Class 8 Science Conservation of Plants and Animals Notes

Class 8 Science Conservation of Plants and Animals Notes

Conservation of Plants and Animals

The conservation of plants and animals is vital for maintaining the balance of ecosystems. Over-exploitation, habitat destruction, and environmental changes have resulted in the endangerment of many species, making conservation efforts even more crucial.

Why Conservation is Important?

  1. Biodiversity: Plants and animals provide essential services to the environment, such as oxygen production, water purification, and climate regulation. Their loss can disrupt these services.
  2. Food and Medicine: Many plants and animals are sources of food, medicine, and raw materials. The loss of biodiversity affects agriculture, health, and industries.
  3. Ecological Balance: Plants and animals are integral to the food chain and ecosystems. If one species goes extinct, it can affect other species and disrupt ecological balance.

Types of Conservation

  1. In-Situ Conservation (On-site Conservation)
    • This involves protecting species in their natural habitats. It includes the establishment of protected areas like national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves.
    • Example: The Jim Corbett National Park in India is a wildlife sanctuary that helps protect endangered species like the Bengal tiger.
  2. Ex-Situ Conservation (Off-site Conservation)
    • This involves conserving species outside their natural habitats, typically in controlled environments like zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and gene banks.
    • Example: Gene banks preserve seeds of endangered plants, while zoos and aquariums house endangered species in captivity.

Methods of Conservation

  1. Afforestation and Reforestation:
    • Planting trees in deforested areas and restoring damaged ecosystems help in increasing plant populations and protecting animal habitats.
  2. Wildlife Protection Acts:
    • Many countries have implemented legal measures like the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in India to prevent the hunting and trading of endangered species.
  3. Endangered Species Protection:
    • Species that are at risk of extinction are given special attention. Red data books provide information about the conservation status of species.
  4. Captive Breeding:
    • Breeding endangered animals in controlled environments (like zoos) to increase their population and reintroduce them into the wild.
  5. Pollution Control:
    • Reducing pollution in water, air, and soil is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems where plants and animals can thrive.

Threats to Plants and Animals

  1. Habitat Destruction:
    • Urbanization, deforestation, mining, and industrialization are major causes of habitat loss for many species.
  2. Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade:
    • Hunting animals for their body parts (like fur, tusks, and skin) or for illegal trade is a serious threat to endangered species.
  3. Pollution:
    • Pollution of air, water, and soil affects plant growth and harms animals. For instance, chemicals like pesticides harm both plants and animals, including humans.
  4. Climate Change:
    • Climate change due to human activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels affects habitats and disrupts the reproductive cycles of animals.
  5. Invasive Species:
    • Non-native species introduced to new environments can outcompete local species for resources, threatening native plants and animals.

Conservation Efforts in India

  1. Project Tiger:
    • Launched in 1973 to protect the tiger population in India, this project has been successful in increasing the number of tigers in the country.
  2. Chipko Movement:
    • A significant movement in India where people hugged trees to prevent them from being cut down. This helped raise awareness about deforestation and its impact on wildlife.
  3. National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries:
    • India has several protected areas, such as Kaziranga National Park (famous for the one-horned rhinoceros) and Sundarbans Mangrove Forests (home to the Bengal tiger).
  4. Biosphere Reserves:
    • India has designated several biosphere reserves, such as the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, to conserve the biodiversity of unique ecosystems.

Red Data Book and IUCN Red List

  • Red Data Book:
    • A publication that maintains records of all species that are threatened, endangered, or extinct. It is maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
  • IUCN Red List:
    • The IUCN maintains the Red List to classify species based on their conservation status. Categories include:
      • Critically Endangered: Species facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
      • Endangered: Species facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
      • Vulnerable: Species at risk of becoming endangered.

Summary

The conservation of plants and animals is critical for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring the survival of species. Conservation can be achieved through in-situ methods like creating protected areas and ex-situ methods like breeding programs in zoos. Addressing threats such as habitat destruction, poaching, and pollution is essential for the long-term survival of our planet’s biodiversity.

One-Word Questions and Answers for “Conservation of Plants and Animals”

  1. Q: What is the process of protecting plants and animals called?
    A: Conservation
  2. Q: What is the main reason for the extinction of species?
    A: Poaching
  3. Q: Which act was passed to protect wildlife in India?
    A: Wildlife Protection Act
  4. Q: What is the book that lists endangered species?
    A: Red Data Book
  5. Q: What type of conservation takes place in natural habitats?
    A: In-situ
  6. Q: What is the term for breeding animals in captivity?
    A: Captive breeding
  7. Q: Which type of conservation takes place outside natural habitats?
    A: Ex-situ
  8. Q: What is the name of the movement that aimed to stop deforestation in India?
    A: Chipko
  9. Q: What gas do plants produce in the process of photosynthesis?
    A: Oxygen
  10. Q: What is the movement to protect the tiger in India called?
    A: Project Tiger
  11. Q: Which organization maintains the Red List of endangered species?
    A: IUCN
  12. Q: What is the national park famous for the one-horned rhinoceros?
    A: Kaziranga
  13. Q: What is the largest biosphere reserve in India?
    A: Nilgiri
  14. Q: What is the term for a species that no longer exists?
    A: Extinct
  15. Q: What is the natural environment of a species?
    A: Habitat
  16. Q: What is the harmful practice of killing animals for their body parts?
    A: Poaching
  17. Q: What is the process of replanting trees in deforested areas called?
    A: Reforestation
  18. Q: What is the process of planting trees in new areas to increase forest cover?
    A: Afforestation
  19. Q: What is the term for non-native species that harm local ecosystems?
    A: Invasive
  20. Q: What is the name of the law that protects endangered species in India?
    A: Wildlife Protection Act
  21. Q: Which type of areas help protect endangered plants and animals?
    A: Sanctuaries
  22. Q: What is the reserve where the tiger population is protected?
    A: Tiger Reserve
  23. Q: What is the main goal of Project Elephant in India?
    A: Elephant protection
  24. Q: What term describes a species at risk of extinction?
    A: Endangered
  25. Q: What type of garden contains rare and endangered plant species?
    A: Botanical garden
  26. Q: What is the main focus of biosphere reserves?
    A: Biodiversity
  27. Q: Which organization protects wildlife globally?
    A: WWF (World Wildlife Fund)
  28. Q: What is the term for maintaining genetic material of species for future use?
    A: Gene banks
  29. Q: What is the name of the tiger found in India?
    A: Bengal tiger
  30. Q: Which species is an example of a critically endangered animal?
    A: Vaquita
  31. Q: What is the term for killing a species or plant illegally?
    A: Hunting
  32. Q: What term refers to an area set aside for animal protection?
    A: Sanctuary
  33. Q: What is the name of the famous sanctuary for rhinos?
    A: Kaziranga
  34. Q: What is the main environmental threat to the polar bear?
    A: Global warming
  35. Q: What type of forest is most threatened by deforestation?
    A: Rainforest
  36. Q: What is the term for saving genetic material of a species?
    A: Cryopreservation
  37. Q: Which animal is the focus of Project Tiger?
    A: Tiger
  38. Q: What is the main objective of wildlife sanctuaries?
    A: Protection
  39. Q: What term describes a species that is on the brink of extinction?
    A: Vulnerable
  40. Q: What method involves planting trees in deforested areas?
    A: Reforestation