Conservation of Plants and Animals

Forests are home to a huge variety of plants and animals, but they are being cleared for farming, housing, factories and timber. In this chapter you will learn the causes of deforestation and its consequences: rising temperature and pollution, more carbon dioxide in the air, lower rainfall, soil erosion, floods, droughts and even desertification. You will understand the meaning of biodiversity, flora and fauna, and why species become endangered or extinct. Endemic species are found only in a particular area, such as the sal and wild mango, the Indian giant squirrel and the flying squirrel of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. To protect wildlife, the government has set up wildlife sanctuaries, national parks such as Satpura National Park, known for its fine teak, and biosphere reserves, and runs programmes like Project Tiger, launched in 1973. You will also learn about the Red Data Book of endangered species, the migration of birds, recycling paper to save trees, and reforestation.

Detailed Worksheet: Conservation of Plants and Animals Section A - Definitions (10 marks) 1. What is deforestation? Give two causes of deforestation. (2 marks) 2. What is biodiversity? Define flora and fauna, with one example each from the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. (2 marks) 3. What are endemic species? Name two endemic animals of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. (2 marks) 4. Distinguish between endangered species and extinct species, giving one example of each. (2 marks) 5. Distinguish between a wildlife sanctuary, a national park and a biosphere reserve. (2 marks) Section B - Calculations and Applications (15 marks) 6. About 17 full-grown trees are cut to make 1 tonne of paper. A school of 1200 students uses about 2 kg of paper per student per year. (i) How many trees are used for the school's yearly paper? (ii) How many trees would be saved if half of this paper were recycled? (3 marks) 7. The forest area of a district was 2000 km^2 in 2005 and 1700 km^2 in 2025. (i) Find the area lost and the percentage loss. (ii) Find the average loss per year. (iii) If this rate continues, in which year will the forest area be 1400 km^2? (3 marks) 8. Classify the following from the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve as flora or fauna, and mark those that are endemic: sal, teak, wild mango, Indian giant squirrel, flying squirrel, bison, tiger, leopard. (3 marks) 9. Arrange the following as a chain of causes and effects of deforestation: soil loses its fertility and is washed away; trees are cut on a large scale; fertile land slowly turns into desert; there are no roots to hold the soil. (3 marks) 10. A flock of migratory birds flies about 5000 km from its breeding ground to a wetland in India. If the birds fly at an average speed of 50 km/h for 10 hours a day, how many days does the journey take? Give two reasons why birds migrate. (3 marks) Section C - Diagrams (10 marks) 11. Draw a flowchart showing the consequences of deforestation, including its effects on temperature, rainfall, soil, water and wildlife. (4 marks) 12. Draw a labelled diagram of a biosphere reserve showing its core zone, buffer zone and transition zone, and write what activities are allowed in each. (3 marks) 13. Draw a concept map showing the types of protected areas in India, with one example of each and the purpose of each. (3 marks) Section D - Analysis and Higher-order Thinking (15 marks) 14. A company proposes to cut 100 old trees for a road and to plant 200 saplings elsewhere. Evaluate this proposal, explaining why reforestation cannot fully replace a natural forest. Explain the purpose of laws like the Forest (Conservation) Act. (5 marks) 15. Explain why Project Tiger was launched in 1973. Why is the tiger important for the forest ecosystem? Describe two threats to tigers and two steps taken to protect them. (5 marks) 16. What is the Red Data Book? Explain how the extinction of one species can affect others in a food chain, using a simple example. Suggest three things students can do to help conserve wildlife. (5 marks) Instructions: Time allowed 2 hours. Attempt all sections. Draw flowcharts and diagrams neatly, and use examples from Indian forests and protected areas wherever possible.