Conservation of Plants and Animals — Question 6
Back to all questionsQuestion 3(a)
Discuss the effects of deforestation on wild animals.
The effects of deforestation on wild animals are:
- Deforestation leads to the loss of shelter, food sources, and breeding grounds for wild animals.
- They are forced to migrate to urban areas in search of food and shelter leading to their clash with humans and exposing them to various threats.
- Deforestation often results in the death of many wild animals gradually leading to their extinction.
Chapter Overview: Conservation of Plants and Animals
This environmental chapter covers deforestation and its consequences, the importance of biodiversity, types of protected areas (biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries), and concepts like endemic species, Red Data Book, and migration. Reforestation and paper recycling link conservation to everyday action.
Board Exam Weightage: 5-7 marks | Difficulty: Moderate
Key Formulas & Concepts
| Concept | Details |
|---|---|
| Biosphere Reserve | Large protected area: conservation + research + development (e.g., Pachmarhi, Sundarbans) |
| National Park | Strictly protected area: no human activity allowed (e.g., Jim Corbett, Kaziranga) |
| Wildlife Sanctuary | Animals protected, limited human activity like grazing allowed (e.g., Bharatpur, Periyar) |
| Red Data Book | Record of endangered species maintained by IUCN |
Must-Know Concepts
- Deforestation leads to soil erosion, desertification, floods, global warming, biodiversity loss
- India is one of 12 mega-biodiversity countries
- Endemic species are found only in a specific area; endangered species are at risk of extinction
- Reforestation = replanting where forest existed; Afforestation = planting where forest never was
- Siberian crane migrates from Siberia to Bharatpur (India) in winter
- Recycling 1 tonne of paper saves about 17 trees
Protected Areas Comparison
| Feature | Biosphere Reserve | National Park | Wildlife Sanctuary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Largest | Medium | Smallest |
| Purpose | Conservation + Research + Development | Strict wildlife protection | Animal protection in natural habitat |
| Human Activity | Limited (buffer zone) | Not allowed | Limited (grazing allowed) |
| Example | Pachmarhi (MP), Nilgiri | Jim Corbett (UK), Gir (GJ) | Bharatpur (RJ), Periyar (KL) |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing biosphere reserve, national park, and wildlife sanctuary
- Mixing up endemic (exclusive to area) and endangered (at risk of extinction)
- Confusing reforestation (re-planting) and afforestation (new planting)
- Thinking Red Data Book lists ALL species (only endangered ones)
Scoring Tips
- Make a comparison table of protected areas with examples for each
- Use memory aids: Endemic = Exclusive location; Endangered = at risk of Ending
- Memorise 5 national parks and 5 wildlife sanctuaries with states
- Practice drawing the cause-consequence chain of deforestation
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many marks does this chapter carry in the exam?
A: Approximately 5-7 marks in the annual exam.
Q: What question types are commonly asked?
A: MCQs (1 mark), Very Short Answer (2 marks), Short Answer (3 marks), and Long Answer / Diagram (5 marks).
Q: Is this chapter important for competitive exams?
A: Yes, concepts from this chapter appear in NTSE, Olympiad, and other science competitions.