🌸Chapter 13
Biodiversity and Conservation
(2 Marks)
1–10: Basics and Definition
1.
Define
biodiversity.
Answer: Biodiversity is the variety of life at genetic, species, and
ecosystem levels in a given area.
2.
What
are the three levels of biodiversity?
Answer: Genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
3.
What
is species richness?
Answer: The total number of different species present in a habitat.
4.
Define
species evenness.
Answer: It refers to how equally individual organisms are distributed
among species in an ecosystem.
5.
What
is genetic diversity?
Answer: The variety of genes within a species, enabling adaptation to
environmental changes.
6.
Define
ecosystem diversity.
Answer: The variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes
in the biosphere.
7.
Give
one example of a species with high genetic diversity.
Answer: Rice (Oryza sativa) shows high genetic variation for crop
improvement.
8.
What
is endemism?
Answer: Species restricted to a particular geographic region are called
endemic species.
9.
Give
an example of an endemic species in India.
Answer: Lion-tailed macaque in the Western Ghats.
10.
Who
coined the term biodiversity?
Answer: Walter G. Rosen (popularized by E.O. Wilson).
11–20: Importance of Biodiversity
11.
Give
two ecological benefits of biodiversity.
Answer: Maintains food chains, nutrient cycling, and ecological
stability.
12.
Name
two economic uses of biodiversity.
Answer: Provides timber, medicinal plants, and industrial raw materials.
13.
Give
one example of a medicinal plant and its use.
Answer: Taxus (yew tree) – source of anticancer drug Taxol.
14.
Give
an example of a plant used for malaria treatment.
Answer: Artemisia annua – source of Artemisinin.
15.
How
does biodiversity contribute to food security?
Answer: Provides a variety of crops, livestock, and genetic material for
improvement.
16.
Mention
two cultural or aesthetic values of biodiversity.
Answer: Sacred groves, ecotourism, and spiritual importance of species.
17.
Why
is species diversity important for ecosystem stability?
Answer: Diverse species maintain ecological balance and resilience
against environmental changes.
18.
Define
keystone species. Give an example.
Answer: Species that have a disproportionate effect on the ecosystem.
Example: Tiger.
19.
Give
one example of a plant with economic importance.
Answer: Bamboo – used in construction, handicrafts, and paper
industries.
20.
How
does biodiversity help in climate regulation?
Answer: Forests and vegetation absorb CO₂, reduce greenhouse gases, and
maintain climate.
21–30: Biodiversity Hotspots and
India
21.
What
is a biodiversity hotspot?
Answer: A region rich in endemic species and under threat, as defined by
Conservation International.
22.
How
many biodiversity hotspots are there in India?
Answer: Four – Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Sundalands, and Western Ghats.
23.
Name
an endemic species of the Western Ghats.
Answer: Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana).
24.
Which
islands belong to the Sundalands hotspot?
Answer: Nicobar Islands.
25.
Name
an endemic species of North-east Himalaya.
Answer: Red Panda.
26.
Which
Indian national park is part of a biodiversity hotspot?
Answer: Silent Valley National Park (Western Ghats).
27.
Give
one reason why India is considered a megadiverse country.
Answer: It has a large number of endemic species and varied ecosystems.
28.
Name
one aquatic biodiversity hotspot in India.
Answer: Sundarbans mangroves.
29.
Define
endemic species.
Answer: Species found only in a specific geographic region and nowhere
else.
30.
Give
one example of an endemic bird in India.
Answer: Indian Peafowl.
31–40: Threats to Biodiversity
31.
What
is habitat loss? Give an example.
Answer: Destruction or degradation of natural habitats. Example:
Deforestation of rainforests.
32.
Define
overexploitation.
Answer: Excessive use of species beyond sustainable levels, e.g.,
overfishing.
33.
Give
an example of an invasive species in India.
Answer: Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes).
34.
How
does pollution affect biodiversity?
Answer: Contaminates air, water, and soil, reducing species survival.
35.
Give
one effect of climate change on biodiversity.
Answer: Alters habitat conditions, leading to migration or extinction.
36.
What
is forest fragmentation?
Answer: Division of large forests into smaller, isolated patches.
37.
Give
one impact of forest fragmentation.
Answer: Reduced gene flow and population isolation.
38.
Give
one example of species extinction due to human activity.
Answer: Dodo bird.
39.
Define
threatened species.
Answer: Species at risk of extinction in near future due to declining
population or habitat.
40.
Give
one example of an endangered animal in India.
Answer: Asiatic Lion.
41–50: Conservation Strategies
41.
Define
in-situ conservation.
Answer: Protecting species in their natural habitats.
42.
Give
two examples of in-situ conservation in India.
Answer: National Parks – Jim Corbett, Biosphere Reserves – Nilgiri.
43.
Define
ex-situ conservation.
Answer: Protecting species outside their natural habitats.
44.
Give
two examples of ex-situ conservation.
Answer: Botanical gardens, Zoos, Seed banks.
45.
What
is the main objective of Project Tiger?
Answer: Protect tigers and their natural habitats.
46.
What
is the aim of Project Elephant?
Answer: Conserve elephants and reduce human-elephant conflicts.
47.
Name
one important biosphere reserve in India.
Answer: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
48.
What
is a seed bank?
Answer: A facility for storing seeds of different plant species for
conservation and future use.
49.
How
do sacred groves help in conservation?
Answer: Cultural beliefs prevent tree cutting and hunting, preserving
biodiversity.
50.
Name
one international agreement that protects endangered species.
Answer: CITES – Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
