Q 1 – What is biodiversity?
Ans. Biodiversity itself is a combination of two words, Bio (life) and diversity (variety). In simple wTords, biodiversity is the number and variety of organisms found within a specified geographic region. It refers to the varieties of plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form. It relates to the variability among living organisms on the earth, including the variability within and between the species and that within and between the ecosystems.
Q 2 – What ‘are the different levels of biodiversity?
Ans. Biodiversity itself is a combination of two words, Bio (life) and diversity (variety).
In simple words, biodiversity is the number and variety of organisms found within a specified geographic region. It is a result of hundreds of millions of years of evolutionary history. Biodiversity can be discussed at three levels:
- Genetic diversity;
- Species diversity;
- Ecosystem diversity.
1. Genetic diversity: Genetic diversity refers to the variation of genes within species.
2. Species diversity: Species diversity refers to the variety of species. It relates to the number of species in a defined area. The diversity of species can be measured through its richness, abundance and types.
3. Ecosystem diversity: The broad differences between ecosystem types and the diversity of habitats and ecological processes occurring within each ecosystem type constitute the ecosystem diversity.
Q 3 – What do you understand by ‘hotspots’?
Ans. Some areas are richer in species than others. Areas rich in species diversity are called hotspots of diversity. Hotspots are defined according to their vegetation. Plants are important because these determine the primary productivity of an ecosystem. Most, but not all, of the hotspots rely on species-rich ecosystems for food, firewood, cropland, and income from timber. In Madagascar, for example, about 85 per cent of the plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world.
Q 4 – Discuss briefly the importance of animals to human kind.
Ans. The earth, its ecosystems, and its creatures are all deeply connected. Thus, the existence of many species depends on the survival of others, and don’t think human beings are an exception. As disconnected from nature as many of us humans have become, there are many animals we rely on for our benefit and wellbeing. Many animals actually help people just by performing their natural roles in their environment. And we’re benefiting from their services for free.
Q 5 – What do you understand by ‘exotic species’?
Ans. Species which are not the natural inhabitants of the local habitat but are introduced into the system, are called exotic species. There are many examples when a natural biotic community of the ecosystem suffered extensive damage because of the introduction of exotic species. During the last few decades, some animals like tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, crocodiles, minks and birds were hunted mercilessly by poachers for their horn, tusks, hides, etc. It has resulted in the rendering of certain types of organisms as endangered category.
Q 6 – What are the roles played by biodiversity in the shaping of nature?
Ans. Species of many kinds perform some function or the other in an ecosystem. Nothing in an ecosystem evolves and sustains without any reason. It implies that every organism, besides extracting its needs, also contributes something of useful to other organisms. Human beings contribute a great deal to the sustenance of ecosystems.
- Species capture and store energy, produce and decompose organic materials, help to cycle water and nutrients throughout the ecosystem, fix atmospheric gases and help regulate the climate. These functions are important for ecosystem function and human survival.
- The more diverse an ecosystem, better are the chances for the species to survive through adversities and attacks, and consequently, is more productive.
- Hence, the loss of species would decrease the ability of the system to maintain itself. Just like a species with a high genetic diversity, an ecosystem with high biodiversity may have a greater chance of adapting to environmental change.
- In other words, the more the variety of species in an ecosystem, the more stable the ecosystem is likely to be.
Q 7 – What do you know about the boundaries of the ecosystem?
Ans. An ecosystem is an area in which the inputs and outputs can be studied across its boundaries. It is only for convenience that it is considered as a separate entity. Otherwise, ecosystems are not strictly isolated. Their boundaries are indistinct and overlapping. Some movement always occurs in their materials. This movement may be from an adjacent or distinct ecosystem. For instance, a pond may be separated from an adjoining grassland, but some birds may break the barrier and feed on the fish and crabs of the pond. The movement of energy and material can be achieved by biological climate or geological processes.
Q 8 – What are the causes behind biodiversity?
Ans. Weathering mantle is the basis for the diversity of vegetation and thereby of the biodiversity. The basic cause for such weathering variations and resultant biodiversity is the input of solar energy and water.
Q 9 – Biodiversity is not evenly distributed over the earth. Explain.
Ans. Biodiversity is not found evenly on the earth. It is consistently richer in the tropics. As one approaches the polar regions, one finds larger and larger populations of fewer and fewer species.
Q 10 – Why is diversity necessary?
