Indraprastha WORLD SCHOOL

Paschim Vihar, New Delhi – 63

Session 2024-2025
Model Answers
Class 8 Subject- Science
Ch- 5 Conservation of plants and animals
NCERT QA
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
An area within which wild animals are An area constructed for the conservation of biodiversity.
protected from external dangers like hunting.
Adequate habitat and protection are provided Several life forms like plants, animals, and
for the wild animals living in a sanctuary. microorganisms conservation are possible in a reserve.
Eg: Bharatpur Bird Sancturay Eg: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
(b)
Zoo Wildlife Sanctuary
Animals are kept in artificially constructed An area within which wild animals are protected from
facilities for public exhibition. external dangers like hunting.
It is an artificial habitat, and the animals may The animals are conserved within their natural habitat
or may not adapt to the new conditions. itself. So they won’t have a problem with their
surroundings.
(c)
Endangered Species Extinct Species
The species which are on the verge of The species of animals or plants that no longer exist are
extinction are called endangered species. called extinct species.
Eg: Bengal tiger, blue whale, etc. Eg: Caribbean monk seal, great auk, passenger pigeon etc.
(d)
Flora Fauna
It is the collective name for plant life from a It is the collective name for the animal life from a
particular area. particular area.
Eg: Spurge and hogweed from the Nilgiris Eg: Langur, tiger, and tahr from the Nilgiris region.
region
3. Discuss the effects of deforestation on the following.
(a) Wild animals
(b) Environment
(c) Villages (Rural areas)
(d) Cities (Urban areas)
(e) Earth
(f) The next generation
Ans- a. Removal of trees and plant life from a particular area for the construction of industries, agriculture
or for other such purposes is termed deforestation. Plant life forms an integral part of the ecosystem as well
as the natural habitat of various animals.Destroying plant life will ultimately threaten the existence of
animals in a particular ecosystem and may lead to their extinction.
b. In plants, photosynthesis takes place through the absorption of CO2 from the earth’s atmosphere. The
percentage of CO2 in the atmosphere increases rapidly if the plant life of an area is destroyed. Increased
concentration of CO2 results in the trapping of excessive heat radiations within the Earth’s atmosphere,
contributing to global warming. This results in the rise of the temperature of the Earth and disturbs the water
cycle which occurs in nature. Hence, rainfall pattern changes, leading to droughts and floods.
c. The soil particles are held together in a place by the roots of the plants, trees and other vegetation. In the
event of water flow or a high-speed wind over the top layer of the soil, the soil particles get removed easily
as there are no plants, to hold them in place. Lately, soil erosion has increased by deforestation activities.
Soil loses fertility and humus. Hence, fertile land fit for agriculture turns into a desert.

d. The risk of natural calamities like floods and drought in urban areas has increased by deforestation. It will
also lead to global warming because of increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Global warming is a result
of continuous pollution from automobiles and industries. The water cycle in the vicinity is also affected.

e. Deforestation leads to increased chances and occurrences of desertification, droughts and floods. Level of
carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere also increases, which leads to global warming. The water cycle is
disrupted, and there is also an increased risk of natural calamities.

f. Our environment is slowly changing due to the activities of deforestation, both directly and indirectly. Soil
erosion, global warming, desertification, drought, greenhouse effect, floods and many other problems are
caused only because of deforestation. Ultimately, the next generation will face the consequences of
deforestation.

4. What will happen if

(a) we go on cutting trees
(b) the habitat of an animal is disturbed
(c) the top layer of soil is exposed
Ans- a. If we go on cutting the trees, the animals will lose their natural habitat as an essential part of their
ecosystem is destroyed. This reduces the biodiversity of the affected areas. The temperature of the Earth also
increases and paves the way to global warming. Global warming, in turn, affects the water cycle. Hence,
rainfall pattern changes, leading to droughts and floods. As a result, risks of soil erosion, global warming,
desertification, greenhouse effect increase.
b. All the basic necessities for an animal, like food, water, shelter and protection, are provided by the habitat
in which the animal lives in. the disturbance in the habitat of the animals forces them to move to another
place in search of food, water, shelter and protection. The animals, in due course, may get killed by other
animals.
c. Removing the top layer of the soil gradually exposes the lower layers of the soil. The lower layers of the
soil are hard and rocky in nature and are less fertile. This is because of the reduced quantity of humus. Soil
erosion on a continued basis will turn land barren and infertile.

5. Answer in brief.
(a) Why should we conserve biodiversity?
(b) Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals. Why?
(c) Some tribals depend on the jungle. How?
(d) What are the causes and consequences of deforestation?
(e) What is Red Data Book?
(f) What do you understand by the term migration?
Ans-a. The number and variety of various life forms, such as plants, animals and microorganisms in the
area, are called Biodiversity. Both plants and animals have a mutual dependence on each other for their
survival. As they are related to one another, the destruction of one will automatically destroy the other.
Hence, biodiversity has to be conserved in order to maintain nature’s balance.
b. People who live near the forests depend on the resources of the forests in order to fulfil their day-to-day
needs. Therefore, it is not safe for animals living in protected forests. The animals would be threatened by
the presence of the human population. This results in the killing of wild animals and selling their products
for huge sums of money.

c. The forests provide food and other resources to the tribal people. It is inevitable for them to depend on
forests and their resources for everyday needs.

