Conservation of Plants & Animals Summary Class 8 NCERT Summary

Deforestation

• Deforestation refers to the clearing of forests to use the land for other activities.
• Trees are cut down for various reasons, such as:
  • Creating land for farming.
  • Constructing homes and factories.
  • Producing furniture or using wood as fuel.

Causes of Deforestation

• Natural causes
• Forest fires
• Severe droughts
• Human activities
• Using land for farming
• Rapid urban growth
• Harvesting wood for fuel and furniture
• Building homes and factories

Consequences of Deforestation

• Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming
• Reduction in groundwater levels
• Higher levels of pollution and temperature
• Reduced soil fertility and rainfall
• More frequent droughts and floods
• Desertification, which is the transformation of fertile land into desert
• Disruption of natural balance
• Fewer trees lead to increased soil erosion
• Deforestation significantly alters soil properties
• Rising temperatures disrupt the water cycle, potentially decreasing rainfall

Biodiversity

• Biodiversity is the species richness of the biosphere. It is defined as the number and variety of life forms such as plants, animals and microorganisms in an area.
• It supports all the essential living resources such as wild life, fisheries and forests.
• Forests help in maintaining the delicate balance of nature.
• Animals living in forests are called wild animals.
• The plants found in a particular area are known as flora of that area.
• The animals found in a particular area constitute fauna of that area.
• Those species of plants and animals, which are found only in a particular area, are called endemic species.
• Species is a group of organisms in population which are capable of interbreeding.
• The animals, whose numbers are diminishing to a level that they might face extinction, are called endangered animals. For example: tiger, lion, and elephants
• Project tiger was launched by the government of India to protect endangered tigers in their natural habitat.
• The flora and fauna of a particular habitat can be protected through special protected areas.

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Protected areas

A protected area is a specific geographical location that is acknowledged and managed by the government to ensure the long-term conservation of nature, culture, and ecosystems. To safeguard our plants and animals along with their habitats, areas designated as wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and biosphere reserves have been established.

Wildlife Sanctuary

• These are locations where animals are safeguarded from hunting and provided with suitable living conditions. 
• Residents in wildlife sanctuaries can carry out certain activities, such as grazing their livestock and gathering medicinal plants and firewood. 
• Examples include Madhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and Chilika Bird Sanctuary in Orissa.

National Parks

• These are the areas reserved for wildlife. They are maintained and preserved by the government for the public to visit.
• For example: Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan, Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, etc.
• Satpura National Park is the first national park in Madhya Pradesh.

Biosphere Reserves

• It is a large protected land for conservation of wild life, plant and animals resources, and the traditional life of the tribal groups living in the area.
• For example: Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve and Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in India.

Red Data Book

• The Red Data Book is an international record maintained by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources).
• India also has its own Red Data Book that lists plants and animals native to the country.
• This book includes details about species that are at risk of extinction.

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Migration

• It refers to the movement of birds and animals from their home area to different locations at specific times.
• Migratory birds travel to far-off places each year due to changes in weather. Their original homes become too cold and lack food.
• Migration is when a species moves from its natural habitat to a different one for a certain period each year, often for reasons like breeding.
• Many migratory birds, such as ducks, geese, flamingos, and cranes, arrive in India every year from various parts of the world.

Recycling of paper

• One ton of paper is made from about seventeen fully-grown trees.
• Papers should be recycled and reused to conserve forest.
• Each paper can be recycled three to seven times.
• Recycling of paper saves trees, energy and water.
• It prevents the release of harmful chemicals emitted during paper manufacturing in nature.

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Reforestation

• Reforestation is the process of replenishing damaged forests by planting new trees.
• The new trees should generally be of the same type as those that originally grew in that forest.
• Reforestation plays a vital role in combating environmental harm by restoring biodiversity and enhancing air quality.
• Various factors lead to deforestation, such as clearing land for farming, constructing houses and factories, and using wood for furniture or fuel.
• Reforestation can occur naturally; if a deforested area is left alone, it can regenerate on its own.