Ans. Diversity is essential for the development and prosperity of all living beings.
Q 11 – What is ecosystem diversity?
Ans. The broad differences between ecosystem types and the diversity of habitats and ecological processes occurring within each ecosystem type constitute the ecosystem diversity.
Q 12 – What is agro diversity?
Ans. An important aspect of biodiversity is crop diversity. It is also called agro diversity.
Q 13 – What are endangered species?
Ans. Endangered species include those species which are in danger of extinction. The IUCN publishes information about endangered species world-wide as the Red List of threatened species.
Q 14 – What are rare species?
Ans. Rare species are those species whose population is very small in the world. They are confined to limited areas or thinly scattered over a wider area.
Q 15 – What is mega diversity centre?
Ans. There are some countries which are situated in the tropical region; they possess a large number of the world’s species divershy. They are called mega diversity centres.
Q 16 – Name the countries which have highest biodiversity.
Ans. There are 12 such countries, namely Mexico. Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia in which these centres are located.
Q 17 – What provisions have been made under Wild Life Protection Act, 1972?
Ans. The Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 provides for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants. This Act governs wildlife conservation and protection of endangered species by establishing national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves.
Q 18 – Write about genetic biodiversity?
Ans. Genetic biodiversity refers to the variation of genes within species. Groups of individual organisms having certain similarities in their physical characteristics are called species. Genes are the basic building blocks of various life forms. Human beings genetically belong to the homo sapiens group and also differ in their characteristics such as height, colour, physical appearance, etc., considerably. This is due to diversity. This genetic diversity is essential for a healthy breeding of population of species.
Q 19 – Explain about economic importance of biodiversity.
Ans. For all humans, biodiversity is an important resource in their day-to-day life!
- Crop diversity: One important part of biodiversity is ‘crop diversity’, which is also called agro-biodiversity.
- Manufacturing: Biodiversity is seen as a reservoir of resources to be drawn upon for the manufacture of food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products.
- Economic commodities: At the same time, it is also the origin of new conflicts dealing with rules of division and appropriation of natural resources. Some of the important economic commodities that biodiversity supplies to humankind are: food crops, livestock, forests, fish, medicinal resources, etc.
Q 20 – Explain the role of ecosystem in biodiversity.
Ans. The broad differences between ecosystem types and the diversity of habitats and ecological processes occurring within each ecosystem type constitute the ecosystem diversity. The ‘boundaries’ of communities (associations of species) and ecosystems are not very rigidly defined. Thus, the demarcation of ecosystem boundaries is difficult and complex. We are also a part of ecosystems. This fact must be drawn upon every one of us so that we live and let other species also live their lives. It is our ethical responsibility to consider that each and every species along with us have an intrinsic right to exist. Hence, it is morally wrong to voluntarily cause the extinction of any species. The level of biodiversity is a good indicator of the state of our relationships with other living species. In fact, the concept of biodiversity is an integral part of many human cultures.
Q 21 – In how many categories has the International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) classified the threatened species of plants and animals?
Ans. The International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has classified the threatened species of plants and animals into three categories for the purpose of their conservation.
- Endangered species: Endangered species includes those species which are in danger of extinction. The IUCN publishes information about endangered species worldwide as the Red List of threatened species.
- Vulnerable species: Vulnerable species includes the species which are likely to be in danger of extinction in near future if the factors threatening to their extinction continue. Survival of these species is not assured as their population has reduced greatly.
- Rare species: Rare species are those species whose population is very small in the world. They are confined to limited areas or thinly scattered over a wider area
Q 22 – How do natural calamities and illegal hunting harm biodiversity?
Ans. Natural Calamities: Natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, droughts, etc. cause damage to the flora and fauna of the earth, bringing change to the biodiversity of respective affected regions. Pesticides and other pollutants such as hydrocarbons and toxic heavy metals destroy the weak and sensitive species. Species which are not the natural inhabitants of the local habitat but are introduced into the system, are called exotic species. There are many examples when a natural biotic community of the ecosystem suffered extensive damage because of the introduction of exotic species. During the last few decades, some animals like tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, crocodiles, minks and birds were hunted mercilessly by poachers for their horn, tusks, hides, etc. It has resulted in the rendering of certain types of organisms as endangered category. Illegal Hunting: Hunting and habitat destruction contributed to a second wave of extinctions after European settlement, including:
- 16 land birds (nine species and seven subspecies).
- One of three native bat species.
- One fish.
