NCERT Class 11 Geography Chapter 16 Biodiversity and Conservation

NCERT Class 11 Geography Chapter 16 Biodiversity and Conservation Solutions to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse through different chapters NCERT Class 11 Geography Chapter 16 Biodiversity and Conservation and select need one. NCERT Class 11 Geography Chapter 16 Biodiversity and Conservation Question Answers Download PDF. NCERT Geography Class 11 Solutions.

NCERT Class 11 Geography Chapter 16 Biodiversity and Conservation

Also, you can read the NCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Book guidelines. CBSE Class 11 Geography Solutions are part of All Subject Solutions. Here we have given NCERT Class 11 Geography Part I: Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Part II: Indian: Physical Environment, Part III: Practical Work in Geography. NCERT Class 11 Geography Chapter 16 Biodiversity and Conservation Notes, NCERT Class 11 Geography Textbook Solutions for All Chapters, You can practice these here.

Biodiversity and Conservation

Chapter: 16

GEOGRAPY [ PART – I ]

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTION

Q.1. Write the importance of animals to mankind.

Ans. Human as a herbivore and carnivore, with a very wide dietary ranges, is remarkably well equipped to exploit the variable habitats of the world and consumes a substantial number of different plant and animal species. Man is also dependent on herbivores that are capable of relatively easy management.

Q.2. What are the different types of biodiversity?

Ans. There are three types of biodiversity:

1. Genetic diversity.

2. Ecosystem diversity,

3. Species diversity.

Q.3. What is the outcome of new variety of seeds and fertilizers?

Ans. The Green Revolution is the outcome of new variety of seeds and fertilizers. It is unfortunate that it is also the source of air, water and land pollution.

Q.4. How have humans disturbed biodiversity?

Ans. The humans have directly influenced the kind and distribution of the earth’s biotic stock.

Q.5. What are the outcomes of the mechanization and industrialization of agriculture?

Ans. Mechanization and industrialization of agriculture has created enormous grain surplus.

Q.6. Name the countries which have highest biodiversity.

Ans. There are 12 such countries, namely Mexico. Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia in which these centres are located.

Q.7. What provisions have been made under Wild Life Protection Act, 1972?

Ans. The Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 provides for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants. This Act governs wildlife conservation and protection of endangered species by establishing national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves.

Q.8. What are endangered species?

Ans.Endangered species include those species which are in danger of extinction. The IUCN publishes information about endangered species world-wide as the Red List of threatened species.

Q.9. What are rare species?

Ans. Rare species are those species whose population is very small in the world. They are confined to limited areas or thinly scattered over a wider area.

Q.10. What is mega diversity centre?

Ans. There are some countries which are situated in the tropical region; they possess a large number of the world’s species divershy. They are called mega diversity centres.

Q.11. Write about genetic biodiversity?

Ans. Genetic biodiversity refers to the variation of genes within species. Groups of individual organisms having certain similarities in their physical characteristics are called species. Genes are the basic building blocks of various life forms. Human beings genetically belong to the homo sapiens group and also differ in their characteristics such as height, colour, physical appearance, etc., considerably. This is due to diversity. This genetic diversity is essential for a healthy breeding of population of species.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q.1. What is biodiversity?

Ans. Biodiversity itself is a combination of two words, Bio (life) and diversity (variety). In simple terms biodiversity is the number and variety of organisms found with in a specified geographical region. It refers the variety of plants, animals and micro organism. The gives they contained and the ecosystem they form. It relates to the variability among living organisms on the earth.

Q. 2. What are the different levels of biodiversity?

Ans. Different levels of biodiversity are:

1. Genetic diversity.

2. Species diversity. and

3. Ecosystem diversity.

Q.3. What do you understand by hot spots?

Ans. The areas rich in species diversity are called hot spots of diversity.

Q.4. What do you understand by exotic species ?

Ans. Species which are not the natural inhabitants of the local habitat but are introduced into the system are called exotic species.

Q.5. How are plants important to human beings?

Ans. Plants are important in many ways. They are helpful to man. Recent researches have shown that a number of large wild ungulates are capable of producing meat using, unimproved natural vegetation on the same scale as the improved domestic stock eating much more heavily a managed and altered vegetation. Methods of extracting protein from a range of plants have opened up the possibility of cropping wild self-sustaining vegetation without intensive cultivation.

Q.6. What is the conservation of biodiversity?

Ans. The goal of conservation strategy must be to ensure that evolution continues allowing natural forces to maintain and evolve species. This will maintain gene pools and retain genetic traits that may prove valuable in the future. The conservation of biodiversity is to protect species and to prevent rare ones from extinction.

Q.7. Discuss briefly the importance of animals to humankind.

Ans. The importance of animals to humankind is as under:

1. They produce and decompose organic materials.

2. They help to cycle water and nutrients throughout the ecosystem.

3. Fix atmospheric gases and help to regulate the climate. 

4. Herbivorous and Carnivorous animal provide different products.

Q.8. What change have taken place after the launch of Project Tiger?

Ans. The Project Tiger was launched in 1973, and has succeeded in increasing the tiger population. After this success several steps were taken to protect other species. The Government of India passed the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, under which national parks and sanctuaries were created. There are 66 national parks and 368 sanctuaries in India. Steps have been taken also to conserve forest and the Government of India signed the Convention of Biodiversity at the Earth Summit in 1992.

