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Conservation of Biodiversity - Biosphere Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and National Parks

Grade 8CBSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms (floraflora and faunafauna) found in a specific area, their interrelationships, and their interaction with the environment.

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Biosphere Reserves are large areas of protected land for the conservation of wildlife, plant and animal resources, and the traditional life of the tribals living in the area. A biosphere reserve may contain other protected areas like National Parks and Sanctuaries.

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Wildlife Sanctuaries provide protection and suitable living conditions to wild animals. Here, certain human activities like harvesting of timber or collecting medicinal plants are allowed as long as they do not harm the animals.

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National Parks are areas reserved for wildlife where they can freely use the habitats and natural resources. Human activities such as grazing, hunting, and forestry are strictly prohibited. Example: SatpuraSatpura National Park is the first reserve forest of India.

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Endemic Species are those species of plants and animals which are found exclusively in a particular area. For example, the WildWild MangoMango is endemic to the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

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Deforestation leads to an increase in CO2CO_2 levels in the atmosphere. Because plants use CO2CO_2 for photosynthesis, fewer trees mean more CO2CO_2 remains, which traps heat reflected by the Earth, causing global warming.

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The Red Data Book is a source book that maintains an international record of all endangeredendangered species of animals and plants.

📐Formulae

6CO2+6H2O→Sunlight/ChlorophyllC6H12O6+6O26CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow{Sunlight/Chlorophyll} C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2

Species Density=Total Number of individuals of a speciesTotal area sampled\text{Species Density} = \frac{\text{Total Number of individuals of a species}}{\text{Total area sampled}}

↑[CO2]  ⟹  ↑Infrared Radiation Trapped  ⟹  ↑Global Temperature\uparrow [CO_2] \implies \uparrow \text{Infrared Radiation Trapped} \implies \uparrow \text{Global Temperature}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

Identify the endemic fauna of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve and explain why they are considered endemic.

Solution:

The BisonBison, IndianIndian giantgiant squirrelsquirrel, and flyingflying squirrelsquirrel are the endemic fauna of this area.

Explanation:

They are considered endemic because they are found exclusively in this geographical zone and are not naturally found anywhere else. Their survival is often linked to the specific habitat of that area.

Problem 2:

How does deforestation disturb the balance of gases in the atmosphere, specifically involving CO2CO_2 and O2O_2?

Solution:

Deforestation reduces the number of trees, leading to a decrease in O2O_2 production and an increase in CO2CO_2 concentration.

Explanation:

Trees consume CO2CO_2 for photosynthesis as shown by 6CO2+6H2O→C6H12O6+6O26CO_2 + 6H_2O \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2. When trees are cut, the CO2CO_2 that would have been used for food stays in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Problem 3:

Differentiate between a Wildlife Sanctuary and a National Park based on human activity.

Solution:

Wildlife Sanctuary: Limited human activity allowed; National Park: No human activity allowed.

Explanation:

In Wildlife Sanctuaries, local people may be allowed to collect firewood or medicinal plants. In contrast, National Parks are strictly for the protection of the entire ecosystem, including the landscape and historic objects, with no human interference permitted.