Answer the following.
a. Write the factors affecting environment.
b. Why does the human beings have important place in environment?
c. Write the types and examples of biodiversity.
d. How the biodiversity can be conserved?
e. What do we learn from the story of Jadav Molai Peyang?
f. Write the names of biodiversity hot spots.
g. Which are the reasons for endangering the many species of plants and animals? How can we save those?
a. Write the factors affecting environment.
b. Why does the human beings have important place in environment?
c. Write the types and examples of biodiversity.
d. How the biodiversity can be conserved?
e. What do we learn from the story of Jadav Molai Peyang?
f. Write the names of biodiversity hot spots.
g. Which are the reasons for endangering the many species of plants and animals? How can we save those?
a. The factors which affect the environment are grouped into two categories- biotic and abiotic factors.
Biotic factors refer to the living components of an ecosystem like animals and plants.
Abiotic factors refer to the non living components of an ecosystem, for example, sunlight, temperature, air etc.
The biotic and abiotic factors together affect the environment as both are connected to each other. Abiotic factors are required for the existence and survival of organisms.
b. There is an inter relationship between humans and environment which means humans and environment are interconnected. The existence of humans is not possible without striking a balance with the environment. Humans developed ways to use these natural resources for their existence, however when these needs turned into greed, it resulted in over exploitation of resources. Over exploitation of resources by humans have threatened the existence of other species as well, resulting in their extinction. Various problems like global warming, changed weather patterns, water scarcity etc. are results of human activities. These problems highlight the fact that how imporatant is the role of humans with respect to environment. If human activites are controlled and an effort is made to make harmony with the nature, it is most probable we can revert these environmental changes and if we fail to do so, it could have devastating effects.
c. There are 3 types of diversity which are as follows:
Genetic diversity: Genetic diversity refers to the diversity which occurs among the organisms of same species. For example, the diversity which is found among humans, each human being is different from another.
Species diversity: Species diversity refers to the innumerable species of organisms which are found in nature ranging from plants, animals to microbes.
Ecosystem diversity: Ecosystem diversity refers to the various kinds of ecosystem which are found in a region. Each ecosystem will have its own characteristic plants, animals, abiotic factors etc.
d. Two approaches followed for the conservation of biodiversity are:
- In-situ conservation: In order to conserve biodiversity better, biodiversity hotspots all around the world have been identified and protected. In India, biosphere reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks have been developed for this purpose.
- Ex-situ conservation: The threatened species of plants and animals are taken out of their habitats and are kept in special settings such as zoological parks, botanical gardens, and wildlife parks. Nowadays, the gametes of endangered species can be preserved by methods such as cryopreservation. They can also be fertilized in-vitro followed by propagation through tissue culture methods. Similarly, seeds can be preserved in seed banks.
e. Jadav Molai Peyang was a nomadic tribe born in Assam. There is a jungle which has been named on his name to hounour his hardwork. After a flood affected the areas of Assam, Jadav started a reforestation process by planting 20 bamboo plants. This initiative was then supported by the Assam government and with the hardwork of Jadav and the government, the barren area witnessed the forest cover over the 1360 acres. His contrbution to the environment was acknowleged by honouring him with the 'Padmashree' award. His story gives us a message that a single person can bring about a big change and it is the will which is required to do so.
f. Biodiversity hotspots are regions with high species richness and high degree of endemism. Endemism is the indigenousness of a species to a particular region. Western Ghats, Sri Lanka, Himalaya and Indo-Burma are the high biodiversity regions that cover India.
g. The last 20 years have seen the loss of 27 species. Some of the causes of this loss are:
-
Habitat loss and fragmentation: This is the major cause for loss of biodiversity. Habitat destruction is caused by human activities such as deforestation and increasing pollution, leading to the loss of many plants and animals. Habitat fragmentation is the breaking up of habitat of a particular species into fragments.
-
Over-exploitation: Humans, because of their greed and increased exploitation of natural resources, have contributed to the endangerment of commercially important species of plants and animals. Species such as the Steller’s sea cow and passenger pigeons have become extinct as a result of over-exploitation by humans.
