Class 8 Science chapter 5 question answer Conservation of Plants and Animals

Conservation of Plants and Animals class 8 questions and answers: Science Class 8 chapter 5 question answer

Textbook	Ncert
Class	Class 8
Subject	Science
Chapter	Chapter 5
Chapter Name	Conservation of Plants and Animals ncert solutions
Category	Ncert Solutions
Medium	English

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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 far away places because of ______ changes.

Answer 1: (a) A place where animals are protected in their natural habitat is called a sanctuary.

(b) Species found only in a particular area are 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 2: (a) Wildlife Sanctuary vs. Biosphere Reserve

Feature	Wildlife Sanctuary	Biosphere Reserve
Definition	A protected area where animals can live freely without human interference.	A large area that includes multiple ecosystems, protecting biodiversity at a broader scale.
Purpose	Focuses on the protection of wild animals.	Aims to conserve the overall biodiversity, including plants, animals, and ecosystems.
Human Activity	Limited human activities like tourism and research are allowed.	Divided into core, buffer, and transition zones, where different levels of human activity are permitted.
Size	Smaller in comparison.	Larger and may include multiple sanctuaries and national parks.
Example	Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (India)	Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (India)

(b) Zoo vs. Wildlife Sanctuary

Feature	Zoo	Wildlife Sanctuary
Definition	A place where animals are kept in enclosures for public viewing.	A natural habitat where animals live freely and are protected.
Purpose	Entertainment, education, and conservation of animals.	Conservation and protection of wild animals in their natural habitat.
Environment	Artificially created environment.	Natural environment.
Freedom of Animals	Animals are kept in cages or enclosures.	Animals roam freely within the protected area.
Example	Delhi Zoo	Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary (India)

(c) Endangered vs. Extinct Species

Feature	Endangered Species	Extinct Species
Definition	Species that are at high risk of extinction in the near future.	Species that no longer exist anywhere on Earth.
Causes	Habitat destruction, hunting, climate change, etc.	Complete loss due to environmental changes, hunting, or habitat destruction.
Possibility of Recovery	Protection efforts can save them from extinction.	No possibility of revival.
Example	Bengal Tiger, Blue Whale	Dodo, Tasmanian Tiger

(d) Flora vs. Fauna

Feature	Flora	Fauna
Definition	Refers to the plant life of a region.	Refers to the animal life of a region.
Examples	Trees, shrubs, flowers, grass, etc.	Mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, etc.
Significance	Provides oxygen, food, and habitat.	Maintains ecological balance by consuming plants and other organisms.
Example	Mangroves in Sundarbans	Asiatic Lion in Gir Forest

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 3: Deforestation, or the large-scale removal of forests, has severe consequences on different aspects of life. Here’s how it affects each category:

(a) Effects on Wild Animals

1. Loss of Habitat – Animals lose their natural homes, leading to a decline in population.
2. Food Scarcity – Many animals depend on forests for food, and deforestation disrupts their food chain.
3. Increase in Human-Wildlife Conflicts – With no forests, animals invade human settlements in search of food, leading to conflicts.
4. Extinction of Species – Many species become endangered or extinct due to habitat destruction.

(b) Effects on the Environment

1. Climate Change – Trees absorb carbon dioxide; their removal increases greenhouse gases, leading to global warming.
2. Loss of Biodiversity – Forests support a diverse range of life; their destruction reduces biodiversity.
3. Soil Erosion – Tree roots hold soil in place. Without them, soil erosion and landslides become more common.
4. Disruption of Rainfall – Forests play a crucial role in the water cycle. Deforestation reduces rainfall, leading to droughts.

(c) Effects on Villages (Rural Areas)

1. Reduced Agricultural Productivity – Soil erosion and loss of nutrients make the land infertile.
2. Water Shortage – Less rainfall affects irrigation and drinking water supply.
3. Loss of Livelihoods – Many villagers depend on forests for wood, fruits, and medicine; deforestation affects their income.
4. Increased Natural Disasters – Floods and droughts become more frequent, affecting rural life.

(d) Effects on Cities (Urban Areas)

1. Rise in Temperature – Fewer trees mean increased heat, leading to the “urban heat island” effect.
2. Air Pollution – Trees absorb pollutants; without them, air quality worsens, increasing respiratory diseases.
3. Water Crisis – Decreased rainfall leads to water shortages in cities.
4. More Natural Disasters – Flooding becomes more common as forests no longer absorb excess rainwater.

(e) Effects on Earth

1. Global Warming – Increased CO₂ levels contribute to rising global temperatures.
2. Melting Ice Caps – Higher temperatures cause glaciers to melt, raising sea levels.
3. Desertification – Fertile land turns into deserts due to loss of trees and soil degradation.
4. Imbalance in the Ecosystem – The destruction of forests disrupts the natural balance of the Earth.

(f) Effects on the Next Generation

1. Loss of Natural Resources – Future generations may not have access to forests, wildlife, and clean air.
2. Increased Health Problems – Poor air quality, water scarcity, and climate change will impact human health.
3. Reduced Quality of Life – Extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, and food shortages will make life more difficult.
4. Threat to Survival – If deforestation continues at the current rate, it may threaten human existence.

