Conservation of Plants and Animals Class 8 Science Chapter 7 Extra Questions and Answers are provided here. We prepared these extra questions based on the latest NCERT Class 8 Science Book. CBSE Class 8 Science Chapter 7 Conservation of Plants and Animals Extra Questions will help you to properly understand a particular concept of the chapter.

Class 8 Science Chapter 7 Conservation of Plants and Animals Extra Questions

Very Short Type Question

Question 1: Which gas is predominantly responsible for global warming?

Answer: CO₂ (carbon dioxide)

Question 2:  What are endangered species?

Answer: Endangered species are those which are facing the danger of extinction.

Question 3:  What are extinct species?

Answer: Extinct Species are those which no longer exist on earth.

Question 4: What gas do plants use in photosynthesis?
Or
Which gas is used in photosynthesis?

Answer: Plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

Question 5: Name two national parks.

Answer: Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand) and Gir National Park (Gujarat)

Question 6: What is ‘species’?

Answer: Species is a group of populations which are capable of interbreeding.

Question 7: Name the first Reserve Forest of India.

Answer: Satpura National Park is the first Reserve Forest of India.

Question 8: What is Biosphere?

Answer: Biosphere is that part of the earth in which living organisms exist or which supports life.

Question 9: What is deforestation?

Answer: Deforestation means clearing of forests and using that land for other purposes.

Question 10: What can be done to retain our ‘green wealth’ for generations?

Answer: If we have to retain our green wealth for generations, plantation of more trees is the only option.

Question 11: What is Red Data Book?

Answer: Red Data Book is the source book which keeps a record of all the endangered animals and plants.

Question 12: What do you mean by wildlife?

Answer: Wildlife means all organisms that grow or live wild in an area without being introduced by humans.

Question 13: Name two wildlife sanctuaries.

Answer: Bori wildlife sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh) and Sanjay Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary (Maharashtra)

Question 14: How many rock shelters have been identified in the Pachmarhi biosphere reserve?

Answer: A total of 55 rock shelters have been identified in Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1: What is a wildlife sanctuary?

Answer: A wildlife sanctuary is a protected area of land which is created for the protection of wild animals in their natural environment like forest.

Question 2: What are the aims of the ‘Forest Conservation Act’ in India?

Answer: This act is aimed at preservation and conservation of natural forests and meeting the basic needs of the people living in or near the forests.

Question 3: What is the purpose of making national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves?

Answer: The purpose of making national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves is to protect our flora and fauna and their habitats.

Question 4: What do the rock paintings found in the rock Shelters of Satpura National Park depict?

Answer: Figures of animals and men fighting, hunting, dancing, and playing musical instruments are depicted in these paintings.

Question 5: Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals. Why?

Answer: Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals because people living in the neighbourhood encroach upon them and destroy them.

Question 6: Some tribals depend on the jungle. How?

Answer: The forests provide food, fodder and other resources to the tribal people. Hence, they depend on forest for their daily requirements.

Question 7: What is the role of biosphere reserves?
Or
What is the purpose of biosphere reserves?

Answer: The biosphere reserves help to maintain the biodiversity and culture of that area. A biosphere reserve may also contain other protected areas in it.

Question 8: What are the protected areas which have been earmarked to protect our flora and fauna and their habitats?

Answer: To protect our flora and fauna and their habitats, protected areas called sanctuaries, national parks and biosphere reserves have been earmarked.

Question 9: What is ecosystem?

Answer: An ecosystem is made of all the plants, animals and microorganisms in an area along with non-living components such as climate, soil, river deltas, etc.

Question 10: What is ‘Project Tiger? What was the objective of this project?

Answer: Project Tiger was launched by the government to protect the tigers in the country. The objective of this project was to ensure the survival and maintenance of the tiger population in the country.

Question 11: What is global warming?

Answer: The gradual increase in the overall temperature of earth’s atmosphere due to greenhouse effect caused by the increased level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is called global warming.

Question 12: What do you understand by the term migration?

Answer: Migration is the phenomenon of movement of a species from its own habitat to some other habitat for a particular time period every year for a specific purpose like breeding.

