NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography (Fundamental of physical geography) Chapter 14 Biodiversity and Conservation

NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 11th

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Book : Fundamental of Physical Geography Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 16 Social Science Geography

Class : 11th

Subject : Geography

Chapter : 16

Chapter Name : Biodiversity and Conservation

Q1 Multiple choice questions.

(i) Conservation of biodiversity is important for :

(a) Animals

(b) Animals and plants

(c) Plants

(d) All organisms

(ii) Threatened species are those which :

(a) threaten others

(b) Lion and tiger

(c) are abundant in number

(d) are suffering from the danger of extinction

(iii) National parks and sanctuaries are established for the purpose of :

(a) Recreation

(b) Hunting

(c) Pets

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Book : Fundamental of Physical Geography Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 16 Social Science Geography

(d) Conservation

(iv) Biodiversity is richer in :

(a) Tropical Regions

(b) Polar Regions

(c) Temperate Regions

(d) Oceans

(v) In which one of the following countries, the ‘Earth Summit’ was held?

(a) the UK

(b) Mexico

(c) Brazil

(d) China

Answer.

(i) (d) All organisms

(ii) (d) are suffering from the danger of extinction

(iii) (d) Conservation

(iv) (a) Tropical Regions

(v) (c) Brazil

Page : 136 , Block Name : Exercises

Q2 Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

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Book : Fundamental of Physical Geography Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 16 Social Science Geography

(i) What is biodiversity?

(ii) What are the different levels of biodiversity?

(iii) What do you understand by ‘hotspots’?

(iv) Discuss briefly the importance of animals to human kind.

(v) What do you understand by ‘exotic species’?

Answer.

(i) Biodiversity is derived from two words, Bio (life) and diversity (variety).It is the number and
variety of organisms found within a specified geographic region. It includes the variety of plants,
animals and microorganisms, their genes and the ecosystems they form. It relates to the
variability among living organisms on earth, including the variability within and between species
and within and between ecosystems.

(ii) Biodiversity can be discussed at three levels :-

➔​ ​Genetic diversity :- Genetic biodiversity refers to the variation of genes within
species.

➔​ ​Species diversity :- This refers to the variety of species. It relates to the number of
species in a defined area.

➔​ ​Ecosystem diversity :- The broad differences between ecosystem types and the
diversity of habitats and ecological processes occurring within each ecosystem type
constitute the ecosystem diversity.

(iii) Regions that are rich in species diversity are known as hotspots.

(iv) The various importance of animals to human kind are :-

➔​ ​Source of Food :- Animals like chicken, pigs, cows etc. provide meat, eggs and milk
which help in providing nutrition to human beings.

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Book : Fundamental of Physical Geography Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 16 Social Science Geography

➔​ ​Means of Transport :- Animals like bulls, elephants, horses, camels etc. are used as
a means of transport in various regions of the world.

➔​ ​Source of Cloth :- Silk obtained from silk worm, wool obtained from sheep etc. help in
making cloths used by human beings to protect them from extremes of climate.

(v) Species that are introduced into the system and which were not the natural inhabitants of the
local habitat are called Exotic species.

Page : 136 , Block Name : Exercises

Q3 Answer the following questions in about 150 words.

(i) What are the roles played by biodiversity in the shaping of nature?

(ii) What are the major factors that are responsible for the loss of biodiversity? What steps are
needed to prevent them?

Answer.

(i) Biodiversity essentially plays three fold role of biodiversity. These roles are-

➔​ ​Ecological Role of Biodiversity :-

Species of all kinds in a way or other contributes to the ecosystem at large. Some species
capture and store energy, other help in the cycle of water and nutrients, produce and
decompose organic materials, regulates the climate and fixes atmospheric gases. A rich
biodiversity has a greater chance of adapting to environmental change.

➔​ ​Economic Role of Biodiversity

All the important economic commodities that biodiversity supplies to the human such as food
crops, livestock, forests, fish, medicines etc. are derived from the biodiversity only. It is seen as
a reservoir of resources to be drawn upon for the manufacturing of food, pharmaceutical and
cosmetic products.

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Book : Fundamental of Physical Geography Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 16 Social Science Geography

➔​ ​Scientific Role of Biodiversity

The scientific role of biodiversity is such that each and every organism gives us some clue as to
how life has evolved and will continue to evolve. It also provides us a better understanding of
how life functions and the role of species in sustaining ecosystem.The level of biodiversity also
indicates how harmonious is our relationship with other species.

(ii) The major factors that are responsible for the loss of biodiversity are :-

➔​ ​Natural calamities like forest fires, earthquakes etc. causes damage to the flora and
fauna of the affected regions.

➔ Weak and sensitive species are destroyed by Pesticides and other pollutants like
hydrocarbons and toxic heavy metals.

➔ Increased consumption of natural resources due to growth in human population has
accelerated in loss of biodiversity.

➔​ ​Increasing needs of humans has resulted in overexploitation of resources and
deforestation which further results in loss of biodiversity.

➔​ ​Concentration of human population in tropical regions which contains 50% of the
species of the earth, destruction of such regions for the need of human polpulation has
taken a toll on the biodiversity on Earth.

➔​ ​The introduction of exotic species has extensively damaged the natural biotic
community.

➔​ ​Hunting of Animals for horns tusks, hides etc. has resulted in making a few of the
species as endangered category.

It is essential to conserve biodiversity for human existence as all forms of life are so
interconnected that disturbance in one gives rise to imbalance in the others. Thus, the following
steps must be taken to protect them-

➔​ ​Awareness and Education about the importance to conserve biodiversity and to
educate them to adopt environmentally-friendly practices and to reorient their activities
such that our development is harmonious with other life forms.

➔​ ​Special efforts like providing a safe habitat must be ensured to preserve the species
that are endangered.

➔​ ​Prevention of extinction requires proper planning and management.

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Book : Fundamental of Physical Geography Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 16 Social Science Geography

➔​ ​Varieties of food crops, forage plants, timber trees, livestock, animals and their wild
relatives should be preserved.

➔​ ​Identification of habitats of wild relatives and protection of the same must be ensured
by each country.

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

➔​ ​Tarde of plant and wildlife must be regulated.

Page : 136 , Block Name : Exercises

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