answer
Effects of deforestation in villages (Rural Areas)
(i) Agriculture is practiced mainly in rural areas. Erosion of soil is prevented by trees. Thus, deforestation leads to flood which resulted in the less production of agriculture produce.
(ii) Many of the villagers depend on forest for fuel to cook food. Thus, deforestation may leads to shortage of fuel to cook food especially in rural areas. However in most of the village these days cooking gas is used instead of that a large number of rural population depends on forest to get fuel to cook food.
(iii) Many of the villagers especially tribals earn their livelihood from forest. Thus deforestation may leads to threat to earn the livelihood of villagers.
(d) Cities (Urban areas)
Answer
Effects of deforestation on Cities (Urban areas)
(i) Pollution may increase in urban cities as in cities many factories and vehicles emit harmful gases and plants act as purifier.
(ii) With increase in pollution, concentration of carbon dioxide gas increases which leads to global warming.
(iii) Deforestation may leads to harsh climate especially in cities.
(e) Earth
Answer
Effect of deforestation on earth
(i) Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Thus deforestation leads to increase the level of carbon dioxide which resulting in the form of global warming. And decrease the level of oxygen on the earth which is necessary to live.
(ii) Deforestation leads to air pollution too much.
(iii) Plants act as anchor to hold soil. Thus, deforestation is resulting in the form of soil erosion which leads to draught and flood. And ultimately leads to famine and other many natural calamities on earth.
(iv) Deforestation leads to reduce the habitat of many animals and species which may leads to threat of breaking food chain.
(f) The next generation
Answer
Effects of deforestation on next generation
(i) Deforestation leads to air pollution.
(ii) Deforestation leads to more concentration of carbon dioxide as less trees are available to absorb carbon dioxide which resulted in global warming.
(iii) Deforestation leads to erosion of soil which is resulted in the form of barren land and desertation.
If deforestation continues, then earth would not be left habitable for next generation and their survival become more and more difficult.
Reference: