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Q1. Which of the following are a threatened species of animals protected in our wildlife sanctuaries?

• 1) Flying squirrel
• 2) Garden lizard
• 3) Bison
• 4) Golden cat

Solution

The golden cat is one of the threatened species of animals in India and is being protected in our wildlife sanctuaries.

Q2. Which of the following is prohibited in a protected area?

• 1) Poaching
• 2) Plantation
• 3) All of the above
• 4) Cultivation

Solution

A protected area is an area in which the natural flora and fauna are protected. This includes national parks, sanctuaries and biosphere reserves. In these protected areas, felling of trees, poaching, hunting, plantation, cultivation and grazing activities are prohibited.

Q3. Loss of forest cover increases the annual temperature of the Earth.

• 1) False
• 2) True

Solution

True

Q4. Which of the following is endemic to the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve?

• 1) All of these
• 2) Flying squirrel
• 3) Indian giant squirrel
• 4) Bison

Solution

Bison, Indian giant squirrel and flying squirrel are species endemic to the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

Q5. Conversion of fertile land into a desert is called desertification.

• 1) True
• 2) False

Solution

True

Q6. The lower layer of the soil below the top soil is rich in humus, as the water seeps into it and carries a lot of nutrients with it into the soil.

• 1) True
• 2) False

Solution

False. The lower layer of the soil below the top soil is hard and rocky and does not contain humus.

Q7. Deforestation can cause both floods and loss of rainfall.

• 1) False
• 2) True

Solution

True

Q8. (i) Scientists and environmentalists continuously emphasize the negative effects of carrying out deforestation. Mention these effects. (ii) Which of the following cannot be caused by deforestation? Why? (a) Desertification (b) Severe droughts (c) Increase in soil fertility (d) Global warming

Solution

(i) The negative effects of carrying deforestation are: a. It causes increase in the temperature and pollution level on the earth. b. It increases the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere whereas the ground water level gets lowered. c. Deforestation disturbs the balance in nature. (ii) Increase in soil fertility cannot be caused by deforestation. Deforestation causes large amount of soil erosion, due to which the lower, hard and rocky layers get exposed. The fertile soil gets washed away during soil erosion. Hence, soil fertility gets reduced and is not increased during deforestation.

Q9. Write any two points to describe the importance of forests.

Solution

Forests are important for us because:(i) They purify the air and control air pollution.(ii) They help in replenishing ground water.

Q10. The Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve consists of

• 1) 1 national park and 1 wildlife sanctuary
• 2) 2 national parks and 2 wildlife sanctuaries
• 3) 2 national parks and 1 wildlife sanctuary
• 4) 1 national park and 2 wildlife sanctuaries

Solution

The Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve consists of 1 national park (Satpura) and 2 wildlife sanctuaries (Bori and Pachmarhi).

Q11. How many rock shelters have been identified in the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve?

• 1) 55
• 2) 15
• 3) 50
• 4) 25

Solution

A total of 55 rock shelters has been identified in the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

Q12. In which of the protected areas can one find the presence of tribal people along with the natural flora and fauna?

Solution

In a biosphere reserve, one can find the presence of tribal people living in harmony with the flora and fauna.

Q13. (i) Discuss any two problems that can arise if deforestation continues.(ii) What is the relation between deforestation and obtaining fuel?

Solution

(i) If deforestation continues, rainfall and soil fertility will decrease. In addition, there will be increased chances of natural calamities such as floods and droughts.(ii) Trees are cut down in several countries especially the developing ones, where wood is used as firewood or turned into charcoal, used for cooking and heating purposes which leads to deforestation.

Q14. Reduction in rainfall can cause droughts.

• 1) False
• 2) True

Solution

True

Q15. (i) Write any three reasons for cutting trees in forests. (ii) How does carbon dioxide cause global warming?

Solution

(i) The reasons for cutting trees in forests are:a. Procuring land for cultivationb. Building houses and factoriesc. Making furniture or using wood as fuel(ii) Carbon dioxide traps the heat rays reflected by the earth and causes global warming by increasing the temperature on the earth.

Q16. How does carbon dioxide cause global warming?

Solution

Carbon dioxide traps the heat rays reflected by the earth and causes global warming by increasing the temperature on the earth.

Q17. List 5 factors which disturb biodiversity.

Solution

Factors which disturb biodiversity: Poaching Agriculture Deforestation Urbanisation Industrialisation