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 4: (a) If we go on cutting the trees

The animals’ natural habitat will be lost if we continue to take down trees, as this is a crucial component of their ecology. As a result, the impacted areas’ biodiversity declines. Global warming is facilitated by an increase in Earth’s temperature. The water cycle is then impacted by climate change. As a result, variations in the pattern of rainfall cause droughts and floods. Thus, there is a greater chance of desertification, soil erosion, global warming, and the greenhouse effect.

(b) If the habitat of an animal is disturbed

The environment that an animal inhabits provides all of its basic needs, including food, water, shelter, and safety. When an animal’s habitat is disturbed, it is forced to relocate in search of food, water, shelter, and safety. Eventually, other animals might kill the creatures.

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

The lower soil layers become increasingly visible when the top layer is removed. Less fruitful hard and stony are the lowest soil layers. This is a result of the humus’s decreased abundance. If soil erosion persists, the land will become uninhabitable and sterile.

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 5: (a) The variety in life existing on the earth, their inter-relationships, and their relationships with the environment is referred to as biodiversity. We should conserve biodiversity so as to maintain the food chain. The disturbance in the food chain may affect the whole ecosystem.

(b) People who live near the forests depend on the resources of the forests in order to fulfil their day-to-day needs. Therefore, it is not safe for animals living in 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) Tribals gather food, fodder, and fallen branches of trees from forests. Hence, they depend on forests for their daily requirements.

• (d) Deforestation causes
• The reasons for deforestation are numerous. Some are mentioned in the list below.
  • I. Forest areas are frequently removed and transformed into lands for a variety of uses to make room for the constantly growing urban population.
  • II. Forest areas are cleared for agricultural purposes, such as crop production and cow grazing.
  • III. One of the primary uses of large-scale tree cutting is the production of firewood, a significant commodity from the woods.

(e) The Red Data Book is a reference book that keeps track of all endangered animal and plant species around the world. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains this database (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources).

(f) Migration is the regular, yearly movement of an individual or a group of organisms from their natural environment to a different location at a specific period. The organisms act in this way during the breeding process or to avoid climate circumstances that make them uninhabitable.

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 6: Report on the Justification of Tree Cutting for Development

Introduction: With the increasing demand for industrial expansion and housing, large-scale deforestation is taking place. This raises an important question: Is it justified to cut down trees for development?

Negative Impact of Tree Cutting:

1. Environmental Consequences: Trees play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance by absorbing CO₂ and releasing oxygen. Their destruction contributes to global warming and climate change.
2. Loss of Biodiversity: Forests are home to many species. Cutting them down destroys habitats, leading to extinction risks.
3. Soil Erosion & Natural Disasters: Tree roots bind the soil, preventing erosion and reducing the chances of floods and droughts.
4. Health Impact: Deforestation leads to poor air quality, contributing to respiratory diseases and overall decline in human health.

A Balanced Perspective: While industrial and urban development is necessary, it should not come at the cost of destroying forests. Sustainable solutions like afforestation, reforestation, and eco-friendly construction should be prioritized.

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 7: I can take care of the green wealth of my locality by growing plants in my locality. I shall motivate the people of my neighbourhood to plant more trees and take care of the existing trees by creating awareness about the importance of plant life in an ecosystem. In order to make this possible, I would initiate the proceedings and organise 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 are facing. 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.

Question 8: Explain how deforestation leads to reduced rainfall.

Answer 8: Deforestation refers to the removal of plants and other trees from the environment for industrial, agricultural, or human interests. Trees regulate the CO₂ and O₂ levels in the atmosphere and safeguard the planet from global warming.

It also aids in the preservation of the earth’s water cycle. Deforestation has the potential to disrupt the water cycle, raise global temperatures, and alter rainfall patterns. It can also cause draughts in certain areas.

Question 9: Find out about national parks in your state. Identify and show their location on the outline map of India.

Answer 9: Dudhwa National Park It is located in the Lakhimpur Kheri district, near the Indo-Nepal border.

Question 10: Why should paper be saved? Prepare a list of ways by which you can save paper.

Answer 10: Saving paper is important for both environmental and economic reasons. By conserving paper, we reduce the amount of trees that need to be cut down for paper production, which helps preserve natural ecosystems and biodiversity. Additionally, saving paper reduces energy consumption and the amount of waste generated, both of which have a positive impact on the planet.

There are several simple ways to save paper in everyday life. One way is by printing only when necessary and choosing digital formats whenever possible, such as reading e-books or using online resources. Another method is double-sided printing, which maximizes the use of each sheet. Reusing scrap paper for notes or drafts also helps to reduce waste.

Instead of using paper towels, reusable cloth towels can be used to clean surfaces, and reducing junk mail by opting for digital communication is another way. Finally, using recycled paper products in place of virgin paper contributes to saving trees and promoting sustainability. These small actions can collectively make a big difference in conserving paper and protecting the environment.

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 11:

Down

1. Endangered
2. Red Data Book
3. Deserts

Across

• Extinct
• Endemic
• Biodiversity