Chapter 5 – (d) Biodiversity And Conversation | Life Science Solution Class 10

1. Community
2. Population
3. Niche
4. Biodiversiy.

1. Number of a definite species in a region
2. Number of all species in a region
3. Number of all animals
4. Number of all plants.

1. Corbett
2. Bandipur
3. Kanha
4. Peryer.

1. Biodiversity hotspot
2. Evergreen forest
3. Ecological succession
4. None of the above.

1. vulnerable
2. endangered
3. extinct
4. rare.

1. Biodiversity
2. Threatened
3. Hotspot
4. Extinction

Very Short-Answer (VSA) type questions

Question 1

Name one hotspot in India. 

Answer

One hotspot in India is the Western Ghats.

Question 2

Name two biosphere reserve in India. 

Answer

Two biosphere reserves in India are:

1. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
2. Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve

Question 3

Name two extinct animals. 

Answer

Two extinct animals are:

1. Dodo
2. Tasmanian tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus)

Question 4

What is in-situ conservation ? 

Answer

In-situ conservation is the conservation of species in their natural habitats. It involves protecting, managing, and restoring habitats and ecosystems where threatened or endangered species occur, as well as the ecological processes and interactions that support them.

Question 5

What is red data book? 

Answer

The Red Data Book is a compilation of information about endangered and threatened species of plants and animals.

Question 6

How can you define an endangered organism?

Answer

An endangered organism is a species of plants or animals that is at risk of extinction in the near future.

Short Answer (SA) type questions

Question 1

What do you mean by biodiversity?

Answer

Biodiversity means the variety of all living things on Earth, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. It is important because it provides us with the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. Biodiversity is also important for maintaining healthy ecosystems that support human well-being and the survival of all species.

Question 2

What is a hot spot ?

Answer

A hotspot refers to a region that is characterized by a high level of biodiversity and a large number of endemic species, which means species that are found nowhere else in the world. These regions are under significant threat due to human activities such as habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution. Biodiversity hotspots are recognized as important areas for conservation and are targeted for protection and restoration efforts.

Question 3

What is IUCN ?

Answer

IUCN stands for the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is a global organization that works to conserve nature and promote sustainable development. The IUCN brings together governments, NGOs, scientists, and local communities to develop and implement conservation policies and practices.

Question 4

Mention two causes of loss of biodiversity?

Answer

Two causes of loss of biodiversity are:

1. Habitat destruction, fragmentation, and degradation due to human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture. These activities destroy the natural habitats of species, leading to their decline and extinction.
2. Overexploitation of natural resources, such as overfishing, hunting, and poaching. This can lead to the depletion of populations of species and affect their ability to reproduce and survive.

Question 5

What is extinction?

Answer

Extinction refers to the complete disappearance of a species or group of organisms from the Earth. An extinct species no longer exists on Earth, and its members are no longer living. Extinction can occur naturally, but it can also be caused by human activities, such as habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation of natural resources.

Question 6

Mention three causes of loss of biodiversity. 

Answer

Three causes of loss of biodiversity are:

1. Habitat destruction, fragmentation, and degradation due to human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture.
2. Overexploitation of natural resources, such as overfishing, hunting, and poaching.
3. Climate change, pollution, and introduction of invasive species.

Question 7

What is extinction ? Give two plant and two animal extinct species. 

Answer

Extinction refers to the complete disappearance of a species or group of organisms from the Earth. Two plant species that are extinct are:

1. Franklinia alatamaha – a flowering tree that was native to the southeastern United States
2. Mauritius hemp – a shrub that was endemic to the island of Mauritius

Two animal species that are extinct are:

1. Dodo – a flightless bird that was endemic to the island of Mauritius
2. Tasmanian tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus) – a marsupial carnivore that was native to Australia and Tasmania.

Question 8

What is biosphere reserve? Give example.

Answer

A biosphere reserve is a protected area that aims to conserve biodiversity while promoting sustainable development through a combination of conservation, research, and community development activities.

An example of a biosphere reserve is the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is located in the Western Ghats of India.

Question 9

What is National park? Give example.

Answer

A National Park is a protected area that is designated by the government for the conservation of nature and wildlife. National Parks are areas where human activities are limited to ensure that the natural environment and its wildlife are not disturbed.

India has a number of National Parks, including:

• Jim Corbett National Park
• Kaziranga National Park

Question 10

Discuss ex-situ conservaiton with example.

Answer

Ex- situ conservation is practised through a range of activities, such as captive breeding, zoos, botanical gardens, and seed banks. One example of ex-situ conservation in India is the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard. The bird is critically endangered and a captive breeding program was established to breed and release birds back into the wild to increase their population.

Question 11

Differences between In-situ and ex-situ conservation. 

Answer

In-Situ Conservation	Ex-Situ Conservation
Conservation of species in their natural habitats.	Conservation of species outside their natural habitats.
Focuses on the protection of ecosystems and habitats.	Focuses on individual species.
Uses legal protections and management practices to preserve natural habitats.	Uses techniques such as captive breeding and botanical gardens to maintain populations outside their natural habitats.

