Exercise Solutions Available
Step-by-step answers for all textbook questions in this chapter
I. Choose the Best Answer (MCQs)
Q1. The variety of life on Earth is called
- (a) Ecosystem (b) Biodiversity (c) Habitat (d) Population
Q2. Which of the following is a wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu?
- (a) Kaziranga (b) Mudumalai (c) Gir (d) Bandipur
Q3. The Red Data Book contains
- (a) Endangered species (b) Extinct species (c) Endemic species (d) All species
Q4. An area where animals are protected from any disturbance is called a
- (a) National park (b) Zoo (c) Sanctuary (d) Biosphere reserve
Q5. Species found only in a particular region and nowhere else are called
- (a) Endangered species (b) Endemic species (c) Extinct species (d) Vulnerable species
Q6. Deforestation leads to
- (a) Increase in rainfall (b) Decrease in soil erosion (c) Increase in temperature (d) Decrease in carbon dioxide
Q7. The first national park established in India is
- (a) Kaziranga (b) Jim Corbett (c) Bandipur (d) Gir
II. Fill in the Blanks
1. The variety of life on Earth is called biodiversity. 2. Species that are in danger of extinction are called endangered species. 3. Species found only in a particular region are called endemic species. 4. The book that records endangered species is called the Red Data Book. 5. Cutting down trees on a large scale is called deforestation. 6. The process of planting trees on a large scale is called afforestation. 7. A national park is an area where animals are protected from all human activities. 8. A wildlife sanctuary is an area where only hunting is prohibited but other activities may be allowed. 9. The Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to protect tigers in India. 10. The Biosphere Reserve is a large protected area meant for conservation of biodiversity and its sustainable use.
III. True or False
IV. Match the Following
| Column I | Column II | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Corbett | First national park of India | Jim Corbett — First national park of India |
| Kaziranga | One-horned rhinoceros | Kaziranga — One-horned rhinoceros |
| Gir | Asiatic lion | Gir — Asiatic lion |
| Mudumalai | Wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu | Mudumalai — Wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu |
| Nilgiri Tahr | Endemic species of Nilgiri Hills | Nilgiri Tahr — Endemic species of Nilgiri Hills |
| Red Data Book | Record of endangered species | Red Data Book — Record of endangered species |
V. Short Answer Questions
Q1. What is deforestation? List its causes. Answer: Deforestation is the large-scale cutting down of trees in forests, leading to the destruction of forest cover.
Causes of deforestation: 1. Conversion of forest land to agricultural land 2. Urbanisation and industrialisation 3. Construction of roads, railways, and dams 4. Mining activities 5. Overgrazing by cattle 6. Forest fires 7. Commercial logging for timber and fuelwood
Q2. What are the consequences of deforestation? Answer: 1. Increase in CO₂ levels: Fewer trees mean less CO₂ absorption, leading to global warming. 2. Soil erosion: Tree roots hold soil in place. Without trees, soil is washed away by rain, reducing fertility. 3. Decreased rainfall: Trees contribute to the water cycle through transpiration. Deforestation reduces rainfall. 4. Loss of biodiversity: Destruction of habitats leads to extinction of plant and animal species. 5. Floods and droughts: Without trees to absorb rainwater, floods become more frequent. Reduced rainfall causes droughts. 6. Desertification: Loss of vegetation turns fertile land into deserts. 7. Climate change: Increased CO₂ and reduced transpiration alter local and global climate patterns.
Q3. What is the difference between endangered and endemic species? Answer:
| Property | Endangered Species | Endemic Species |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Species at risk of extinction | Species found only in a particular region |
| Distribution | May be found in multiple regions | Found only in one specific region |
| Examples | Bengal tiger, snow leopard | Nilgiri Tahr, kangaroo (Australia) |
| Threat | Facing immediate extinction risk | May or may not be threatened |
Q4. What is afforestation? Why is it important? Answer: Afforestation is the process of planting trees on a large scale in areas where there were no previous forests (or where forests were destroyed).
