NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 7 Conservation of Plants and Animals

Exercises

Question :- 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 far away places because of _________.changes.

Answer:- (a) A place where animals are protected in their natural habitat is called Wildlife sanctuary.

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

Question :- 2. Differentiate between the following.

(a) Wildlife sanctuary and biosphere reserve

Answer:-

Wildlife Sanctuary	Biosphere Reserve
The area of a forest reserved for the protection of wild animals.	This is the area for conservation or protection of biodiversity. It also helps in the maintenance of the local culture.
For example:- Corbett national park	For example:- Nilgiri Biosphere reserve

(b) Zoo and wildlife sanctuary

Answer:-

Zoo	Wildlife Sanctuary
It is a place where animals are kept in an artificial habitat, for an exhibition purpose.	It is a protected area where animals live in their natural habitat.

(c) Endangered and extinct species

Answer:-

Endangered Species	Extinct Species
Endangered species are those species that are on the verge of extinction.	Extinct species refers to animals or plants that are no longer in existence.
For example:- Bengal Tiger, Blue Whale, etc.	Eg: Caribbean monk seal, Great Auk, Passenger pigeon, etc.

(d) Flora and fauna

Answer:-

Flora	Fauna
Plants that grow in a certain location, are collectively called Flora of that region.	Animals that found in a certain location, are collectively called Fauna of that region.

Question :- 3. Discuss the effects of deforestation on the following.

(a) Wild animals

Answer:- Deforestation will ultimately threaten the existence of animals in that particular ecosystem and may possibly leads to their extinction.

(b) Environment

Answer:- Deforestation will increase the carbon dioxide level and a decrease the oxygen level, it gives rise to global warming. It will also lower the level of ground water. It also decreases the soil fertility and hence, increases the chances of natural disaster.

(c) Villages (Rural areas)

Answer:- Deforestation may led to the decrease in soil fertility and less rainfall. And also the wood which the villagers used to sell and uses as fuel will extinct.

(d) Cities (Urban areas)

Answer:- Deforestation causes global warming in urban area, It also contributes to a rise in pollution levels and global warming.

(e) Earth

Answer:- Desertification, droughts, and floods will be more likely consequences of deforestation. The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will also rise because of it, and will cause global warming. It will interrupt the water cycle. As a result, other natural disasters will become more frequent.

(f) The next generation

Answer:- Deforestation activities have a gradual impact on our environment, both directly and indirectly. Deforestation is the sole source of soil erosion, global warming, desertification, drought, greenhouse effect, floods, and plenty of other issues.Food will be scarce, and the environment will be unclean. Due to habitat degradation, the next generation will be unable to view the majority of animal species.

Question :- 4. What will happen if.

(a) we go on cutting trees.

Answer:- If we continue to cut down trees,

Then we continue to cut down trees,
The likelihood of a natural calamity increasing.
The water cycle will be thrown off.

(b) the habitat of an animal is disturbed.

Answer:- If an animal’s habitat is damaged, the creatures will lose their native environment and become endangered.

Most animals may be forced to infiltrate human-inhabited areas in quest of food and refuge.

(c) the top layer of soil is exposed.

Answer:- If an animal’s habitat is damaged, the creatures will lose their native environment and become endangered. Most animals may be forced to infiltrate human-inhabited areas in quest of food and refuge.

Question :- 5. Answer in brief.

(a) Why should we conserve biodiversity?

Answer:- Plants and animals are mutually dependent on one another for survival. As they are linked, destroying one will lead to the destruction of the other. As a result, biodiversity must be protected in order to maintain the natural balance.

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

Answer:- People who live near forests depend on the forest’s resources to meet their daily requirements. As a result, animals living in protected forests are at risk. The animals’ survival would be threatened by the presence of humans. As a result, wild animals are killed and their products are sold for large sums of money.

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

Answer:- (c) The tribal people depend on the forests for food, medicine, clothing, shelter, fodder, and other resources. For them, depending on forests and their resources for daily needs is unavoidable.

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

Answer:- The causes of deforestation may be the following:

Natural disasters like forest fires, droughts, etc.
Overgrazing
Urbanization and industrialization
Acquiring land for cultivation.
Using excessive wood as fuel and for making furniture.

The consequences of deforestation are:

Loss of Habitat
desertification
soil erosion
Increased Greenhouse Gases
Natural calamities like floods, etc.
Increase global warming.
Coss of biodiversity
A decrease in groundwater level.
Extinction of many flora and fauna.

(e) What is Red Data Book?

Answer:- Red Data Book is a sourcebook maintains by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources (IUCN) which keeps records of all endangered plants and animals.

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

Answer:- Migration means the movement of a species from its own natural habitat to some another place during a particular period in a year for breeding or to avoid uninhabitable conditions of climate.

Question :- 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.

Answer:- Cutting down trees just to meet human needs is unjustifiable. Trees are referred to as the “lung of the earth.” They are the habitat of many animals and birds. They provide us with oxygen while also maintaining the O2-CO2 balance. They tightly hold the soil, preventing it from erosion. They also reduce floods and droughts. They contribute to the preservation of our diverse biodiversity. Cutting down trees raises the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, resulting in global warming.

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

Answer:- To contribute to the maintenance of green wealth of our locality, I will take following action:-

I will make sure that trees and seedlings are being planted on regular interval.
Garbage should not be thrown on the streets.
No one will be allowed to cut down trees.
I will Educate people on the importance of maintaining a clean and green environment.
I will make sure watering and caring for the plants on a regular basis.
I will teach everyone about Reduce, reused and recycled to conserve forests, energy, and water.

Question :- 8. Explain how deforestation leads to reduced rainfall.

Answer:- Because of Deforestation Carbon Dioxide levels in the atmosphere will increase drastically. It will lead trapping of heat radiation which will causes global warming. This rise in temperature will affect the water cycle. and thus it will result in the less rainfall.

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

Answer:-

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

Answer:- To make one tonne of clean white paper, seventeen full-grown trees must be cut. By saving paper, a great number of trees can be saved. This will also save water that is used in the paper-making process.

The following are some ideas for conserving paper:

Recycled the paper.
Use papers wisely.
Paper should not be burnt.
Writing on both sides of a piece of paper.
Raising awareness of the importance of paper among students.

Question :- 11. Complete the word puzzle.

Down

Species on the verge of extinction.
A book carrying information about endangered species.
Consequence of deforestation.

Across

Species which have vanished.
Species found only in a particular habitat.
Variety of plants, animals and microorganisms found in an area.