Predators: The numbers of foxes and eagles would decrease due to reduced prey (hares), leading to food scarcity. Plants: Grass and plant populations might increase initially without hare grazing, but overgrowth could alter the habitat. Deer: Since deer aren’t preyed on by foxes or eagles, their role in this particular chain isn’t disturbed directly. Why: A decline in a key herbivore like the hare disrupts the food web, affecting both higher (predators) and lower (plants) trophic levels. Class 8 How Nature Works in Harmony Question Answer (Activities) Activity 12.1: Let us Explore (Page 191) Caution: Explore the habitat in groups with your teacher. Identify two habitats in your surroundings. These could be any two of the following: a pond, a forest, an agricultural farm, or even a large tree like a banyan, mango, or pilkhan (white fig) tree. List the living beings and non-living things that you observe in these habitats. Record your observations in the Table. Answer: Pond: Noticed fish swimming and water as the main components. Forest: Observed plants (grass, trees), birds, and soil as key elements. Recorded Observations in a Table. Different components of two habitats Activity 12.2: Let us Record (Page 193) We can understand the population of a particular type of plant by counting them at a given place and time. Divide students into four to five groups. Each group may identify any two organisms, plant(s) or animal(s). Mark an area of 1 m × 1 m in your school garden. Identify four organisms in this area, and count their numbers. Record the number of organisms in the Table. Compile the data from all groups. Answer: Number of particular organisms at a given space and time Name of Organism Population (Number of individual organisms) Plant 1: (e.g., Grass) 20 Plant 2: (e.g., Marigold) 5 Animal 1: (e.g., Ants) 10 Animal 2: (e.g., Ladybug) 3 Activity 12.3: Let us Read (Page 194) Researchers conducted a study to see how fish in ponds affect seed production in the plants nearby. They observed two ponds with fish and a large number of flowering plants around them; B without fish and fewer flowering plants around it (Fig.). Think of a reason for these observations.