Biodiversity and ConservationClass 11 Fundamentals of Physical Geography NCERT Solutions
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Solution 1 of 13
Q11. Multiple choice questions.
(i) Conservation of biodiversity is important for :
(a)
Animals
(b)
Animals and plants
(c)
Plants
(d)
All organisms
Solution
Answer: (d) All organisms
Explanation: According to the text, all forms of life are closely interlinked, and a disturbance in one can cause an imbalance in others. The loss of species can degrade the environment and threaten the existence of all life forms, including humans. Therefore, conservation is important for the entire ecosystem and all organisms within it.
Q21. Multiple choice questions.
(ii) Threatened species are those which :
(a)
threaten others
(b)
Lion and tiger
(c)
are abundant in number
(d)
are suffering from the danger of extinction
Solution
Answer: (d) are suffering from the danger of extinction
Explanation: The text explains that The International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) classifies threatened species into categories. This includes 'Endangered Species', which are in danger of extinction, and 'Vulnerable Species', which are likely to be in danger of extinction. Therefore, the common characteristic is that they are suffering from the danger of extinction.
Q31. Multiple choice questions.
(iii) National parks and sanctuaries are established for the purpose of :
(a)
Recreation
(b)
Hunting
(c)
Pets
(d)
Conservation
Solution
Answer: (d) Conservation
Explanation: The chapter states that the Government of India passed the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, under which national parks and sanctuaries were established. The specific purpose mentioned is to "protect, preserve and propagate the variety of species within natural boundaries."
Q41. Multiple choice questions.
(iv) Biodiversity is richer in :
(a)
Tropical Regions
(b)
Polar Regions
(c)
Temperate Regions
(d)
Oceans
Solution
Answer: (a) Tropical Regions
Explanation: The text explicitly states, "Biodiversity is not found evenly on the earth. It is consistently richer in the tropics." This richness is attributed to greater inputs of solar energy and water. It also mentions that tropical rainforests contain 50 percent of the species on Earth.
Q51. Multiple choice questions.
(v) In which one of the following countries, the 'Earth Summit' was held?
(a)
the UK
(b)
Mexico
(c)
Brazil
(d)
China
Solution
Answer: (c) Brazil
Explanation: The text mentions that 156 nations, including India, signed the Convention of Biodiversity at the Earth Summit. It specifies that this summit was "held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 1992."
Q12. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) What is biodiversity?
Solution
Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, is the number and variety of organisms found within a specific geographic region. It encompasses the variety of plants, animals, and micro-organisms, the genes they contain, and the different ecosystems they form on Earth.
Q22. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(ii) What are the different levels of biodiversity?
Solution
Biodiversity can be discussed at three distinct levels:
- Genetic Diversity: The variation of genes within a species.
- Species Diversity: The variety and number of different species in a defined area.
- Ecosystem Diversity: The variety of habitats and ecological processes within different ecosystem types.
Q32. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(iii) What do you understand by 'hotspots'?
Solution
Hotspots are areas on Earth that are exceptionally rich in species diversity. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) identifies these regions to concentrate conservation efforts on areas that are most vulnerable and hold a high number of unique species.
Q42. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(iv) Discuss briefly the importance of animals to human kind.
Solution
Animals are a crucial part of biodiversity and provide significant economic benefits to humankind. They are a source of food through livestock and fish, and also provide medicinal resources. Ecologically, they are vital for maintaining the balance of ecosystems, which in turn supports human survival.
Q52. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(v) What do you understand by 'exotic species'?
Solution
Exotic species are plants or animals that are not natural inhabitants of a local habitat but are introduced into the system from another region. Their introduction can be harmful, as they can cause extensive damage to the native biotic community and disrupt the local ecosystem.
Q13. Answer the following questions in about 150 words.
(i) What are the roles played by biodiversity in the shaping of nature?
Solution
Biodiversity plays several fundamental roles in shaping nature, which can be categorized as ecological, economic, and scientific.
-
Ecological Role: Every organism in an ecosystem has a function. Species capture and store energy, decompose organic material, cycle water and nutrients, fix atmospheric gases, and help regulate the climate. A high level of biodiversity increases an ecosystem's stability and resilience, allowing it to better adapt to environmental changes and adversities. The loss of species can weaken these essential functions and compromise the system's ability to sustain itself.
-
Economic Role: For humans, biodiversity is a vast reservoir of resources. It provides food crops, livestock, fish, forests for timber, and medicinal resources. Agrobiodiversity, or crop diversity, is essential for food security. These biological resources are integral to manufacturing food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic products.
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Scientific Role: Each species offers clues about how life evolved and continues to evolve. Studying biodiversity helps us understand how life functions and the intricate roles species play in sustaining ecosystems. This understanding is crucial for humanity, as we are also a species dependent on these ecosystems for our survival.
Q23. Answer the following questions in about 150 words.
(ii) What are the major factors that are responsible for the loss of biodiversity? What steps are needed to prevent them?
Solution
The loss of biodiversity is driven by several major factors, predominantly related to human activities, alongside natural causes.
Major Factors Responsible for Loss of Biodiversity:
- Habitat Destruction: The growth in human population has led to over-exploitation of resources and large-scale deforestation, especially in tropical rainforests, which are home to 50 percent of the world's species.
- Pollution: The use of pesticides and the release of pollutants like hydrocarbons and toxic heavy metals destroy weak and sensitive species.
- Introduction of Exotic Species: When non-native species are introduced into an ecosystem, they can outcompete or harm native species, leading to a decline in the natural biotic community.
- Hunting and Poaching: Merciless hunting of animals like tigers, elephants, and rhinoceros for their tusks, horns, and hides has rendered many species endangered.
- Natural Calamities: Events such as earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and forest fires can cause significant damage to the flora and fauna in affected regions.
Steps Needed for Prevention:
- Preservation of Species and Habitats: Endangered species must be preserved through proper planning and management. Habitats where species feed, breed, and nurse their young should be safeguarded and protected.
- Legal Protection: Governments must enforce laws like the Wild Life (Protection) Act, which establishes national parks and sanctuaries. International trade in wild plants and animals must be regulated.
- Sustainable Practices: It is crucial to educate people to adopt environment-friendly practices and ensure that development is harmonious with other life forms.
- Conservation of Genetic Resources: Varieties of food crops, timber trees, livestock, and their wild relatives should be preserved to maintain genetic diversity.
- Community Involvement: The cooperation of local communities is essential for the success of conservation efforts, requiring the development of institutional structures at the local level.
Q1Project Work
Collect the names of national parks, sanctuaries and biosphere reserves of the state where your school is located and show their location on the map of India.
Solution
This is a project-based activity that requires research specific to your location. To complete this task, follow these steps:
- Identify Your State: Determine the state in which your school is located.
- Research: Use reliable sources such as official government websites (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change), encyclopedias, or geography books to find a comprehensive list of all the national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves within your state.
- Obtain a Map: Get a political or physical outline map of India that clearly shows the state boundaries.
- Locate and Mark: Carefully find the locations of each national park, sanctuary, and biosphere reserve on the map within your state's borders.
- Create a Legend: Use different symbols or colors to represent each category (e.g., a star for a national park, a circle for a sanctuary, a shaded area for a biosphere reserve). Create a legend or key on the map to explain what each symbol represents.