- Co-extinction: When plants or animals become extinct, other plants or animals that are dependant on it in an obligatory way also become extinct.
Endangered plant and animal species can be saved by adopting methods which do not disturb their environment. We need to protect the habitats in which they survive and also protect them from poachers and hunters. Lot of steps are being taken at personal and public level to ensure their protection.
Biotic factors refer to the living components of an ecosystem like animals and plants.
Abiotic factors refer to the non living components of an ecosystem, for example, sunlight, temperature, air etc.
The biotic and abiotic factors together affect the environment as both are connected to each other. Abiotic factors are required for the existence and survival of organisms.
b. There is an inter relationship between humans and environment which means humans and environment are interconnected. The existence of humans is not possible without striking a balance with the environment. Humans developed ways to use these natural resources for their existence, however when these needs turned into greed, it resulted in over exploitation of resources. Over exploitation of resources by humans have threatened the existence of other species as well, resulting in their extinction. Various problems like global warming, changed weather patterns, water scarcity etc. are results of human activities. These problems highlight the fact that how imporatant is the role of humans with respect to environment. If human activites are controlled and an effort is made to make harmony with the nature, it is most probable we can revert these environmental changes and if we fail to do so, it could have devastating effects.
c. There are 3 types of diversity which are as follows:
Genetic diversity: Genetic diversity refers to the diversity which occurs among the organisms of same species. For example, the diversity which is found among humans, each human being is different from another.
Species diversity: Species diversity refers to the innumerable species of organisms which are found in nature ranging from plants, animals to microbes.
Ecosystem diversity: Ecosystem diversity refers to the various kinds of ecosystem which are found in a region. Each ecosystem will have its own characteristic plants, animals, abiotic factors etc.
d. Two approaches followed for the conservation of biodiversity are:
- In-situ conservation: In order to conserve biodiversity better, biodiversity hotspots all around the world have been identified and protected. In India, biosphere reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks have been developed for this purpose.
- Ex-situ conservation: The threatened species of plants and animals are taken out of their habitats and are kept in special settings such as zoological parks, botanical gardens, and wildlife parks. Nowadays, the gametes of endangered species can be preserved by methods such as cryopreservation. They can also be fertilized in-vitro followed by propagation through tissue culture methods. Similarly, seeds can be preserved in seed banks.
e. Jadav Molai Peyang was a nomadic tribe born in Assam. There is a jungle which has been named on his name to hounour his hardwork. After a flood affected the areas of Assam, Jadav started a reforestation process by planting 20 bamboo plants. This initiative was then supported by the Assam government and with the hardwork of Jadav and the government, the barren area witnessed the forest cover over the 1360 acres. His contrbution to the environment was acknowleged by honouring him with the 'Padmashree' award. His story gives us a message that a single person can bring about a big change and it is the will which is required to do so.
f. Biodiversity hotspots are regions with high species richness and high degree of endemism. Endemism is the indigenousness of a species to a particular region. Western Ghats, Sri Lanka, Himalaya and Indo-Burma are the high biodiversity regions that cover India.
g. The last 20 years have seen the loss of 27 species. Some of the causes of this loss are:
-
Habitat loss and fragmentation: This is the major cause for loss of biodiversity. Habitat destruction is caused by human activities such as deforestation and increasing pollution, leading to the loss of many plants and animals. Habitat fragmentation is the breaking up of habitat of a particular species into fragments.
-
Over-exploitation: Humans, because of their greed and increased exploitation of natural resources, have contributed to the endangerment of commercially important species of plants and animals. Species such as the Steller’s sea cow and passenger pigeons have become extinct as a result of over-exploitation by humans.
- Co-extinction: When plants or animals become extinct, other plants or animals that are dependant on it in an obligatory way also become extinct.
Endangered plant and animal species can be saved by adopting methods which do not disturb their environment. We need to protect the habitats in which they survive and also protect them from poachers and hunters. Lot of steps are being taken at personal and public level to ensure their protection.