Q.9. How have humans influenced the distribution of earth’s biotic stock?

Ans. Humans have directly influenced the kind and distribution of the earth’s biotic stock pattern-an outcome of a growing population and its requirement for food and shelter. Human demands for resources results in the death of some species and survival of others. The early humans were not backward. Their lifestyle was a successful adaptation to the call of nature given the knowledge and technology of the time.

Q.10. Distinguish between:

(i) National Park and Sanctuary.

Ans. National Park: It is preserved area meant for preserving its natural vegetation, wild life and natural beauty. At present there are 66 National Parks. Example-Kaziranga in Assam is a National Park for rhinoceros.

Sanctuary: A sanctuary is a reserved area meant for preservation and development of endangered species. At present there are 368 sanctuaries covering 4.5% of total geographical area of the country. Bharatpur is a bird sanctuary.

(ii) Exploitation and Conservation of forests.

Ans. Exploitation of Forests: Humans have directly influenced the kind of distribution of biotic stock. The forests are being cleared to meet the demand of growing population. Their requirement for food and shelter is being fulfilled by clearing the forests: Forests are used for raw materials. In this age of industry and urbanisation, the growing population translocates into more lands, being cleared off the forests to grow crops and more areas to erect houses, construct roads, etc.

Conservation of Forests: The concept of biodiversity conservation is not new in India. Several measures are being taken to conserve forests. Afforestation is being done. Trees are being planted, using chemical insecticides to control diseases of trees and safeguarding of forests by fire are other important steps in this direction.

(iii) Genetic and Species diversity.

Ans. Genetic diversity: It comprises genetic or other variations within a species. Species diversity is reflected by morphological, physiological and genetic features.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Q.1. What are the roles played by biodiversity in the shaping of nature?

Ans. (a) Biodiversity has contributed in many ways to the development of human culture and in turn human communities have played a major role in shaping the diversity of nature at the genetic, species and ecological levels. Species capture and store energy, produce and decompose organic materials, help to cycle water, gases and minerals. These functions are important for ecosystem. In this way, biodiversity plays important role in shaping the nature. It implies that every organism beside extracting its need also contribute something useful to their organisms.

(b) The more diverse on ecosystem better are the chances for the species to survive through adversities and attacks and consequently is more productive.

(c) Hence the loss of species would decrease the ability of the system to maintain itself. An ecosystem with high biodiversity may have a greater chance of adopting to environmental change.

(d) In the other words the more the variety of species in an ecosystem the more stable the ecosystem is likely to be.

Q.2. What steps have been suggested in the world Conservation Strategy?

Or

What steps have been taken by the government to protect the biodiversity?

Ans. The following steps have been suggested in the World Conservation Strategy:

1. Efforts should be made to preserve the endangered species.

2. Prevention of extinction requires sound planning and management.

3. Varieties of food crops, forage plants, timber trees, livestock should be preserved.

4. Each country should identify habitats of wild relatives and ensure their protection.

5. Habitats where species feed, breed, nurse their young ones and rest should be safeguarded and protected.

6. International trade in wild plants and animals should be regulated.

Q.3. What can human efforts do for future generations?

Ans. Life has evolved over millions of years into a highly integrated fabric. When any part of the pattern of plant, animal or soil life is destroyed, the whole fabric of life is affected. The present generation should adopt environment friendly practices and re-orient their activities in such a way that our development is harmonious with other lifeforms and is sustainable. If species of plants and animals become endangered, they cause degradation in environment, which may threaten human being’s own survival.

Q.4. What are the major factors that are responsible for the loss of biodiversity? What steps are needed to prevent them?

Ans. The following factors are responsible for the loss of biodiversity:

1. Increase in population.

2. Deforestation.

3. Over-exploitation of natural resources.

4. Destruction of natural habitats.

5. Natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods, etc.

6. Pollution.

7. Hunting.

The following steps are needed to prevent them for conservation of biodiversity:

1. Efforts should be made to preserve the species.

2. Proper planning and management should be undertaken to stop extinction of species.

3. Afforestation.

4. Check on overexploitation.

5. Hunting must be restricted.

6. International trade in wild animals should be regulated.

7. Population should be controlled.

8. Environment should be pollution-free.

Q.5. In how many categories has the International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) classified the threatened species of plants and animals?

Ans. The International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has classified the threatened species of plants and animals into three categories for the purpose of their conservation.

Endangered species: Endangered species includes those species which are in danger of extinction. The IUCN publishes information about endangered species worldwide as the Red List of threatened species.

Vulnerable species: Vulnerable species includes the species which are likely to be in danger of extinction in near future if the factors threatening to their extinction continue. Survival of these species is not assured as their population has reduced greatly.

Rare species: Rare species are those species whose population is very small in the world. They are confined to limited areas or thinly scattered over a wider area.

Q.6. Give examples of few sanctuaries of the country.

Ans. Some important sanctuaries of the countries are:

• Annalia Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu).

• Jaldapara Sanctuary (West Bengal).

• Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary (Rajasthan).

• Sultanpur Lake Bird Sanctuary (Haryana).

• Nagarjun Sagar Sanctuary (Andhra Pradesh).

• Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary (Orissa).