Detailed, Step-by-Step NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography Chapter 16 Biodiversity and Conversation Questions and Answers were solved by Expert Teachers as per NCERT (CBSE) Book guidelines covering each topic in chapter to ensure complete preparation.
Biodiversity and Conversation NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography Chapter 16
Biodiversity and Conversation Questions and Answers Class 11 Geography Chapter 16
Question 1.
Multipule Choice Questions :
(i) Conservation of biodiversity is important for ………….
(a) Animals
(b) Animals and plants
(c) Plants
(d) All organisms
Answer:
(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 danger of extinction
Answer:
(d) are suffering from danger of extinction.
(iii) National parks and sanctuaries are established for the purpose of
(a) Recreation
(b) Hunting
(c) Pets
(d) Conservation
Answer:
(d) Conservation.
(iv) Biodiversity is richer in
(a) Tropical Regions
(b) Polar regions
(c) Temperat regions
(d) Oceans
Answer:
(a) Tropical regions.
(v) In which one of the following countries, the ‘Earth Summit’ was held?
(a) the UK
(b) Mexico
(c) Brazil
(d) China
Answer:
(c) Brazil.
Question 2.
Answer the following questions in about 30 words each :
(i) What is biodiversity?
Answer:
Biodiversity is a system in constant evolution, from a species as well as from an individual organism.
(ii) What are the different levels of biodiversity?
Answer:
Three levels of biodiversity are :
- Genetic biodiversity,
- Species diversity, and
- Ecosystem diversity.
(iii) What do you understand by ‘hot spots’?
Answer:
The diversity of species can be measured through its richness, abundance and types. Some areas are more rich in species than others. Areas rich in species diversity are called hot spots of diversity.
(iv) Discuss briefly the importance of animals to human kind,
Answer:
Animals helps in maintaining the ecosystem. They capture species and store energy, produce organic material to the ecosystem.
(v) What do you understand by ‘exotic species’?
Answer:
Species which are not the natural inhabitants of the local habitat but are introduced into the system, are called exotic species.
Question 3.
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :
(i) What are the roles played by biodiversity in the shaping of nature?
Answer:
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. Biodiversity plays the following roles : ecological, economic and scientific.
Ecological role of biodiversity – Species capture and store energy,produce and decompose organic materials, help to cycle water and nutrients throughout the ecosystem, fix atmospheric gases and help regulate the climate. These functions are important for ecosystem function and human survival.
Economic role of biodiversity-For all humans, biodiversity is an important resource in their day-to-day life. One important part of biodiversity is ‘crop diversity’, which is also called agro-biodiversity.
Some of the important economic commodities that biodiversity supplies to humankind are : food crops, livestock, forestry, fish, medicinal resources, etc.
Scientific role of biodiversity – Biodiversity is important because each species can give us some clue as to how life evolved and will continue to evolve. Biodiversity also helps in understanding how life functions and the role of each species in sustaining.
(ii) What are the major factors that are responsible for the loss of biodiversity? What steps are needed to prevent them?
Answer:
The various factors responsible for the loss of biodiversity are :
(1) Growth in human population has increased the rate of consumption of natural resources. It has accelerated the loss of species and habitation in different parts of the world.
(2) Over-exploitation of resources and deforestation have become rampant to fulfill the needs of large population.
(3) Natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, droughts, etc. cause damage to flora and fauna of the earth, bringing loss of biodiversity.
(4) Pesticides and other pollutants such as hydrocarbons and toxic heavy metals destroy the weak and sensitive species.
(5) Tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, crocodiles, minks and birds are hunted mercilessly by poachers for their horns, tusks and hides.
Preventive measure : 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 :
- It includes those species which are in danger of extinction.
- Efforts should be made to preserve the species that are endangered.
- Prevention of extinction requires sound planning and management.
- Varieties of food crops, forage plants, timber trees, livestock, animals and their wild relatives should be preserved.
- Each country should identify habitats of wild relations and ensure their protection.
- Habitats where species feed, breed, nurse their young and rest should be safeguarded and protected.
- International trade in wild plants and animals must be regulated.