- At least 12 invertebrates, such as snails and insects.
Q 23 – Differentiate between extinct, endangered, vulnerable and rare species with examples.
Ans. The following terms are used to describe some species of plants and animals:
- Extinct: A species is considered extinct if it has not been seen in the wild for at least fifty years.
- Endangered: Species which are at a high risk of becoming extinct in the near future, if nothing is done to improve their situation.
- Vulnerable: Species which are likely to become endangered within the next 25 years, if nothing is done to improve their situation.
- Rare: Species which have small populations or only live in a small number of places, and could become vulnerable or endangered quite quickly.
Q 24 – Biodiversity is important not only for geographers but also for economists. How?
Ans. It is rightly said that the biodiversity is important not only for geographers but also for economists. For all humans,
biodiversity is an important resource in their day-to-day life.
- Crop Diversity: One important part of biodiversity is ‘crop diversity’, which is also called agro-biodiversity.
- Manufacturing: Biodiversity is seen as a reservoir of resources to be drawn upon for the manufacture of food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products.
- Tourism: Biodiversity has given boost to tourism industry.
- Economic Commodities: At the same time, it is also the origin of new conflicts dealing with rules of division and appropriation of natural resources. Some of the important economic commodities that biodiversity supplies to humankind are: food crops, livestock, forests, fish, medicinal resources, etc.
Q 25 – What is the difference between wild life sanctuary and national parks.
Ans. National Park: A national park is just any piece of land set aside by the government not to be touched. An example would be the “Emerald Circle” that winds through the level and area. Wild Life Sanctuary: A wildlife sanctuary is a specific habitat of an animal that is endangered. An example would be the wetlands in Arkansas where the Ivory Billed Woodpecker was recently seen. This is protected in the same way that a national park is.
Q 26 – Name some biogeographic zones.
Ans. The lakes, deserts, coasts, estuaries, etc. are some biogeographic zones.
Q 27 – What does the term ‘primitive’ refer to?
Ans. The term ‘primitive’ refers to early humans who were hunters and gatherers.
Q 28 – During which geological period the mammals go extinct from the earth?
Ans. The mammals got extinct from the earth during the Pleistocene age about 2 million years ago.
Q 29 – What is the goal of conservation strategy?
Ans. The goal of conservation strategy is to ensure that evolution continues allowing natural forces to maintain and evolve species.
Q 30 – Name some national parks of the country.
Ans. Some important national parks of the country are Kaziranga National Park, Sundarbans, Hazaribagh National Park, and Corbett National Park.
Q 31 – Name the two sources providing food to man.
Ans. Plants and animals.
Q 32 – What do you understand by species diversity?
Ans. The variation in the physical features of the species.
Q 33 – What are the different types of biodiversity?
Ans. There are three types of biodiversity: Genetic, Ecosystem, and Species diversity.
Q 34 – What were the main causes of the extinction of mammals in the Pleistocene period?
Ans. The main causes were:
- Over killing of animals by humans.
- Deterioration in climate.
Q 35 – How much percentage of the known plants and animals of the world are at risk of extinction?
Ans. About 8% of wild plants and 22% of animals are at the risk of extinction.
Q 36 – What are the major determinants of nature and the extent of a biome?
Ans. The rainfall, temperature range, nature, soil, barriers, latitude, and altitude are the major determinants of the nature and extent of a biome.
Q 37 – Where would you find the greatest variety of hoofed herbivore species?
Ans. The greatest variety of hoofed herbivorous species is found in tropical savanna.
Q 38 – Give some examples of hoofed herbivore species.
Ans. They include zebra, giraffe, elephant, kangaroos, and several kinds of antelopes.
Q 39 – Which areas in the world consist of deciduous forests?
Ans. The deciduous forests are found in the temperate regions of north-central Europe, eastern Asia, and the eastern United States
Q 40 – Name the principal grasslands of the world.
Ans. The principal grasslands of-the world include Prairies to Canada and the USA, the Pampas of South America, the Steppes of Europe and Asia, and Veldts of Africa.
Q 41 – What constitutes the dominant vegetation of Taiga?
Ans. Pine, fir, cedar, hemlock, and spruce constitute the dominant vegetation of Taiga.
Q 42 – Identify the important determinants of marine ecosystems.
Ans. The important determinants of marine ecosystems are depth of water, distance from the snow, and drainage of glaciers and rivers.