Question 12

Differences between National park and sanctuary.

Answer

National Park	Sanctuary
Primary objective is the conservation of natural ecosystems and biodiversity.	Primary objective is the conservation of a specific species or group of species.
Limited human activity is allowed, usually for the purposes of tourism and education.	Human activities are regulated and restricted to ensure the protection of the targeted species.
Can have buffer zones around the core area where limited human activity is allowed.	Does not have buffer zones.

Question 13

Differences between Endangered and extinct organisms.

Answer

Endangered Organism	Extinct Organism
At risk of becoming extinct in the near future.	No longer exists on Earth.
Population numbers are declining and the species is threatened by various factors such as habitat destruction, overexploitation, climate change, and pollution.	Complete disappearance of the species from the Earth.
Examples include Sumatran orangutan, African elephant, and Bengal tiger.	Examples include dodo, passenger pigeon, and Tasmanian tiger.

Long Answer (LA) type questions

Question 1

What is biodiversity? Discuss different types of biodiversity. 

Answer

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including the variety of species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity. It encompasses the diversity of all living things, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.

There are three main types of biodiversity:

1. Species diversity: This refers to the variety of species present in an ecosystem or on the planet as a whole. This includes the number of different species, as well as their distribution and abundance.
2. Ecosystem diversity: This refers to the variety of ecosystems and habitats found on Earth, including forests, wetlands, grasslands, deserts, and oceans. Each of these ecosystems supports a unique set of species and plays an important role in the functioning of the planet’s ecosystems.
3. Genetic diversity: This refers to the variation of genes within a species. Genetic diversity is important for the adaptation and evolution of species, and helps to ensure that species are able to survive and thrive in changing environments.

Question 2

Explain the causes of the loss of biodiversity. 

Answer

Loss of biodiversity is mainly caused by human activities that alter natural ecosystems and habitats. Some of the main causes of loss of biodiversity are:

1. Habitat destruction: This is the single biggest threat to biodiversity. Human activities such as deforestation, land use changes, urbanization, and mining, among others, have led to the destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats, resulting in the loss of many species.
2. Climate change: Rising global temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events due to climate change are leading to shifts in the distribution and abundance of many species. Some species may be able to adapt, but many are at risk of extinction.
3. Overexploitation: Unsustainable use of natural resources, such as hunting, fishing, and logging, can lead to the depletion of populations of many species, making them vulnerable to extinction.
4. Pollution: Pollution, including air, water, and soil pollution, can have significant impacts on biodiversity. Pollution can directly harm many species and their habitats, and can also disrupt ecosystem functioning, leading to indirect impacts on biodiversity.
5. Invasive species: Non-native species that are introduced to an ecosystem can outcompete native species, leading to their decline and eventual extinction. This can occur when non-native species are intentionally or accidentally introduced to a new ecosystem.

Question 3

What is a hot spot? Describe the hot spots in India. 

Answer

A hot spot is a biogeographic region that is characterized by a high level of biodiversity and a large number of endemic species that are found nowhere else on Earth. Hot spots are under significant threat from human activities, and their conservation is considered to be a high priority for the preservation of global biodiversity.

India is home to four hot spots:

1. The Western Ghats: This is a mountain range that runs along the western coast of India. It is a biodiversity hotspot due to its high level of species diversity, high levels of endemism, and the presence of many threatened species.
2. The Eastern Himalayas: This region spans India, Bhutan, and Nepal and is characterized by a unique mix of biodiversity from both the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. It is home to many endangered species, including the Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, and Indian rhinoceros.
3. The Indo-Burma region: This region includes northeastern India, Myanmar, Thailand, and parts of Vietnam, Laos, and China. It is characterized by a high level of species diversity and endemism, and is home to many threatened species, including the Asian elephant and the tiger.
4. The Sundaland: This region includes the Nicobar group of islands and is characterized by a high level of species diversity and endemism, particularly in marine ecosystems. It is home to many threatened species, including the Nicobar megapode and the Nicobar tree shrew.

Question 4

What is extinction ? Discuss the causes of extinction of organism.

Answer

Extinction is the complete disappearance of a species from the Earth. It occurs when a species is unable to adapt to changing environmental conditions, or when it is unable to compete with other species for resources.

The main causes of extinction include:

1. Habitat destruction: Human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and mining have led to the destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats, which has resulted in the loss of many species.
2. Climate change: Rising global temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events due to climate change are leading to shifts in the distribution and abundance of many species. Some species may be able to adapt, but many are at risk of extinction.
3. Overexploitation: Unsustainable use of natural resources, such as hunting, fishing, and logging, can lead to the depletion of populations of many species, making them vulnerable to extinction.
4. Pollution: Pollution, including air, water, and soil pollution, can have significant impacts on biodiversity. Pollution can directly harm many species and their habitats, and can also disrupt ecosystem functioning, leading to indirect impacts on biodiversity.