NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 7 Conservation of Plants and Animals
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 7 Conservation of Plants and Animals are given below. Here we have provided the best and error-free answers to all the exercise questions that will strengthen your foundation in science. Solving NCERT questions will assist you in grasping the content in the Crop Production and Management chapter in a better way.
In these solutions, we have answered all the intext and exercise questions provided in NCERT class 8 science textbook. NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 7 Conservation of Plants and Animals provided in this article are strictly based on the CBSE syllabus and curriculum. Students can easily download these solutions in PDF format for free or can read them online.
Conservation of Plants and Animals Class 8 Science NCERT Solutions
Exercise Questions
Question 1. Fill in the blanks.
(a) A place where animals are protected in their natural habitat is called _________ .
(b) Species found only in a particular area is known as _______ .
(c) Migratory birds fly to faraway places because of __________ changes.
Answer: (a) A place where animals are protected in their natural habitat is called Sanctuary.
(b) Species found only in a particular area is known as endemic.
(c) Migratory birds fly to faraway places because of climatic changes.
Question 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
Answer:
(a)
| Wildlife sanctuary | Biosphere Reserve |
| An area within which wild animals are protected from external dangers like hunting | An area constructed for the conservation of biodiversity |
| Adequate habitat and protection are provided for the wild animals living in a sanctuary | Several life forms like plants, animals, and micro-organisms conservation are possible in a reserve |
| Eg: Corbett national park | Eg: Nilgiri Biosphere reserve |
(b)
| Zoo | Wildlife Sanctuary |
| It is a place where animals live in artificial habitat. | It is place where animals live in natural habitat. |
| The animals are protected for public view and they are spread in small areas. | The animals are protected and conserved in very large areas. The areas are prohibited for hunting, grazing, felling trees etc. |
(c)
| Endangered Species | Extinct Species |
| The species which are on the verge of extinction are called as Endangered species. | The species of animals or plants that no longer exist are called Extinct species. |
| Eg: Bengal Tiger, Blue Whale, etc. | Eg: Caribbean monk seal, Great Auk, Passenger pigeon. |
(d)
| Flora | Fauna |
| All plant life occurring in an area is known as Flora. | All animal life occurring in an area is known as Fauna. |
| Example: Sal, teak, mango, jamun, silver ferns, arjun, etc. are the flora | Example: Chinkara, blue-bull, barking deer, cheetal, leopard, wild dog, wolf, etc. are the fauna. |
Question 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
Answer: (a) Effects of deforestation on wild animals:
Deforestation is the removal of trees or other vegetation from an area for industrial, agricultural, or other purposes. Trees and other vegetation form the habitat of many animals. Hence, if the habitat of wild animals is destroyed, then their numbers would automatically decline.
(b) Effects of deforestation on the environment:
Deforestation increases the temperature and pollution level of the environment. With the increase in the carbon dioxide level and a decrease in the oxygen level, it gives rise to global warming. It also lowers the level of ground water. Moreover, deforestation decreases the soil fertility and so, increases the chances of natural calamities.
(c) Effects of deforestation on villages:
Roots of plants hold soil particles together. In the absence of plants, the top layer of the soil will be easily removed by the action of high-speed winds or water flow. Thus, deforestation increases the chances of soil erosion. As a result, soil loses humus and become less fertile. Hence, a fertile land, which is a source of living for farmers in villages, gets converted 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 has converted the fertile lands into deserts. The natural calamities like floods and droughts are also the result of deforestation. The climate of earth has been changed due to deforestation.
(f) Effects of deforestation on the next generation:
Deforestation has affected our climate very much. Many species are at the verge of extinction because of deforestation and some species are already extinct. The next generation may not be able to see many beautiful and attractive fauna and flora. It may have to suffer from the effects of global warming, no fuel and no paper etc.
Question 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
Answer: (a) we go on cutting trees
If we go on cutting trees, the natural habitat of many animals will get completely destroyed. As a result, the biodiversity of many areas will be severely affected. Also, there will be an increase in the temperature of the Earth as a result of global warming, which can disturb the natural water cycle. As a result, there will be a change in the rainfall pattern. This could lead to floods or droughts. This will also increase the risk of soil erosion, desertification, and natural calamities.
(b) the habitat of an animal is disturbed
The survival of the animals will become difficult it their natural habitat is disturbed. They will not have any space to live and to breed. As a result they will not survive and also because of scarcity of food the animals have started wandering in the nearby villages and targeting domestic animals as their prey.
