CBSE Class 8 Science Chapter 7: Conservation of Plants and Animals NCERT Solutions

Here are the completed sentences:

1. A place where animals are protected in their natural habitat is called a wildlife sanctuary.
2. Species found only in a particular area is known as endemic species. These species are unique to a specific region and are not found naturally anywhere else.
3. Migratory birds fly to far away places because of climatic changes. They migrate to find more favorable conditions for survival, such as temperature, food availability, and breeding grounds.

Here are the key differences between the given terms:

1. Wildlife sanctuary and biosphere reserve
   • Wildlife Sanctuary: An area designated for the protection of animals where they can live freely in their natural habitat. Activities like hunting, poaching, and grazing are strictly prohibited to ensure the safety of the animals. There are approximately 440 wildlife sanctuaries in India.
   • Biosphere Reserve: A larger, protected area conserved to safeguard biodiversity and the associated cultural traditions. Biosphere reserves often include multiple protected zones like sanctuaries, national parks, and buffer areas. India has 15 Biosphere Reserves.
2. Zoo and wildlife sanctuary
   • Zoo: A place where animals are kept in artificial enclosures or habitats for public exhibition, education, and conservation breeding programs. The area is typically smaller compared to sanctuaries.
   • Wildlife Sanctuary: A natural habitat where animals are protected and conserved in very large, natural areas. Hunting, grazing, and felling trees are prohibited.
3. Endangered and extinct species
   • Endangered Species: These are species that are at a high risk of extinction in the near future. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect and prevent them from disappearing completely.
   • Extinct Species: These are species that no longer exist on Earth. They have completely vanished and cannot be brought back.
4. Flora and fauna
   • Flora: Refers to all the plant life present in a particular region or time period. Examples include jamun, silver ferns, and arjun trees.
   • Fauna: Refers to all the animal life present in a particular region or time period. Examples include chinkara, blue-bull, barking deer, cheetal, leopard, and wild dogs.

Deforestation, the clearing of forests, has profound and widespread negative effects:

1. Wild animals: Deforestation destroys the natural habitats of wild animals, leading to a loss of shelter, food sources, and breeding grounds. This can cause a decline in animal populations, force them into unfamiliar territories, and increase their vulnerability to extinction.
2. Environment: Forests play a crucial role in maintaining environmental balance. Deforestation contributes to soil erosion as tree roots no longer hold the soil together. It disrupts the water cycle, potentially leading to changes in rainfall patterns and increased risk of floods and droughts. Furthermore, trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas; their removal exacerbates climate change.
3. Villages (Rural areas): Rural communities often depend on forests for resources like fuel wood, fodder, and medicinal plants. Deforestation can lead to scarcity of these resources, impacting livelihoods and traditional practices. Soil erosion can also affect agricultural land, reducing crop yields.
4. Cities (Urban areas): While cities may seem distant from forests, they are indirectly affected. Climate change, exacerbated by deforestation, can lead to more extreme weather events impacting urban infrastructure. Reduced forest cover can also affect air and water quality, which are essential for urban populations.
5. Earth: On a global scale, deforestation contributes significantly to climate change by releasing stored carbon and reducing the planet's capacity to absorb greenhouse gases. It leads to a loss of biodiversity, impacting ecosystems worldwide and reducing the resilience of the planet to environmental changes.
6. The next generation: Deforestation deprives future generations of the natural resources, stable climate, and rich biodiversity that we benefit from today. It creates a legacy of environmental degradation, potentially leading to resource scarcity, increased natural disasters, and a less habitable planet for those who come after us.