Class 8 science notes

Conservation of plants and animal

Deforestation and its Causes

Definition: Deforestation is the clearing of forests on a large scale and using that land for other
purposes.

Causes:

Man-made:

1. Procuring land for cultivation (Agriculture).

2. Building houses, factories, and infrastructure (Urbanization & Industrialization).
3. Making furniture or using wood as fuel.
4. Overgrazing by animals.

Natural:

Forest fires.

Severe droughts.

. Consequences of Deforestation

• Climate Change: Increases temperature and pollution levels on Earth. Increases the level of
carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere.

• Lowering of Groundwater Level: Reduces water infiltration into the soil, disrupting the
water cycle.

• Soil Erosion: Tree roots bind the soil. Removal of trees exposes the topsoil, which is easily
removed by wind or water, leading to erosion.

• Desertification: Removal of fertile topsoil exposes lower, hard, rocky layers, reducing
humus and fertility. Fertile land gradually gets converted into deserts.

• Decreased Water Holding Capacity of Soil: Leads to increased chances of floods.

Biodiversity
• Definition: Refers to the variety of living organisms existing on the Earth, their
interrelationships, and their relationship with the environment. It includes diversity within
species, between species, and of ecosystems.

• Flora: Refers to all the plant life found in a particular area. (Example: Sal, Teak, Mango,
Jamun found in Panchmarhi Biosphere Reserve).

• Fauna: Refers to all the animal life found in a particular area. (Example: Chinkara, Blue-bull,
Barking deer, Cheetal, Leopard, Wild dog, Wolf found in Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve).

Endemic Species
 • Definition: Species of plants and animals that are found exclusively in a particular geographical
area and nowhere else naturally.
• They are more extinction because habitat destruction, introduction of new species, or climate
change in their specific area can wipe them out completely.
• Examples (from Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve):

o Flora: Sal, Wild Mango.

o Fauna: Bison, Indian giant squirrel, Flying squirrel.

. Species
• Definition: A group of populations whose members are capable of interbreeding naturally amongst
themselves and producing fertile offspring. Members of a species share common characteristics.

Protected Areas
• Purpose: Areas for the protection and conservation of ecosystems and their constituent flora and
fauna. Human activities like plantation, cultivation, grazing, felling trees, hunting, and poaching are
prohibited or strictly regulated.

• Types:

o Wildlife Sanctuary: Areas reserved for the protection of wild animals, providing suitable
living conditions. Limited human activities (like grazing by livestock, collecting medicinal
plants) may be permitted, but activities that harm wildlife are prohibited. (Example: Bori
Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh).

• National Park: Areas reserved for wildlife where they can freely use the habitats and natural
resources. They are typically larger and provide a higher level of protection to the entire
ecosystem (flora, fauna, landscape, historic objects). Human activities are highly restricted.
(Example: Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh - India's first Reserve Forest).

• Biosphere Reserve: Large areas of protected land meant for the conservation of wildlife, plant
and animal resources, and the traditional life of the tribal people living in the area. They aim to
conserve the biodiversity and culture of that area. A biosphere reserve may contain other
protected areas within it (e.g., Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve includes Satpura National Park and
Bori & Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuaries).

Endangered Species: Animals whose numbers are diminishing to a level that they might face
extinction if the causal factors continue to operate. (Examples: Tiger, Snow Leopard, Great Indian
Bustard, Lion-tailed Macaque).

Extinct Species: Species that no longer exist anywhere on Earth. (Examples: Dodo, Dinosaurs).

ECOSYSTEM
 • Definition: Consists of all the living organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms) in an area
along with the non-living components such as climate, soil, river deltas, etc. All
components are interdependent.

Red Data Book

• Definition: The source book which keeps an international record of all endangered animals
and plants.
• Purpose: To provide information for monitoring the status of species and guiding
conservation efforts.
• Maintained by: IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) - This is an
important fact for exams.
• Different books exist for plants, animals, and other species.

Migration
• Definition: The seasonal movement of a species (especially birds) from one habitat to another in
search of favourable climate conditions, food, or for breeding purposes.
• Reason: To escape harsh, cold conditions or find suitable breeding grounds.
• Example: Siberian Cranes migrate thousands of kilometres from Siberia to places like Bharatpur
in Rajasthan (India) during winter.

. Recycling of Paper

• Importance: Paper is made from wood pulp (trees). Recycling paper saves trees, reduces energy and
water consumption used in manufacturing paper, and decreases the use of harmful chemicals.

Benefit: Helps in conserving forests. Paper can be recycled 5-7 times.

Project Tiger

• Objective: A wildlife conservation project launched by the Government of India in 1973 to protect the
Bengal tiger in its natural habitats and ensure its survival.

• Significance: One of the most successful conservation ventures, aimed at maintaining a viable tiger
population in India

Reforestation
Definition: Restocking of destroyed forests by planting new trees.

Natural Reforestation: If the deforested area is left undisturbed, it can re-establish itself over time.

Planned Reforestation: Planting trees, preferably of the same species that were found in that forest.

COMPLETE IT IN YOUR TUTION NOTEBOOK.