d. Causes of deforestation
  In order to accommodate the ever-expanding urban population, forest areas are often cleared and
converted into lands for various uses.
 For agricultural activities, like crop cultivation and cattle grazing, forest lands are cleared.
 Firewood is a major product from the forests, and it is one of the main reasons for cutting trees on a large
scale.
Consequences of deforestation
 Soil erosion
 Loss of biodiversity
 Floods
 Droughts
 Global warming as a result of climate change
 Disruption of the water cycle

e. The Red Data Book is a sourcebook which has an international list of all plant and animal species which
are endangered, that is, on the verge of extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and
Natural resources (IUCN) maintains the books and adds/removes the names of the species by conducting a
comprehensive survey.

f. The movement of an organism or a group of organisms from its natural habitat to another place on a
standard basis at a particular time each and every year is known as migration. The organisms do so in order
to avoid uninhabitable conditions of climate or for the process of breeding.

6. In order to meet the ever-increasing demand in factories and for shelter, trees are continually being
cut. Is it justified to cut trees for such projects? Discuss and prepare a brief report.
Ans- No. Cutting trees in order to meet the ever-growing demands of the human population is not at all
justified. There are a vast number of organisms, like wild animals, insects, and birds, living in the forests.
The forests provide good-quality air for animals, birds, humans and other organisms. This is because of the
process of plant respiration by which they consume harmful carbon dioxide and give out good quality
Oxygen. Thus, they keep greenhouse gases and global warming under check. The roots of the flora of the
forests help in preventing soil erosion. Natural Calamities such as floods and droughts could also be
prevented by their presence. They help in increasing the fertility of soil and conserving the biodiversity of
the ecosystem.

Overutilisation of forests and their resources by cutting a large number of trees in order to satisfy the
demands of the ever-increasing human population leads to many long-term problems like-

 Soil erosion
 Greenhouse effect
 Global warming
 Floods
 Droughts
Besides the above-listed problems, the effects of large-scale deforestation will leave an everlasting mark on
the face of human civilisation. The balance of nature is disturbed by the destruction of trees. Hence, it is of
utmost priority and importance to conserve forests.

7. How can you contribute to the maintenance of the green wealth of your locality? Make a list of
actions to be taken by you.
Ans-I can take care of the green wealth of my locality by growing plants in my locality. I shall motivate the
people of my neighbourhood to plant more trees and take care of the existing trees by creating awareness
about the importance of plant life in an ecosystem. In order to make this possible, I would initiate the
proceedings and organise weekly events on the same. Creating awareness among the children and youth
would be of top priority as they will easily understand the issues that we are facing. Planting new trees is as
important as looking after the existing ones. So, my volunteers and I would water the plants and trees on a
regular basis.
8. Explain how deforestation leads to reduced rainfall.
Ans- Removal of trees and plant life from a particular area for the construction of industries, agriculture and
other purposes is termed Deforestation. Photosynthesis, in plant life, takes place through the absorption of
CO2 from the earth’s atmosphere. When plant life is destroyed, the Carbon Dioxide levels in the atmosphere
will increase drastically, leading to the trap of heat radiation which causes global warming. This rise in
temperature will affect the water cycle. Disturbance in the water cycle will lead to a chain of events, and in
the end, the rainfall pattern changes and results in droughts.

10. Why should the paper be saved? Prepare a list of ways by which you can save paper.
Ans- If one ton of clean white paper is to be produced, seventeen full-grown trees are cut down. Trees play a
major role in maintaining a balance in nature. So, it is essential to save paper in order to protect the trees and
avoid the impact of the loss of trees on the living organisms that depend on these trees.
Ways to save paper are-

Collection and recycling of used paper.

 Using both sides of a paper for writing.
 Spreading awareness about the importance of paper among school children and youth.
 Intelligent and proper use of paper.
RESOURCE BOOK QUESTIONS
1. “Water is renewable but oil is not.” Explain.
Ans- Water in nature can be recycled through water cycle whereas oil is a fossil fuel which is obtained fron
dead remains of plants and animals which got buried under the earth millions of years ago. That is why,
water is a renewable resource whereas oil is a non-renewable resource.
2. Why are some endemic species facing extinction?
Ans- Endemic organisms are confined to a limited geographical area. They cannot adapt or live outside their
natural habitat. Any disturbance to their habitat will adversely affect their survival. Hence, endemic
organisms are in greater danger of becoming extinct.
3. Why is it important to conserve wildlife? Give three reasons.
Ans- It is important to conserve wildlife due to following reasons
i. It maintains ecological balance
ii. Animals also have equal rights to live on this planet.
iii. Animals also benefit human beings in different ways for example- Poultry animals provide eggs and
meat, wool from sheep is used for making woollen clothes etc.
4. Why are sanctuaries made in protected areas?
Ans- The wildlife sanctuaries are established to protect the endangered species. It is quite difficult to always
relocate the animals from their natural habitat, therefore, protecting them in their natural environment is
advantageous. Hunting and poaching of animals is strictly prohibited in such areas. Humans are only
allowed to do only activities like grazing, collection of medicinal plants
5. What steps would you take to conserve endangered species?
Ans- Steps to be taken to conserve endangered species are-
a. By controlling pollution
b. Prohibiting hunting and poaching of animals
c. Reducing the use of chemical fertilisers.
d. Afforestation
e. Limiting the use of plastics and recycling it.