Q 43 – Mention three vertical zones of the ocean on the basis of the availability of light for photosynthesis
Ans. The three zones of oceans on the basis of the availability of light for photosynthesis are photic, aphotic, and abyssal zones.
Q 44 – Define agro-ecology.
Ans. The study of the relationship between agricultural scope and environment is called agro-ecology.
Q 45 – What is ecology?
Ans. Ecology is the science that studies the interaction of organisms with their environment.
Q 46 – Name the positive biotic interactions.
Ans. Mutualism and communalism are two positive biotic interactions.
Q 47 – Give two examples of fungi,
Ans. Yeasts and mushrooms are two examples of fungi.
Q 48 – How many species of living organisms exist today?
Ans. Over5 million species of living organisms exist in the world today.
Q 49 – Name some important abiotic factors of the environment.
Ans. Temperature, water, light, humidity, wind, topography, and mineral elements are some of the important factors of the environment.
Q 50 – Give two examples of herbivores and carnivores each.
Ans. Cattle and deer are herbivores, whereas tigers and lions are carnivores.
Q 51 – What is meant by “Homosapien”?
Ans. Homo’ means ‘man’ and ‘sapient’ means ‘wise’. Homosapien is one of the species of the animal kingdom to which human beings belong. Because of their unique characteristic of wisdom’, human beings are separated from other animal species.
Q 52 – Define ‘ecosystem’ with examples.
Ans. The biotic community, along with the physical environment forms an interacting system called the ecosystem. An ecosystem can be natural or artificial, temporary or permanent. A large grassland or a forest, a small 1 tract in a forest or a single log, an edge of a pond, a village, an aquarium, or a manned spaceship can all be regarded as an ecosystem.
Q 53 – Describe various structural components of an ecosystem.
Ans. Various structural components of an ecosystem are classified into two main groups:
- biotic or living, and
- abiotic or non-living.
The biotic component of an ecosystem comprises the kinds, numbers, and distribution of living organisms. The abiotic component consists of the kinds, quantity, and distribution of living organisms. The abiotic component consists of the kinds, quantity, and distribution of physical and chemical factors such as light, temperature, water, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and minerals.
Q 54 – How does the background of the habitat determine the distribution of animals?
Ans. The background of the habitat determines the distribution of animals by enabling them to camouflage against the color, general texture, and pattern. Desert animals like the lion and the camel are sand-colored. Most of the jellyfish, sea cucumbers are lassy. The chameleon changes its color according to its background.
Q 55 – How are plants important to human beings?
Ans. Plants produce substantial volumes of food for human beings. Besides producing varieties of food crops for man, plants also provide food to their domesticated animals. They also supply timber to serve various requirements of human beings.
Q 56 – What are different types of biodiversity?
Ans. Biodiversity exists at three levels, viz.,
- Species diversity, which is reflected by morphological, physiological, and genetic features,
- Genetic diversity, which comprises genetic or other variations within a species, and
- Ecosystem diversity, which is reflected in diverse bio-geographic zones such as lakes, deserts, coasts, estuaries,
etc.
Q 57 – What is meant by eutrophication?
Ans. Eutrophication is a process that leads to the destruction of the biotic life of water bodies due to the flow of rich effluents into the nutrient water bodies. This destroys or kills the animal and plant life by the deprivation of oxygen.
Q 58 – Give examples of few sanctuaries of the country.
Ans. Some important sanctuaries of the countries are:
- Annalia Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- Jaldapara Sanctuary (West Bengal)
- Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary (Rajasthan)
- Sultanpur Lake Bird Sanctuary (Haryana)
- Nagarjun Sagar Sanctuary (Andhra Pradesh)
- Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary (Orissa).
Q 59 – What kind of people the early humans were from an ecological point of view?
Ans. The early humans were hunters and gatherers. They may be called primitive. But they were not backward from the ecological point of view. Because their lifestyle was a successful adaptation to the call of nature given the knowledge and technology of life.
Q 60 – When and why did the mammals go extinct from the earth?
Ans. The prehistoric overkill by early humans in association with deterioration in climate has been recognized as the principal causes for the mammal extinction during the geological period of the Pleistocene, some 2 million years ago.
Q 61 – What purpose was behind the Wild Life (Protection) Act?
Ans. The Wild Life Act was passed by the Government of India in 1972. The purpose was to protect, preserve and propagate varied natural bounty. Therefore, several national parks and sanctuaries were established to serve this purpose. There are 66 national parks and 368 sanctuaries in India today.