Question 13: What is biological diversity or biodiversity?

Answer: Biological diversity or biodiversity, refers to the variety of organisms existing on the earth, their interrelationships and their relationship with the environment.

Question 14: Name some species which are endemic to Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

Answer: Sal and wild mango are two examples of the endemic flora of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. Bison, Indian giant squirrel and flying squirrel are endemic fauna of this area.

Question 15: Which is reforestation?

Answer: Reforestation is restocking of the destroyed forests by planting new trees. The planted trees should generally be of the same species which were found in that forest.

Question 16: How recycling of paper helps in the conservation of forests?

Answer: Paper is made from wood pulp that is produced from the wood of forest trees. It takes 17 full grown trees to make one tonne of paper. Therefore, we should save paper to save the forest trees.

Question 17: Why do birds migrate?

Answer: Birds migrate to far away areas every year during a particular time because of climatic changes. They fly for laying eggs as the weather in their natural habitat becomes very cold and inhospitable.

Question 18: Name some of the threatened wild animals which are protected and preserved in our wild life sanctuaries.

Answer: Some of the threatened wild animals like black buck, white eyed buck, elephant, golden cat, pink headed duck, gharial, marsh crocodile, python, rhinoceros, etc. are protected and preserved in our wild life sanctuaries.

Question 19: What are endemic species?

Answer: Endemic species are those species of plants and animals which are found exclusively in a particular area. They are not naturally found anywhere else. A particular type of animal or plant may be endemic to a zone, a state or a country.

Question 20: How does deforestation lead to frequent floods?

Answer: Deforestation leads to a decrease in the water holding capacity of the soil. The movement of water from the soil surface into the ground (infiltration rate) is reduced. A lot of rain water from deforested soil rushes into the river quickly, causing floods.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1: What is desertification?
Or
How can deforestation lead to desertification?
Or
How does deforestation lead to reduced soil fertility?

Answer: Trees roots hold the soil in position and prevent soil erosion. Fewer trees result in more soil erosion. Removal of the top layer of the soil exposes the lower, hard and rocky layers. This soil has less humus and is less fertile. Gradually the fertile land gets converted into deserts. It is called desertification.

Question 2: What is the reason for global warming?
Or
What Causes Global Warming?

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. Carbon dioxide traps the heat rays reflected by the earth. Trapping of heat rays by carbon dioxide increases the temperature of earth’s atmosphere. This will lead to global warming.

Question 3: Explain how by killing small animals, we are actually harming ourselves.

Answer: At times, we kill snakes, frogs, lizards, bats and owls ruthlessly without realising their importance in the ecosystem. By killing them we are harming ourselves. They might be small in size but their role in the ecosystem cannot be ignored. They form part of food chains and food webs which are essential for maintaining a balance in nature.

Question 4: 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. This could cause droughts.

Question 5: Differentiate between wildlife sanctuary and biosphere reserve.

Answer: Difference between wildlife sanctuary and biosphere reserve

Wildlife Sanctuary	Biosphere Reserve
Areas where animals are protected from any disturbance to them and their habitat.	Large areas of protected land for conservation of wildlife, plant and animal resources and traditional life of the tribals living in the area.
Example : Bori and Pachmarhi	Example: Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve

Question 6: Differentiate between zoo and wildlife sanctuary.

Answer: Difference between zoo and wildlife sanctuary

Zoo	Wildlife Sanctuary
In a zoo, animals and birds live in artificial settings.	In a wildlife sanctuary, animals and birds live in their natural habitat.
Animals are not comfortable living in the artificial environment of zoo.	Animals are comfortable in the natural environment of a wildlife sanctuary.

Question 7: Differentiate between endangered and extinct species.

Answer: Difference between endangered and extinct species

Endangered Species	Extinct Species
Endangered species are those which are facing the danger of extinction.	Extinct Species are those which no longer exist on earth.
Example: desert cat, tiger, snow leopard etc.	Example: dinosaur, dodo, cave lion etc.

Question 8: Differentiate between flora and fauna.

