RBSE Class 11 Geography Important Questions Chapter 16 Biodiversity and Conservation

Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 11 Geography Important Questions Chapter 16 Biodiversity and Conservation Important Questions and Answers. 

RBSE Class 11 Geography Important Questions Chapter 16 Biodiversity and Conservation

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is meant by Hot Spot?
(A) High Biodiversity
(B) Low Biodiversity
(C) Agricultural Region
(D) Industrial Region.
Answer:
(A) High Biodiversity

 

2. How much animals are on the verge of extinction?
(A) 2 % 
(B) 4 %
(C) 8 % 
(D) 6 %.
Answer:
(A) 2 % 

3. Where was earth summit held?
(A) Tokyo
(B) China
(C) Rio de Janeiro 
(D) Kolkata.
Answer:
(C) Rio de Janeiro 

4. What is not a mega Diversity centre?
(A) India    
(B) China
(C) Brazil    
(D) England.
Answer:
(D) England.

5. When was wild life act formed?
(A) 1970 
(B) 1972
(C) 1974 
(D) 1976.
Answer:
(B) 1972

6. When was Earth Summit held?
(A) 1990 
(B) 1991
(C) 1992 
(D) 1993.
Answer:
(C) 1992 

7. When was Project Tiger launched?
(A) 1970 
(B) 1971
(C) 1972 
(D) 1973.
Answer:
(C) 1972 

8. How many plants in the world are on the verge of extinction?
(A) 5 % 
(B) 6 %
(O 7 % 
(D) 8 %. 
Answer:
(D) 8 %. 

Very Short Answer Type Questions 

Question 1. 
Name two sources of food of man. 
Answer: 
Plants and animals.

Question 2. 
Which factors have contributed to green revolution?
Answer: 
New variety of seeds, insecticides, and fertilizers.

Question 3.
What is species diversity? 
Answer: 
The variation in the physical features of a species.

Question 4. 
What is the cause of extinction of some species?
Answer: 
Great demand of resources due to increasing population.

Question 5. 
When did Pliestocene period occur?
Answer: 
About 2 million years ago.

Question 6. 
What is the cause of increase in foodgrain stock?
Answer: 
Mechanisation of Agriculture.

Question 7. 
Which elements have been affected due to pollution?
Answer: 
Air, Water, and Land.

Question 8. 
How much percentage of known plants and animals are at the risk of extinction?
Answer: 
2 % animals and 8 % plants.

Question 9. 
What is negative effect on quality of water?
Answer: 
Acid rainfall, irrigation and flow of fertilizers.

Question 10. 
How many species of plants are being used in religious institution in India?
Answer: 
About 100.

Question 11. 
When was Project Tiger launched?
Answer: 
In 1973.

Question 12. 
When and where was Earth Summit held?
Answer: 
In 1992 at Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

Question 13. 
When was Wild Life Act formed?
Answer: 
In 1972.

Question 14. 
What is the basis of Biodiversity?
Answer: 
Weathering.

Question 15. 
What name is given to areas rich in Bio-diversity?
Answer: 
Hot-spots.

Question 16. 
What is the effect of loss of Biodiversity?
Answer: 
It decreases the ability of Ecosystem to maintain itself.

Question 17. 
What is Agro-Biodiversity?
Answer: 
Diversity in crops.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. 
How are plants and animals important to mankind?
Answer: 
Human is a herbivore as well carnivore and consumes a substantial number of different plant and animal species. Early humans were dependent upon those plants that produced food. They were also dependent upon herbivores that were capable of relatively easy management. They domesticated animals early in history.Plants and animals provide meat products and dairy products to feed millions of people.

Question 2. 
What is conservation of Biodiversity 
Answer: 
Conservation of bio-diversity is a strategy to maintain and evolve species. This will maintain gene pools. It will prove valuable for the future generations.

Question 3. 
Trace the history of Biodiversity. Which region has the highest Biodiversity?
Answer: 
Biodiversity is the result biodiversity than in any other period. Since the emergence of humans, however, biodiversity has begun a rapid decline, with one species after another suffering extinction. The number of species, globally vary from 2 million to 100 million, with 10 million being the estimate. Most of the diversity is found in tropical forests.

Question 4. 
Explain the role of species in Ecosystem.
Answer: 

1. Species capture and store energy.
2. These produce organic material.
3. These help in cycle of water and nutrients.
4. These fix atmospheric gases.

Question 5. 
What are the causes of Biodiversity?
Answer: 
Weathering is the basis of Biodiversity input of solar energy and water cause Biodiversity. The areas which are rich in these inputs are the areas of wide spectrum of Biodiversity.

