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.

(b) Species found only in a particular area is known as endemic species.

1. Migratory birds fly to far away places because of climatic changes. These changes can affect food availability and breeding conditions, prompting birds to seek more favorable environments.

Here are the differentiations:

1. Wildlife Sanctuary vs. 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 and well-being of the animals. India has approximately 440 wildlife sanctuaries.
   • Biosphere Reserve: A larger, protected area conserved to safeguard biodiversity and cultural heritage. It often includes multiple protected zones like sanctuaries, national parks, and lakes. Biosphere reserves aim to conserve the overall ecosystem and traditional lifestyles. India has 15 Biosphere Reserves.

(b) Zoo vs. Wildlife Sanctuary

• Zoo: A place where animals are kept in artificial enclosures for public exhibition and conservation purposes. These areas are typically smaller and provide a controlled environment.
• Wildlife Sanctuary: A natural habitat where animals are protected and conserved in large, natural areas. Activities like hunting and grazing are prohibited.

1. Endangered Species vs. Extinct Species
   • Endangered Species: These are species that are at a critical risk of extinction in the wild. Immediate conservation efforts are required to protect them from disappearing.
   • Extinct Species: These are species that no longer exist on Earth. They have completely vanished.
2. Flora vs. Fauna
   • Flora: Refers to all the plant life present in a particular area. Examples include jamun, silver ferns, and arjun.
   • Fauna: Refers to all the animal life present in a particular area. Examples include chinkara, blue-bull, barking deer, cheetal, leopard, and wild dog.

Deforestation, the clearing of forests, has widespread and significant 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 force animals to migrate, leading to increased competition or conflict with humans, and ultimately pushing many species towards endangerment or extinction.

(b) Environment:

• Soil Erosion: Tree roots help bind the soil. When trees are removed, the soil becomes loose and is easily washed away by rain and wind, leading to soil erosion and reduced soil fertility.
• Climate Change: Forests play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate by absorbing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Deforestation reduces this absorption capacity, contributing to global warming and altering weather patterns, potentially leading to more extreme events like floods and droughts.
• Water Cycle Disruption: Trees release water vapor into the atmosphere through transpiration, which contributes to rainfall. Deforestation disrupts this process, potentially leading to reduced rainfall and water scarcity in an area.

1. Villages (Rural areas): Deforestation can lead to soil erosion, affecting agricultural productivity. It can also disrupt local water sources and increase the risk of natural disasters like landslides, impacting rural livelihoods and safety.
2. Cities (Urban areas): While cities may seem distant from forests, deforestation contributes to broader environmental issues like climate change, which affects everyone. Increased soil erosion can lead to siltation of rivers, impacting water supply. Loss of green cover also reduces the aesthetic and recreational value of surrounding areas.
3. Earth: On a global scale, deforestation contributes significantly to climate change, biodiversity loss, and desertification. It reduces the planet's capacity to absorb greenhouse gases and disrupts essential ecological processes.

(f) The next generation: The consequences of deforestation, such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, and resource depletion, will be inherited by future generations. They will face a planet with diminished natural resources, a less stable climate, and a reduced variety of plant and animal life, impacting their quality of life and survival prospects.