Conservation of Plants and Animals

Q52. What will happen if:
(a) we go on cutting trees.
(b) the habitat of an animal is disturbed.
(c) the top layer of soil is exposed.

Ans. If we go on cutting trees

If cutting of trees continues, rainfall and the fertility of the soil will decrease. Moreover, there will be increased chances of natural calamities such as floods and droughts. Fewer trees would mean that less carbon dioxide will be used up resulting in increase of its amount in the atmosphere. This will lead to global warming as carbon dioxide traps the heat rays reflected by the earth. Due to the destruction of forests, wildlife is disappearing. Many species have disappeared and many are on the verge of extinction.

b. If the habitat of an animal is disturbed

                           i.        Cutting trees can result in the loss of habitat for animal species, which can harm ecosystems.

                          ii.        The removal of trees and other types of vegetation reduces available food, shelter, and breeding habitat.

                         iii.        Animals that lose their native habitats are forced into new areas in search of shelter and food.

c. If the top layer of soil is exposed

Fewer trees result in more soil erosion. Removal of the top layer of the soil exposes the lower, hard and rocky layers. This soil has less humus and is less fertile. Gradually the fertile land gets converted into deserts.

Q53. What are the causes and consequences of deforestation?

Ans. Causes of deforestation

                          i.        Forests are cut down to obtain more agricultural land.

                         ii.        Forests shrink to a great extent to meet the requirements like for construction of roads, development of houses, mineral exploitation and expansion of industries.

                        iii.        Forests are cut down to obtain wood for making paper.

                        iv.        Forests are cut down to obtain wood for firewood and for making doors, windows and furniture.

                         v.        Natural factors such as forest fires and drought also causes deforestation.

Consequences of deforestation

                         i.        Deforestation will cause an increase in temperature of earth’s atmosphere leading to global warming.

                        ii.        Deforestation disturbs the water cycle and may reduce rainfall. This could cause droughts.

                       iii.        Deforestation leads to the change in soil properties and leads to desertification.

                       iv.        Deforestation leads to extinction of many wild animals and plants.

                       v.        Deforestation also leads to a decrease in the water holding capacity of the soil. This could cause floods.

Q54. Discuss the effects of deforestation on the following:
(a) Wild animals
(b) Environment
(c) Villages (Rural areas)
(d) Cities (Urban areas)
(e) Earth
(f) The next generation

Ans. a. Effects of deforestation on wild animals - Plant life forms the natural habitat of various animals of the ecosystem. Deforestation can lead to a direct loss of wildlife habitat as well as a general degradation of their habitat. The removal of trees and other types of vegetation reduces available food, shelter, and breeding habitat. Destroying the plant life will ultimately threaten the existence of animals in that particular ecosystem and may lead to their extinction.

b. Effects of deforestation on environment –

                         i.        Plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Fewer trees would mean that less carbon dioxide will be used up resulting in its increased amount in the atmosphere. This will lead to global warming as carbon dioxide traps the heat rays reflected by the earth.

                        ii.        The increase in temperature on the earth disturbs the water cycle and may reduce rainfall. This could cause droughts.

                       iii.        Deforestation is a major cause which leads to the change in soil properties. Gradually the fertile land gets converted into deserts. It is called desertification.

                       iv.        Deforestation also leads to a decrease in the water holding capacity of the soil. The movement of water from the soil surface into the ground is reduced. So, there are floods.

c. Effects of deforestation on villages (Rural areas) -

                          i.        Soil erosion is increased by deforestation activities. Soil loses its fertility and humus. Gradually the fertile land gets converted into deserts. Hence, a fertile land, fit for agriculture and a source of living for farmers turns into a desert.

                         ii.        Due to deforestation various wild animals run to nearby villages and cause danger to them. Villagers will not get fruits, fuel, wood due to deforestation. Moreover they are devoid of other benefits like fruit, fuel, wood etc. they get from forests.

                        iii.        Deforestation may leads to frequent floods and droughts.

d. Effects of deforestation on cities (Urban areas)

                         i.        Deforestation can increase the risk of many natural calamities such as floods and droughts in that area.

                        ii.        It can lead to global warming due to an increase in the level of CO₂ in the atmosphere.

e. Effects of deforestation on Earth

                           i.        Plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) and release oxygen (O₂). If there are fewer trees, less carbon dioxide is absorbed and therefore less oxygen is released. This is a threat to living organisms.

                          ii.        Deforestation disrupts the plant and animal kingdoms. As birds, insects and other animals help with the pollination of plants and the dispersal of seeds, the loss of bird and animal species as a result of decreasing habitats, results in less pollination and there is therefore less regeneration of the forest.

                         iii.        Plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Fewer trees would mean that less carbon dioxide will be used up resulting in its increased amount in the atmosphere. This will lead to global warming as carbon dioxide traps the heat rays reflected by the earth.

                         iv.        The increase in temperature on the earth disturbs the water cycle and may reduce rainfall. This could cause droughts.

                          v.        Deforestation is a major cause which leads to the change in soil properties. Gradually the fertile land gets converted into deserts. It is called desertification.

                         vi.        Deforestation also leads to a decrease in the water holding capacity of the soil. The movement of water from the soil surface into the ground is reduced. So, there are floods.

f. Effects of deforestation on the next generation.

Deforestation affects the environment adversely. It causes soil erosion, global warming, desertification, drought, greenhouse effect, floods and many other problems. As a result, the next generations have to face the consequences of deforestation.