Question 6. 
Biodiversity is a system of Constant Evolution. Explain.
Answer: 
Biodiversity is the living wealth. It is a result of hundreds of millions of years of evolutionary history. Biodiversity is not static. It is a system in constant evolution, from a species, as well as from an individual organism point of view. The average half-life of a species is estimated at between one and four million years, and 99% of the species that have ever lived on earth are today extinct. Biodiversity is not distributed evenly on earth. It is consistently richer in the tropics. As one approaches polar regions one finds larger and larger populations of fewer and fewer species.

Question 7.
Classify different species on the basis of conservation of plants and animals.
Answer: 
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.
1. Endangered Species. It includes those species which are in danger of extinction. The IUCN publishes information about endangered species worldwide as the Red List of threatened species.

2. Vulnerable Species. This 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.

3. Rare Species. Population of these species is very small in the world, they are confined to limited areas or thinly scattered over a wider area.

Question 8. 
State the four causes of loss of Biodiversity.
Answer: 

1. Natural calamities
2. Pesticides
3. Exotic species
4. Illegal Hunting.

Question 9. 
State two aspects of conservation of species.
Answer: 

1. Man should practise environment friendly activities.
2. Sustainable development should be aimed at.
3. Cooperation of local communities be involved.

Question 10. 
What do you know by ‘Mega Diversity
(i) Centres’. Name the important mega-diversity centres of the world. 
Answer: 
The countries situated in Tropical Regions have a large number of world’s, species diversity. These are called ‘Mega Diversity Centres.’ There are 12 such countries namely-Mexico, Columbia, Equador, Peru, Brazil, Zaire, Madagascar, China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.

Essay Type Questions

Question 1. 
What do you mean by Loss of Biodiversity? What are its causes?
Answer: 
LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity exists at three different levels, namely 

1. species diversity, which is reflected by morphological, physiological and genetic features; 
2. genetic diversity, which comprises genetic or other variations within a species; and 
3. ecosystem diversity, which is reflected in diverse bio-geographic zones, such as lakes, deserts, coasts, estuaries etc. The conservation of these ecosystems is a major challenge. 

Human influence. 
Humans have directly influenced the kind and distribution of the earth's biotic stock. Increasing impact of humans on the biotic patterns of the earth is an outcome of a growing population and its requirement for food and shelter. Human demands for resources result in the death of some species and survival of others. The early humans were hunters and gatherers. We may call them primitive but from the ecological point of view they were not backward. Their lifestyle was a successful adaptation to the call of nature given the knowledge and technology of the time. 

Extinction of Species. 
The prehistoric overkilling by early humans in association with deterioration in climate has been recognised as principal factors for the mammal extinction during the geological period (Pleistocene, about 2 million years ago). This episode of megafaunal extinction has not ended, it is presently being extended to the earth's marine environment.

This is the result of technology that has increased the influence of humans within the depths of the world's oceans were: The modern age of extinction is not centred on any group of animals such as megafauna, but has affected a variety of animals, especially birds, fish and reptiles. Technological innovations and socio¬economic factors serve to fuel the modern age of extinction.

Influence of Mechanisation and Industrialisation. 
In the wake of extinction, a new food source based on domesticated plants and animals became increasingly important. Mechanisation and industrialisation of till agriculture has created enormous grain surpluses. But in the course of producing these surpluses, human's series of changes in the land has caused disruption in the pattern of natural communities and soils. These changes in turn have resulted in degradation of communities, both near and far. Fresh water systems have undergone especially large changes: till agriculture has also affected organisms of the marine environment.

Effects. 

1. In this age of industry and urbanisation, the growing population translates into more lands being cleared of their forests. 
2. More soils being tilled to grow crops and 
3. more areas used to erect homes, construct roads, build parking lots and all the activities. 
4. those channel resources toward urban locations. 
5. The loss of soil, movement of nutrients and contamination of the environment with toxic materials are symptomatic of the excessive use of energy and unchecked outputs. 
6. Human manipulation of nature results in fragmented and incomplete systems. They have negative impact on air, water, soil and biotic resources of the planet.

New Problems. 
(1) Nearly 2 per cent of the known animals and 8 per cent of the known plants of the world today are at risk of extinction. Virtually, every industrial activity has a negative effect on water quality. 

(2) Rain has become acid

(3) till agriculture is a problem because of irrigation, erosion and runoff of pesticides and fertilisers; urban areas and highways are a problem because of altered runoff and spillage of toxic substances:

(4) mining presents a problem because of its impact on drainage and runoff of mine wastes; industrial and urban sewerage contain hazardous substances and cause eutrophication; all diminish the quality of fresh water systems.

Future. 
Life has evolved over millions of years into a highly integrated fabric. Life is resilient but it needs space. When any part of the pattern of plant, animal or soil life is destroyed, the whole fabric of life becomes diminished. The desirable condition is a world where, instead of deterioration of major resources, there is recovery; where instead of extinction of species. It is within the power of humans to make cultural adjustments that would enhance the future patterns of life. Future generations will realise the wisdom (or lack thereof) of our age by noting the failures and successes we have had in sustaining biodiversity and hence the quality of life on the earth.