Importance: 1. Increases forest cover and biodiversity 2. Absorbs CO₂, reducing global warming 3. Prevents soil erosion and maintains soil fertility 4. Regulates the water cycle and increases rainfall 5. Provides habitat for wildlife 6. Supplies timber, fuel, and other forest products sustainably
Q5. What is a biosphere reserve? Answer: A biosphere reserve is a large, protected area designated for the conservation of biodiversity and its sustainable use. It has three zones: 1. Core zone: Strictly protected — no human activity allowed. It preserves the most pristine habitat. 2. Buffer zone: Limited human activities like research, education, and eco-tourism are allowed. 3. Transition zone: Sustainable development activities like agriculture and settlements are permitted.
Example: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu/Karnataka/Kerala.
Q6. Distinguish between a national park and a wildlife sanctuary. Answer:
| Property | National Park | Wildlife Sanctuary |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Protect wildlife and natural environment | Protect specific wildlife species |
| Human activities | No human activity allowed | Limited activities (grazing, firewood collection) may be allowed |
| Hunting | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Boundary | Well-defined by legislation | May not have well-defined boundaries |
| Size | Usually larger | Can be smaller |
| Examples | Jim Corbett, Kaziranga | Mudumalai, Vedanthangal |
Q7. What is Project Tiger? When was it launched? Answer: Project Tiger is a wildlife conservation programme launched by the Government of India in 1973 to protect the Bengal tiger from extinction. It was launched from Jim Corbett National Park. The project aims to: 1. Protect tigers and their natural habitats 2. Eliminate poaching and illegal trading of tiger parts 3. Create tiger reserves across India 4. Monitor tiger populations through census
India now has over 50 tiger reserves, and the tiger population has been increasing due to this project.
VI. Detailed Answer Questions
Q1. Explain the different methods of conservation of plants and animals. Answer: Conservation means the wise use and protection of natural resources. There are two main methods:
A. In-situ Conservation (Conservation in natural habitat): 1. National Parks: Large protected areas where all human activities are prohibited. Example: Jim Corbett National Park. 2. Wildlife Sanctuaries: Areas where hunting is prohibited but some human activities may be allowed. Example: Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. 3. Biosphere Reserves: Large areas with core, buffer, and transition zones for conservation and sustainable use. Example: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. 4. Sacred Groves: Small forest patches protected by local communities for religious reasons.
B. Ex-situ Conservation (Conservation outside natural habitat): 1. Zoological Parks (Zoos): Wild animals are kept in protected environments for study, breeding, and public awareness. Example: Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai. 2. Botanical Gardens: Rare and endangered plant species are grown and maintained. Example: Government Botanical Garden, Ooty. 3. Seed Banks: Seeds of different plant species are stored for future use. Example: Svalbard Global Seed Vault. 4. Cryopreservation: Storing gametes, embryos, or seeds at very low temperatures for future reproduction. 5. Tissue Culture: Growing plants from small pieces of tissue in a laboratory.
C. Other Conservation Measures: 1. Social forestry and afforestation programmes 2. Strict laws against poaching and illegal wildlife trade (Wildlife Protection Act, 1972) 3. Creating awareness through education and media 4. Eco-friendly development that does not destroy habitats
Q2. Describe the causes and effects of deforestation. Answer: Causes of Deforestation: 1. Agriculture: Forests are cleared for crop cultivation and cattle grazing. 2. Urbanisation: Expanding cities and towns require land for housing and infrastructure. 3. Industrialisation: Factories, mining, and dams require large areas of forest land. 4. Commercial logging: Trees are cut for timber, paper, and fuel. 5. Overgrazing: Cattle overgraze forest land, preventing regeneration of trees. 6. Forest fires: Natural or man-made fires destroy large forest areas. 7. Shifting cultivation: Tribals clear forests for cultivation and move to new areas when soil becomes infertile.
