Class 8 Science Conservation Of Plants And Animals Worksheets
FAQs on Class 8 Science Conservation Of Plants And Animals Worksheets
1. What are some of the most frequently asked 5-mark important questions from CBSE Class 8 Science Chapter 7, Conservation of Plants and Animals?
For the 2025-26 exams, the important long-answer questions (5 marks) from this chapter often revolve around comprehensive topics. Students should prepare for questions such as:
Explain the causes and devastating consequences of deforestation on the environment, including its impact on climate, soil, and wildlife.
Differentiate between a Wildlife Sanctuary, a National Park, and a Biosphere Reserve, giving examples for each. Explain the specific objectives of each protected area.
What is the Red Data Book? Explain the different categories of species like endangered, vulnerable, and extinct, providing relevant examples.
2. How should a student structure an answer about the causes and effects of deforestation to score full marks?
To secure full marks, a well-structured answer is crucial. You should divide your answer into two clear sections:
Causes of Deforestation (Man-made and Natural): Mention points like procuring land for cultivation, building houses and factories, using wood as fuel or for furniture (man-made), and forest fires and severe droughts (natural).
Consequences of Deforestation: Detail the effects such as increased global warming due to higher carbon dioxide levels, soil erosion leading to desertification, disruption of the water cycle, and loss of biodiversity due to habitat destruction.
Always conclude by mentioning conservation measures like reforestation.
3. What are the key differences between a Wildlife Sanctuary and a National Park? This is an important question for 3 marks.
This is a classic important question. The key differences are:
Objective: A Wildlife Sanctuary primarily protects animals in their natural habitat, allowing some human activities like timber collection. A National Park provides a more stringent protection for the entire ecosystem, including flora, fauna, and historical objects, with most human activities prohibited.
Boundaries: The boundaries of a Wildlife Sanctuary are not always strictly defined, whereas a National Park has clearly demarcated boundaries set by legislation.
Access: Public access is regulated in a sanctuary but is highly restricted in a national park.
4. What are endemic species, and why are questions about them considered important for exams?
Endemic species are those species of plants and animals that are found exclusively in a particular geographical area and nowhere else in the world. For example, the Sal tree and Wild Mango are endemic flora of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. Questions on this topic are important because they test a student's understanding of biodiversity and the unique ecological value of specific regions. Destruction of their habitat leads to their extinction, highlighting the critical need for conservation.
5. How does the concept of an ecosystem connect deforestation and the endangerment of species in a high-scoring answer?
For a high-scoring answer, it's vital to show the chain reaction. An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their non-living environment. Deforestation directly destroys the habitat (the non-living and living components like trees) that provides food and shelter. This disruption breaks the food chain, forces animals to migrate or perish, and ultimately leads to a decline in their population, pushing them towards becoming endangered species. So, deforestation doesn't just remove trees; it causes the entire ecosystem to collapse.
6. What is the significance of 'Project Tiger' and why might it be part of a HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) question?
Project Tiger was a conservation programme launched in India in 1973 to protect the Bengal tiger. It could be part of a HOTS question because it represents a successful in-situ conservation strategy. An important question might not just ask what it is, but *why* it was significant. A good answer would explain that it didn't just save tigers; it conserved the entire forest ecosystem, as the tiger is an apex predator whose health reflects the health of the entire jungle. Its success demonstrates the importance of protecting 'umbrella species' to save biodiversity.
7. What is a common mistake students make when answering questions about the Red Data Book?
A common mistake is assuming the Red Data Book only lists extinct or endangered animals. It is important to clarify that it is a comprehensive sourcebook that maintains a record of all types of threatened species, including:
Endangered (EN): Species facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Vulnerable (VU): Species facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Critically Endangered (CR): Species facing an extremely high risk of extinction.
A good answer should stress that its purpose is to identify and document species that need urgent conservation attention, not just those that are already gone.
8. Why is 'reforestation' considered more complex than just planting trees, and what details are important for a complete answer?
For a complete answer, it is important to explain that reforestation is not merely planting trees, but restoring a forest ecosystem. Key details include:
Species Selection: Planting native and diverse species of trees that were originally present in the area is crucial, rather than a monoculture (planting only one type of tree).
Ecosystem Restoration: True reforestation aims to bring back the entire web of life, including undergrowth, insects, and microorganisms that support the larger fauna.
Natural Regeneration: In some cases, the best method is to leave the deforested area undisturbed, allowing it to regenerate naturally if enough seed sources are nearby. This is often more resilient.