Future. 
Biodiversity today is the result of 2.5 - 3.5 billion years of evolution. Since the advent of humans, the biodiversity has a rapid decline. The number of species globally vary from 2 million to 100 million. New species are regularly discovered. Tropical forests are very rich in biodiversity.

Question 2. 
What are the different levels of Biodiversity?
Answer: 
Going by the definitions, biodiversity can be discussed at three levels

1. Genetic diversity, 
2. Species diversity and 
3. Ecosystem diversity.

1. Genetic diversity:
Genes are the basic building blocks of various life forms. The genetic biodiversity refers to the variation of genes within species. Groups of individual organisms having certain similarities in their physical characteristics are called species. For example, though humans are of same species-Homo Sapiens-their characteristics such as height, colour, physical appearance etc. differ considerably. This is due to genetic diversity. This genetic variability is essential for a healthy breeding population of species.

2. Species diversity:
This refers to the variety of species. It relates to the number of species in a defined area. Species diversity can be measured through species richness, species abundance and types. Some areas are rich in species than others. Areas rich in species diveristy are called ‘hotspots’ of diversity.

3. Ecosystem diversity:
You have studied about ecosystem in the earlier chapter. The broad differences between ecosystem types, and the diversity of habitats and ecological processes occurring within each ecosystem type constitute ecosystem diversity. In fact, it is harder to define ecosystem diversity than species or genetic diversity. This is because the ‘boundaries’ of communities (associations of species) and ecosystems are more fluid.

Source Based Questions

1. Read the following paragraph and answer the questions given below:
There are some countries which are situated in the tropical region. They possess a large number of the world’s species diversity. They are called ‘megadiversity centres’. There are 12 such countries namely- Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Zaire, Madagascar, China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia in which these centres are located. In order to concentrate resources on those areas that are the most vulnerable, IUCN has identified certain areas as biodiversity hotspots. Hotspots are defined according to their vegetation. 

Plants are important because they determine the primary productivity of an ecosystem. Most, but not all, of the hotspots rely on species rich ecosystems for food, firewood, cropland and income from timber. In Madagascar, for example, about 85% of the plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world, but its people are also among the world’s poorest and rely on slash; and burn agriculture for subsistence farming. Other hotspots in wealthy countries are facing different types of pressures. The island of Hawaii have many unique plants and animals that are threatened by introduced species and land development.

(i) How many countries are the megadiversity centres?
(a) 11 
(b) 12
(c) 13 
(d) 14
Answer: 
(b) 12

(ii) Which of the following is not a part of megadiversity centre?
(a) China 
(b) India
(c) Bangladesh 
(d) Zaire
Answer: 
(c) Bangladesh

(iii) Which of the following institute has identified certain areas of biodiversity?
(a) IGNU 
(b) IUNC
(c) INUC 
(d) IUCN
Answer: 
(d) IUCN

(iv) In which country, a large amount of plants and animals are found?
(a) Madagascar 
(b) China
(c) India 
(d) Zaire
Answer:
(a) Madagascar

2. Read the following paragraph and answer the questions given below:
Human is a herbivore as well carnivore; and consumes a substantial number of different plant and animal species. Early humans were dependent upon those plants that produced food. They were also dependent upon herbivores that were capable of relatively easy management. They domesticated animals early in history. Plants and animals provide meat products and dairy products to feed millions of people.

(i) Which of the following is a both carnivore and herbivore?
(a) Lion 
(b) Human
(c) Elephant 
(d) Deer
Answer: 
(b) Human

(ii) Conservation of biodiversity is important for
(a) Animals
(b) Plants
(c) Humans 
(d) All of these
Answer: 
(d) All of these

(iii) On which activities were the early humans mostly dependent on?
(a) Food gathering 
(b) Agriculture
(c) Mining 
(d) None of these
Answer: 
(a) Food gathering 

HOTS QUESTIONS

Question 1 
Explain the extinction of species. 
Answer: 
Extinction of Species. The prehistoric overkilling by early humans in association with deterioration in climate has been recognised as principal factors for the mammal extinction during the geological period (Pleistocene, about 2 million years ago). This episode of megafaunal extinction has not ended, it is presently being extended to earth’s marine environment. This is the result of technology that has increased the influence of humans within the depths of the world’s ocean. The modern age of extinction is not centred on any group of animals such as megafauna, but has affected a variety of animals. 
  

SELF EVALUATION TEST 

1. What is Biodiversity? 
2. What is a hotspot? 
3. What is Project Tiger? 
4. What is Agro-Biodiversity? 
5. Name the different levels of Biodiversity. 
6. What are exotic species? 
7. What is loss of Biodiversity? 
8. What is conservation of Biodiversity? 
9. State four causes of loss of Biodiversity. 
10. What are the effects of loss of Biodiversity?