Q 62 – What is the conservation of biodiversity?
Ans. Conservation means ‘preservation’ of bio-diversity. The goal of conservation strategy is to ensure that evolution continues allowing natural forces to maintain and evolve species. It will maintain gene pools and retain genetic traits that may prove valuable in the future. Conservation also includes future efforts to protect species and to prevent rare ones from extinction.
Q 63 – What is meant by ‘Green Revolution’?
Ans. Green Revolution is related to agricultural development in India. It came in the 1970s when due to the planned efforts of the government of India, new varieties of seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, and pesticides were introduced to the farmers. This resulted in surplus agricultural production, particularly of foodgrains like wheat and rice.
Q 64 – What are the different types of biodiversity?
Ans. The green revolution is the outcome of a new variety of seeds and fertilizers. It is also the source of air, water, and land pollution.
Q 65 – Describe the flora and fauna of deciduous forests.
Ans. The flora (vegetation) of deciduous forests comprises broad-leaved, hardwood trees such as oak, elm, birch, maple, and hickory.
The fauna includes frogs, salamanders, turtles, snakes, lizards, squirrels, rabbits, deer, bears, raccoons, foxes, and songbirds.
Q 66 – Discuss the human developments that led to a negative impact on the biotic resources of the earth in the modern period.
Ans. The modem period is the age of industry and urbanization. The population is growing enabled with more lands being cleared of their forests, more soils being filled to grow crops, and more areas being used to erect homes, construct roads, build parking lots, and all the activities that channel resources toward urban locations. The loss of soil, movement of nutrients, and contamination of the environment with tonic materials are syrup to make of the excessive use of energy and unchecked outputs. Virtually every urban and industrial activity has a negative impact on water quality. Industrial and urban sewerage contain hazardous substances and cause eutrophication, diminishing the quality of the freshwater system. Human manipulation of nature has resulted in fragmented and incomplete systems. All these developments have a negative impact on the biotic resources of the earth.
Q 67 – Distinguish between exploitation and conservation of forest.
Ans. Both the acts are related to human usage of forests as a resource and are contradictory to each other. Exploitation means the usage of forests by human beings in an unfair and selfish manner for one’s own advantage or profit. On the contrary, conservation means the protection of forests. Here also man exploits the forest resources, but with a cautious effort, i.e. in such a manner that the evolution of species continues, preventing rare ones from extinction.
There are two levels of biodiversity. Genetic diversity comprises the genetic and related variations within the plant or animal species. It is concerned with their origin and evolution. On the other hand, species diversity is reflected by morphological and physiological features of the plant and animal species. It is related to the form and structure.
Q 68 – Distinguish between a National Park and a Sanctuary.
Ans. National Parks: A national park is an area that is strictly reserved for the betterment of the wildlife and where activities like presenting, grazing, or cultivation are not permitted. In these parks, ‘ even the private ownership rights are not allowed. There are 66 national parks in India. Some important national parks are Kaziranga National Park (Assam), Sunderbans (West Bengal), Hazaribagh National Park (Jharkhand), Corbett National Park (Uttaranchal).
Sanctuary: Some important sanctuaries of the countries are:
- Annalia Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- Jaldapara Sanctuary (West Bengal)
- Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary (Rajasthan)
- Sultanpur Lake Bird Sanctuary (Haryana)
- Nagarjun Sagar Sanctuary (Andhra Pradesh)
- Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary (Orissa).
Q 69 – Write a short note on the man-made ecosystems.
Ans. Humans have changed the environment to a far greater .p extent than any other species. In some instances, the modification is so profound that we call them man-made or artificial ecosystems. These are of variable stability and duration. Villages and cities, orchards and plantations, gardens and parks with their plants and animals are familiar; examples of the man-made terrestrial ecosystem. Large dams and reservoirs, lakes, canals, small fishery, tanks, and aquarium are examples of the man-made aquatic ecosystem.
The most important man-made modifications in the biotic community came with the use of fire, cultivation of plants, and domestication of animals.
All man-made ecosystems including agroecosystems are simpler and highly efficient. They lack the diversity of natural ecosystems. The consequence of diversity is stability. A simple system, on the other hand, is more vulnerable to sudden changes. A single crop agrosystem, for example, may be totally destroyed by drought, floods, diseases, pests, etc. A diversified system, on the other hand, has scope for many adjustments and substitutions.