Effects of Deforestation: 1. Global warming: Reduced CO₂ absorption increases greenhouse gases, raising Earth's temperature. 2. Soil erosion: Without tree roots, topsoil is washed away, reducing agricultural productivity. 3. Decreased rainfall: Transpiration from trees contributes to rainfall. Deforestation reduces local rainfall. 4. Floods and droughts: Without trees to absorb water, floods occur in rainy seasons and droughts in dry seasons. 5. Loss of biodiversity: Habitats are destroyed, leading to extinction of plant and animal species. 6. Desertification: Fertile land turns into desert due to loss of vegetation and soil. 7. Displacement of tribals: Indigenous communities lose their homes and livelihoods. 8. Climate change: Altered weather patterns affect agriculture and ecosystems globally.
Q3. Write about the important protected areas in Tamil Nadu. Answer: Tamil Nadu has a rich biodiversity and several protected areas:
National Parks: 1. Guindy National Park, Chennai — One of the smallest national parks in India, located within Chennai city. Home to blackbuck, spotted deer, and various bird species. 2. Mudumalai National Park, Nilgiri — Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Home to elephants, tigers, gaurs, and langurs. 3. Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) National Park, Coimbatore — Rich in biodiversity, home to elephants, tigers, and the endangered lion-tailed macaque. 4. Mukurthi National Park, Nilgiri — Known for the Nilgiri Tahr, an endemic species.
Wildlife Sanctuaries: 1. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary — One of the oldest bird sanctuaries in India, home to migratory birds like painted storks, egrets, and herons. 2. Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary — Home to blackbuck, flamingos, and other water birds. 3. Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve — Important tiger conservation area in the Western Ghats.
Biosphere Reserve: 1. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve — Spans Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. It includes Mudumalai, Bandipur, and Nagarhole national parks.
Important species found in Tamil Nadu: Nilgiri Tahr, lion-tailed macaque, elephant, tiger, slender loris, and various endemic bird species.
Q4. What is the Red Data Book? Explain the different categories of threatened species. Answer: The Red Data Book is a document published by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) that records the status of various endangered and threatened species worldwide.
Categories of Threatened Species: 1. Extinct (EX): A species that no longer exists anywhere in the world. Example: Dodo bird, passenger pigeon. 2. Extinct in the Wild (EW): A species that exists only in captivity or cultivation. Example: Scimitar oryx. 3. Critically Endangered (CR): Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Example: Great Indian bustard, Himalayan quail. 4. Endangered (EN): High risk of extinction in the wild. Example: Bengal tiger, Indian rhinoceros, snow leopard. 5. Vulnerable (VU): High risk of endangerment if threats continue. Example: Indian elephant, great Indian hornbill. 6. Near Threatened (NT): Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future. Example: Asian golden cat. 7. Least Concern (LC): Species that are not threatened. Example: House sparrow, common pigeon.
India has many species in the endangered and vulnerable categories, including the Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion, Indian elephant, and one-horned rhinoceros.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing endangered and endemic species: Endangered = at risk of extinction. Endemic = found only in one region. An endemic species can also be endangered.
- Confusing national parks and wildlife sanctuaries: National parks have stricter protection (no human activity). Sanctuaries allow some activities like grazing.
- Saying zoos are the best conservation method: In-situ conservation (national parks, sanctuaries) is the best method. Zoos provide ex-situ conservation, which is secondary.
- Forgetting the three zones of biosphere reserves: Core (strictly protected), Buffer (limited activities), and Transition (sustainable development).
- Confusing afforestation and reforestation: Afforestation = planting trees where there were no forests. Reforestation = replanting trees where forests were cut down.
- Confusing Project Tiger with Project Elephant: Project Tiger was launched in 1973; Project Elephant was launched in 1992. Both are conservation programmes but for different animals.
Exam Checklist
- [ ] Can you define biodiversity and explain its importance?
- [ ] Can you distinguish between endangered, endemic, and extinct species?
- [ ] Can you list the causes and effects of deforestation?
- [ ] Can you distinguish between national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves?
- [ ] Can you explain in-situ and ex-situ conservation methods with examples?
- [ ] Can you describe the Red Data Book and its categories?
- [ ] Can you list important protected areas in Tamil Nadu?
- [ ] Can you explain Project Tiger and its objectives?
- [ ] Can you define afforestation and reforestation?
- [ ] Can you explain the three zones of a biosphere reserve?