(c) the top layer of soil is exposed
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.
Question 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?
Answer: (a) Biodiversity refers to the number and variety of various life forms such as plants, animals, and micro-organisms in an area. Plants and animals depend on each other for survival. This means that the destruction of either of the two will affect the life of the other. Hence, we need to conserve biodiversity to maintain the balance of nature.
(b) Protected forests are not completely safe for wild animals because poachers have found access in these areas and killing animals. There is a need to make strict rules against poaching and trespassing.
(c) Tribals gather food, fodder, and fallen branches of trees from forests. Hence, they depend on forests for their daily requirements.
(d) The main cause of deforestation is growing urbanization and industrialization. Need for more land and resources have led to the cutting down of forests. The consequences of deforestation are desertification and natural calamities. It has also rendered many species of plants and animals unprotected and un-conserved.
(e) Red Data Book keeps the record of all the endangered animals and plants. Different record books are maintained for endangered animals and endangered plants.
(f) Migration refers to the movement of an organism or a group of organisms from its natural habitat to another place at a particular time every year. Organisms migrate from one place to another to avoid inhabitable climatic conditions or for breeding.
Question 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.
Answer: The ever increasing demand in factories and for shelter, trees are being continually cut. If we have to retain our green wealth for generations, plantation of more trees is the only option. Cutting of trees can only be justified when reforestation is done.
Reforestation is the restocking of destroyed forests by planting new trees. The trees planted should be of the same species that are generally found in the forests. We should plant as many trees as we cut. Reforestation can take place naturally also if the land is left undisturbed. The forests will establish itself over a period of time.
We have damaged our forests to such an extent that it is difficult to retain the green wealth for our future generations. So it is very important to plant more trees and to find out ways of recycling and restoring our natural wealth.
Question 7: How can you contribute to the maintenance of green wealth of your locality? Make a list of actions to be taken by you.
Answer: I can help in maintaining the green wealth of my locality by taking care of the plants and trees growing in or around my locality. I can plant more and more trees. I can also encourage the people in my locality to plant more trees by informing them about the importance of growing trees. I can make young children aware of the effects that deforestation has on our environment and on our planet. I can also ask them to water the plants daily, which will take very little of their time. I believe planting new trees is as important as taking care of the existing trees.
Question 8: Explain how deforestation leads to reduced rainfall.
Answer: Plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Fewer trees would mean that less carbon dioxide will be used up resulting in its increased amount in the atmosphere. This will lead to global warming as carbon dioxide traps the heat rays reflected by the earth. The increase in temperature on the earth disturbs the water cycle and may reduce rainfall.
Question 9: Find out the information about the national parks in your state. Identify and show their location on the outline map of India.
Answer: Do yourself according to your state.
Question 10: Why should paper be saved? Prepare a list of ways by which you can save paper.
Answer: 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:
- 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.
Question 11: Complete the word puzzle:
Down
1. Species on the verge of extinction.
2. A book carrying information about endangered species.
5. Consequence of deforestation.
Across
1. Species which have vanished.
3. Species found only in a particular habitat.
4. Variety of plants, animals and microorganisms found in an area.
Answer:
CBSE Class 8 NCERT solutions Science Chapter 7 PDF
Below we have listed the topics discussed in NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 7. The list gives you a quick look at the different topics and subtopics of this chapter.
| Section in NCERT Book | Topics Discussed |
|---|---|
| 7.1 | Deforestation and Its Causes |
| 7.2 | Consequences of Deforestation |
| 7.3 | Conservation of Forest and Wildlife |
| 7.4 | Biosphere Reserve |
| 7.5 | Flora and Fauna |
| 7.6 | Endemic Species |
| 7.7 | Wildlife Sanctuary |
| 7.8 | National Park |
| 7.9 | Red Data Book |
| 7.10 | Migration |
| 7.11 | Recycling of Paper |
| 7.12 | Reforestation |
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 7 – A Brief Discussion
CBSE Class 8 Science NCERT Solutions Chapter 7 helps students to clear their doubts and to score good marks in the board exam. All the questions are solved by experts with a detailed explanation that will help students complete their assignments & homework. Having a good grasp over CBSE NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science will further help the students in their preparation for board exams and other competitive exams such as NTSE, Olympiad, etc.