Answer: Difference between flora and fauna

Flora	Fauna
Plants that grow naturally in a particular area are called flora of that area.	Animals that live naturally in a particular area are called fauna of that area.
Example: sal, teak, mango, jamun, silver ferns, arjun, etc. are examples of the flora of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.	Example: chinkara, blue-bull, barking deer, cheetal, leopard, wild dog, wolf, etc. are examples of the fauna of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

Question 9: Why should we conserve biodiversity?
Or
Why should forests and wildlife be conserved?

Answer: Biodiversity is of great importance in order to maintain stable ecosystems. Each species has a specific role and function in an ecosystem. These roles include capturing and storing energy, providing food resources, providing medicinal resources,  decomposing organic matter, cycling water and nutrients, promoting soils formation, controlling erosion, controlling pests and climate regulation, adding to soil fertility, pollination, plant growth etc. All organisms are interdependent on others for survival; the removal of one species may have a significant effect on others.

Question 10: Differentiate between wildlife sanctuary and national park.

Answer:

Wildlife Sanctuary	National Park
1. Areas where animals are protected from any disturbance to them and their habitat.	1. Areas reserved for wild life where they can freely use the habitats and natural resources.
2. They protects and preserves the wild animals in their natural environment.	2. They preserve flora, fauna, landscape and historic objects of an area.
3. Example : Bori and Pachmarhi	3. Example: Satpura National Park

Question 11: How can you contribute to the maintenance of green wealth of your locality? Make a list of actions to be taken by you.

Answer: List of actions

• 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 plants in my locality.
• I can also encourage the people in my locality to plant more trees by educating them about the importance of growing trees.
• I can make children of our locality aware of the effects of deforestation and its effect on our environment and on our planet.

Question 12: 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: No. Cutting trees in order to meet the ever growing demands of the human population is not at all justified. We depend on forests for our survival, from the air we breathe to the wood we use. Besides providing habitats for animals and livelihoods for humans, forests also offer watershed protection, prevent soil erosion and mitigate climate change.

Yet, despite our dependence on forests, we are still allowing them to disappear. Cutting of trees in order to meet the ever-increasing demand in factories and for shelter, trees will lead to global warming, soil erosion, greenhouse effect, droughts, floods, desertification etc. The destruction of forests will disturb the balance of nature. Hence, forests must be conserved.

Question 13: Why should paper be saved? Prepare a list of ways by which you can save paper.

Answer: It takes 17 full grown trees to make one tonne of paper. Therefore, we should save paper. By this we not only save trees but also save energy and water needed for manufacturing paper. Moreover, the amount of harmful chemicals used in paper making will also be reduced.

Ways by which we can save paper

• Buy recycled paper products.
• Use both sides of a piece of paper.
• Reuse gift bags, wrapping paper and newspaper.
• Recycle paper we can’t reuse.
• Follow the golden rule: think before we print.
• Use a handkerchief instead of tissues.
• Use an erasable board for note taking and reminders at home.

Question 14: What are the advantages of reforestation?
Or
What are the benefits of reforestation?

Answer: Benefits of reforestation

• Help to maintain Oxygen Carbon dioxide balance.
• Prevents soil erosion and floods.
• Maintain water cycle.
• Helps maintain the temperature in the local environment.
• Increase rainfall in an area.
• Produces a large quantity of raw materials for industry such as paper industry, timber trade etc.
• Increases the area of earth under forests which is good for the conservation of wildlife.
• Combat climate change.

Question 15:  What are the various measures which can be taken to conserve forest and wildlife?

Answer: various measures which can be taken to conserve forest and wildlife are:

• Some of the laws should be made to ban the killing or capturing of endangered animals or birds. It should be made a punishable offense.
• More number of National Parks and Sanctuaries should be established for preserving the natural habitats of wild animals and birds throughout the country.
• Special attention should be paid even by us also to the conservation of endangered species of wild animals and birds to prevent their extinction altogether.
• The unauthorized cutting of forest trees for timber and wood for fuel should be stopped immediately.
• In case of the authorization of the Government for felling of trees, then the equal area of land should be planted with sapling of trees to make up for the loss in the long run.

