1. Fill in the blanks:

(a) _______ is a place where animals are protected in their own natural habitat.

(b) Species found only in a particular area are known as _______.

(c) Migratory birds fly to faraway places because of _______ changes.

Ans.

(a)          Sanctuary

(b)          Endemic

(c)           Climatic

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)

(b)

(c)

(d)

3. Discuss the effects of deforestation on the following.

(a) Wild Animals

(b) Environment

(c) Rural areas / Villages

(d) Urban areas / Cities

(e) Earth

(f) The next generation

Ans.

(a) Effects of deforestation on wild animals:

Removal of trees and plant life from a particular area for the construction of industries, reclamation for agriculture or for other such purposes is termed as Deforestation. Plant life forms an integral part of any ecosystem and these plants form the natural habitat of various animals of that ecosystem. Destroying the plant life will ultimately threaten the existence of animals in that particular ecosystem and may lead to their extinction.

(b) Effects of deforestation on the environment:

In plants, Photosynthesis takes place by 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 concentrations of CO2 result 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) Effects of deforestation on villages:

The soil particles are held together in 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 it in place. Thus, Soil erosion is increased by deforestation activities. Soil loses fertility and loses humus. Hence, a fertile land, fit for agriculture and a source of living for farmers turns into a desert.

(d)Effects of deforestation on cities:

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

(e) Effects of deforestation on Earth:

Deforestation leads to increased chances and occurrences of desertification, droughts and floods. Carbon Dioxide level in the earth’s atmosphere also increases which leads to global warming. Water cycle is disrupted and also there is an increased risk of natural calamities.

(f) Effects of deforestation on next generation:

Our Environment is slowly changed by 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 be facing 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

If we go on cutting the trees, the animals will lose their natural habitat as the trees, an essential part of their ecosystem are destroyed. This reduces the biodiversity of the affected areas. The temperature of the Earth also increases and gives way to global warming. Global warming, in turn, affects the water cycle. Hence, rainfall pattern changes leading to droughts and floods. Risks of soil erosion, global warming, desertification, greenhouse effect increases.

(b) If the habitat of an animal is disturbed

All the basic necessities for an animal, like food, water, shelter and protection is provided by the habitat in which the animal lives in. Disturbing the habitat of the animal forces it to move to another place in search of food, water, shelter and protection. The animal, in due course, may get killed by other animals.

(C) If the top layer of the soil is removed

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 it 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 tribal 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 micro-organisms in the area are called as Biodiversity. Both plants and animals have a mutual dependence on each other for their survival. As they are related to one another, destruction of one will automatically destroy the other. Hence, the biodiversity has to be conserved in order to maintain the nature’s balance.

(b) People who live near the forests depend on the resources of the forests in order to fulfill their day-to-day needs. Therefore, it is not safe for the animals living in the 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, fodder and other resources to the tribal people. It is inevitable for them to depend on forests and its resources for everyday needs.

(d) Causes of deforestation:

There are a lot of causes for deforestation. A few of them are listed below.

I. In order to accommodate the ever expanding urban population, forest areas are often cleared and converted into lands for various uses.

II. For agricultural activities like crop cultivation and cattle grazing, forest lands are cleared and converted.

III. Firewood is a major product from the forests and it is one of the main reasons the trees from the forests are cut down in a large scale.

Consequences of deforestation:

There are a lot of fatal consequences caused by deforestation. A few of them are listed below.

(e) Red data book is basically a source book which has an international list of all plant and animal species which are endangered, that is, on the verge if 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 of each and every year throughout its lifetime. 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 being continually 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 live in the forests and have made it their habitat. The forests provide good quality air for both animals and humans. This is because of the process of plants respiration by which, they consume the harmful carbon Dioxide and give out good quality Oxygen. Thus, overheating of the Earth’s atmosphere is reduced indirectly and also keeping 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 soil’s fertility and conserving the biodiversity of the ecosystem. That is, the trees sustain the balance of the ecosystem.

Over utilization of forests and its resources by cutting a large number of trees in order to satisfy the demands of the ever-increasing human population will lead to many long-term problems like

Besides the above-listed problems, the effects of large-scale deforestation will be leaving an everlasting mark on the face of the human civilization. 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 green wealth of your locality? Make a List of actions to be taken by you.

Ans.

I can take care of the green cover of my locality by looking after the trees and plants growing in my locality. I shall motivate the people of my neighborhood to plant more trees and take care of the existing trees by creating an awareness about the importance of the plant life in an ecosystem. In order to make this possible, I would initiate the proceedings and organize 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 face now and we will be facing in the near future. 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, Reclamation for agriculture or for other such purposes is termed as Deforestation. Photosynthesis, in plant life, takes place by the absorption of CO2 from the earth’s atmosphere. When the plant life is destroyed, the carbon Dioxide levels in the atmosphere will increase drastically leading to excessive heat radiation trap and, ultimately, Global warming. This rise in temperature will affect the water cycle that exists in nature. Disturbance in the water cycle will lead to a chain of events and in the end, the rainfall pattern changes and results in droughts.

9. Find out one national park from your state. Identify and show their location on the outline map of India.

 

Ans.

Periyar National park located in the state of Kerala.

10. Why should 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:

11.  Complete the word puzzle.

Down

Across

Ans.

Down

Across