Chapter 5 – Conservation of Plants and Animals

Chapter 5 – Conservation of Plants and Animals

 

1. Deforestation

• Deforestation means cutting down forests  and using that land for other purposes.
•  Causes of Deforestation:
  • Acquiring land: for farming, to build houses and factories.
  • The use of wood: making furniture or as fuel.
  •  Natural causes  such as forest fires and  severe drought.

 Consequences of Deforestation:

• Increase in temperature and pollution levels on earth.
• Increased Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Levels: Because Trees Use  CO2.
•  Lowering of Groundwater Level.
• Increase in Soil Erosion:  The upper fertile layer of the soil is removed.
•  Desertification: Fertile land turns into desert.
• Natural Disasters: Increase in floods and droughts.
• Destruction of Wildlife Habitats: Due to which many species are on the verge of extinction.

2. Conservation of Wildlife and Plants

• Protected areas such as  national parks,  wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves  have been created for the conservation of plants and animals.

1. Wildlife Sanctuary :

• • It is an area where animals are kept safe in their natural habitat without any hindrance.
  • Hunting or catching animals is strictly prohibited here.
  • Examples: Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary.

1. National Parks:

• These are large and diverse areas that preserve wildlife as well as plant diversity.
• They conserve an entire ecosystem.
• Examples: Satpura National Park (India’s first reserve forest), Kaziranga National Park (for one-horned rhinoceros).

iii. Biosphere Reserve:

• These are vast protected areas that aim to conserve both the biodiversity and the culture of the area.
• It may also contain other protected areas (such as national parks and sanctuaries).
• Example: Panchmarhi Biosphere Reserve.
• Inside the biosphere reserve, some tribal communities also live in their traditional ways and maintain their culture.

3. Biodiversity

• Biodiversity refers to the different types of species found on Earth, their habitats (habitats), and the relationships between them.
• It includes all plants, animals and microorganisms.

4. Endemic Species

• Special zonal species are species that are found only in a particular region or geographical location.
• They are not naturally found anywhere else.
• These species are more threatened by deforestation or habitat loss.
• Example: In the Panchmarhi Biosphere Reserve, Sal and Wild Mango are endemic flora, and Bison, Indian Giant Squirrel and Flying Squirrel are endemic animals.

5. Endangered Species

• Endangered species  are those organisms (plants or animals) whose numbers have been reduced so much that they are on the verge of extinction.
• If they are not preserved, they can quickly disappear from the earth.
• Examples: Tiger, blue whale, Indian rhinoceros.

6. Extinct Species

• Extinct species are those species that are no longer found alive on earth.
• Examples: Dinosaurs, dodo birds.

7. Red Data Book

• Red Data Book is a source book in which a record of all endangered plants and animals is kept.
• It is maintained by different countries.

8. Migration

• Migration is the phenomenon in which species (especially birds) travel long distances from one place to another every year in search of their breeding land or food.
• They also do this to avoid climate change.
• Example: Migratory birds like Siberian cranes come to India every year.

9. Recycling of Paper

• About 17 full-grown trees are cut to produce one tonne of paper.
• The paper  can be recycled 5 to 7 times.
• Recycling of paper  helps us to save forests, save energy and save water.

10. Reforestation

• Reforestation means replanting deforested forests.
• This includes planting new trees.
• We should plant as many trees as we cut, or even more.
• It helps in reducing the effects of deforestation.