Question 16:  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)If we go on cutting trees

If cutting of trees continues, rainfall and the fertility of the soil will decrease. Moreover, there will be increased chances of natural calamities such as floods and droughts. Fewer trees would mean that less carbon dioxide will be used up resulting in increase of its amount in the atmosphere. This will lead to global warming as carbon dioxide traps the heat rays reflected by the earth. Due to the destruction of forests, wildlife is disappearing. Many species have disappeared and many are on the verge of extinction.

(b) If the habitat of an animal is disturbed

• Cutting trees can result in the loss of habitat for animal species, which can harm ecosystems.
• The removal of trees and other types of vegetation reduces available food, shelter, and breeding habitat.
• Animals that lose their native habitats are forced into new areas in search of shelter and food.

(c) If the top layer of soil is exposed

Fewer trees result in more soil erosion. Removal of the top layer of the soil exposes the lower, hard and rocky layers. This soil has less humus and is less fertile. Gradually the fertile land gets converted into deserts.

Question 17:  What are the causes and consequences of deforestation?

Answer: Causes of deforestation:

• Forests are cut down to obtain more agricultural land.
• Forests shrink to a great extent to meet the requirements like for construction of roads, development of houses, mineral exploitation and expansion of industries.
• Forests are cut down to obtain wood for making paper.
• Forests are cut down to obtain wood for firewood and for making doors, windows and furniture.
• Natural factors such as forest fires and drought also causes deforestation.

Consequences of deforestation

• Deforestation will cause an increase in temperature of earth’s atmosphere leading to global warming.
• Deforestation disturbs the water cycle and may reduce rainfall. This could cause droughts.
• Deforestation leads to the change in soil properties and leads to desertification.
• Deforestation leads to extinction of many wild animals and plants.
• Deforestation also leads to a decrease in the water holding capacity of the soil. This could cause floods.

Question 18:  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 – Plant life forms the natural habitat of various animals of the ecosystem. Deforestation can lead to a direct loss of wildlife habitat as well as a general degradation of their habitat. The removal of trees and other types of vegetation reduces available food, shelter, and breeding habitat. Destroying the plant life will ultimately threaten the existence of animals in that particular ecosystem and may lead to their extinction.

(b) Effects of deforestation on environment –

• 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. This could cause droughts.
• Deforestation is a major cause which leads to the change in soil properties. Gradually the fertile land gets converted into deserts. It is called desertification.
• Deforestation also leads to a decrease in the water holding capacity of the soil. The movement of water from the soil surface into the ground is reduced. So, there are floods.

(c) Effects of deforestation on villages (Rural areas) –

• Soil erosion is increased by deforestation activities. Soil loses its fertility and humus. Gradually the fertile land gets converted into deserts. Hence, a fertile land, fit for agriculture and a source of living for farmers turns into a desert.
• Due to deforestation various wild animals run to nearby villages and cause danger to them. Villagers will not get fruits, fuel, wood due to deforestation. Moreover they are devoid of other benefits like fruit, fuel, wood etc. they get from forests.
• Deforestation may leads to frequent floods and droughts.

(d) Effects of deforestation on cities (Urban areas)

• Deforestation can increase the risk of many natural calamities such as floods and droughts in that area.
• It can lead to global warming due to an increase in the level of CO₂ in the atmosphere.

(e) Effects of deforestation on Earth

• Plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) and release oxygen (O₂). If there are fewer trees, less carbon dioxide is absorbed and therefore less oxygen is released. This is a threat to living organisms.
• Deforestation disrupts the plant and animal kingdoms. As birds, insects and other animals help with the pollination of plants and the dispersal of seeds, the loss of bird and animal species as a result of decreasing habitats, results in less pollination and there is therefore less regeneration of the forest.
• 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. This could cause droughts.
• Deforestation is a major cause which leads to the change in soil properties. Gradually the fertile land gets converted into deserts. It is called desertification.
• Deforestation also leads to a decrease in the water holding capacity of the soil. The movement of water from the soil surface into the ground is reduced. So, there are floods.

(f) Effects of deforestation on the next generation.

Deforestation affects the environment adversely. It causes soil erosion, global warming, desertification, drought, greenhouse effect, floods and many other problems. As a result, the next generations have to face the consequences of deforestation.

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