7.2 TEXT QUESTIONS:
1: Fill in the blanks:
(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.
(c) Migratory birds fly to far-away places because of climatic changes.
2: Differentiate between the following:
(a) Wildlife sanctuary and biosphere reserve (b) Zoo and wildlife sanctuary
(c) Endangered and extinct species (d) Flora and fauna
Ans. (a)
| Wildlife sanctuary | Biosphere reserve |
| (i) It is an area within which animals are protected from possible dangers such as hunting. Their habitat is also conserved in this area. | (i) It is a large protected area constructed for the conservation of biodiversity. |
| (ii) It provides protection and suitable living conditions to wild animals. | (ii) It helps in the conservation of various life forms such as plants, animals, and micro- organisms. |
(b)
| Zoo | Wild life sanctuary |
| (i) It is a facility in which animals are kept
for public exhibition. |
(i) It is an area within which animals are protected from possible dangers such as hunting. |
| (ii) It is an artificial habitat. | (ii) It conserves the natural habitat of animals. |
(c)
| Endangered species | Extinct species |
| (i) It is a population of species that is on the verge of becoming extinct. | (i) It is a population of species that no longer exists, |
| (ii) Blue whale, tiger, leopard, etc. are examples of endangered species. | (ii) Dodo, passenger pigeon, etc. are examples of extinct species. |
(d)
| Flora | Fauna |
| (i) It refers to all living plants in a particular area. | (i) It refers to all animals living in a particular area. |
| (ii) Sal, teak, mango, etc. form the flora . | (ii) Leopard, wolf, wild dog, etc. form the fauna. |
3.
Discuss the effect of deforestation on the following;(a)Wild animals (b) environment (c) Village (d) Cities (e) earth (f) next generation
Ans.
(a) Wild animals: The natural habitat of the animals is destroyed by deforestation. Without the natural habitat the animals are left with no place to live and breed. As a result of this many animals are at the verge of extinction.
(b) Environment: Deforestation has resulted in global warming. Carbon dioxide is not absorbed by plants and it gets accumulated in the atmosphere. It has an adverse effect on our ecosystem.
(c) Villages (Rural areas): The rural areas largely depend on forests for fuel, fruits, wood etc. Deforestation has reduced their resources and the uninhabited animals are also a danger for the villagers
(d) Cities (Urban areas): Cities are not directly affected by deforestation. But the changes in the climate results in calamities like flood and droughts which affect the cities also. It also leads to global warming.
(e) Earth: Deforestation has converted the fertile lands into deserts. The natural calamities like floods and droughts are also the result of deforestation. The climate of earth has been changed due to deforestation.
(f) The next generation: Deforestation has affected our climate very much. Many species are at the verge of extinction because of deforestation and some species are already extinct. The next generation may not be able to see many beautiful and attractive fauna and flora. It may have to suffer from the effects of global warming, no fuel and no paper etc.
4: What will happen if: i). We go on cutting trees.
Ans. If we go on cutting trees, rainfall and fertility of soil will decrease and the changes of natural calamities will increase. It will also lead to decrease in water holding capacity of the soil which will result in floods. Animal life will also be affected.
ii). The habitat of an animal is disturbed.
Ans.The survival of the animals will become difficult it their natural habitat is disturbed. They will not have any space to live and to breed. As a result they will not survive and also because of scarcity of food the animals have started wandering in the nearby villages and targeting domestic animals as their prey.
iii). The top layer of soil is exposed.
Ans. If the top layer of soil is exposed it will wash away with water. The removal of top layer will gradually convert the fertile land into deserts. Moreover the soil washed away with water will be deposited in the river bed resulting in decreasing the depth of rivers. The chances of floods will also increase a lot
5: Answer in brief:
i).Why should we conserve biodiversity.
Ans. We should conserve biodiversity because it is very important for all living organisms and for the environment. We should conserve biodiversity to save it from becoming extinct.
ii). Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals. Why.
Ans. Protected forests are not completely safe for wild animals because poachers have found access in these areas and killing animals. There is a need to make strict rules against poaching and trespassing.
iii). Some tribals depend on the jungle. How.
Ans. Some tribals are still dependent on the jungle for their food, fuel, wood, shelter etc. They live in forests and are dependent on them.
iv). What are the causes and consequences of deforestation.
Ans. The main cause of deforestation is growing urbanization and industrialization. Need for more land and resources have led to the cutting down of forests. The consequences of deforestation are desertification and natural calamities. It has also rendered many species of plants and animals unprotected and unconserved.
v). What is Red Data Book.
Ans. Red Data Book keeps the record of all the endangered animals and plants. Different record books are maintained for endangered animals and endangered plants.
vi). What do you understand by the term migration.
Ans. For the purpose of breeding and specific purposes some species of birds and animals move from their habitat to some other habitat. The birds move to far away areas every during a particular time because of climatic changes and return to their original habitat after some time. This periodical movement of some species is known as migration
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.
Ans. The ever increasing demand in factories and for shelter, trees are being continually cut. If we have to retain our green wealth for generations, plantation of more trees is the only option. Cutting of trees can only be justified when reforestation is done. Reforestation is the restocking of destroyed forests by planting new trees. The trees planted should be of the same species that are generally found in the forests. We should plant as many trees as we cut. Reforestation can take place naturally also if the land is left undisturbed. The forests will establish itself over a period of time.
7: How can you contribute to the maintenance of green wealth of your locality. Make a list of actions to be taken by you.
Ans. The green wealth of the locality is the responsibility of every resident. We should grow more and more plants in the locality. The resident should work together to conserve the green belt of the locality. Also they should be taught about the consequences of deforestation and global warming. I plant trees in my locality. I also teach the small children and encourage the slogan one man one tree every year, so that every resident plants at least one tree in a year and takes care of it.
8: Explain how deforestation leads to reduced rainfall.
Ans. Plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Fewer trees would mean that less carbon dioxide will be used up resulting in its increased amount in the atmosphere. This will lead to global warming as carbon dioxide traps the heat rays reflected by the earth. The increase in temperature on the earth disturbs the water cycle and may reduce rainfall.
9: Find out the information about the national parks in your state. Identify and show their location on the outline map of India.
Ans. An area strictly reserved to preserve flora, fauna, landscapes and historic objects existing in the area is called a national park. One of the nation parks located near Delhi is the Corbett National Park.
10: Why should paper be saved. Prepare a list of ways by which you can save paper.
Ans. Paper is used in our day to day life. Thousands of trees are cut to fulfil the demand of paper. If the trees are being cut for paper, there may be one day we will be left with no trees. So paper should be saved and should be used intelligently.
The ways by which we can save paper are:We should recycle the waste paper. We should not litter paper here and there. Paper should be sent through proper channel for recycling. We should not tear our old books and donate it to poor children so that they can reuse those books.
11: Complete the word puzzle:
DOWN
1. Species on the verge of extinction.
2. A book carrying information about endangered species.
5. Consequence of deforestation.
ACROSS
1. Species which have vanished.
3. Species found only in a particular habitat.
4. Variety of plants, animals and microorganisms found in an area
Ans:
