Class 11 Geography (Fundamental of Physical Geography) Chapter 14 Biodiversity And Conservation

Key Concept: Role of Biodiversity

c) Decomposition of organic matter, enriching soil

[Solution Description] Biodiversity contributes to the decomposition of organic material through various organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and earthworms. This process enriches the soil with nutrients, improving its fertility and structure.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

d) Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity

[Solution Description] Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms in different ecosystems, which includes genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

b) It supplies raw materials for food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics

[Solution Description] Biodiversity acts as a reservoir for various biological resources that are essential for food production, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. It provides raw materials and ingredients necessary for these industries.

Key Concept: Conservation Efforts

b) Establishing protected areas

[Solution Description] Establishing protected areas, such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, is a critical strategy for conserving biodiversity by protecting natural habitats and species.

Key Concept: Concept Identification

b) Solar energy and water

[Solution Description] The primary factors affecting the diversity of vegetation and biodiversity are solar energy and water availability. These elements provide essential resources for plant growth, which in turn supports diverse animal populations.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

b) A region with high species biodiversity that is threatened by human activity

[Solution Description] A biodiversity hotspot is a region that is both rich in species diversity and under threat from human activities, making it important for conservation efforts.

Key Concept: Definition Recall

b) Difference between ecosystem types and habitats

[Solution Description] Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of ecosystems within a given region, including the different habitats and ecological processes present.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

c) Promotion of sustainable development and biodiversity conservation

[Solution Description] The Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 resulted in the Convention on Biological Diversity. This convention aimed to promote sustainable development and ensure the conservation of biological resources and their equitable use.

Key Concept: Definition Recall

b) The number and variety of organisms in a geographic region

[Solution Description] Biodiversity refers to the number and variety of organisms found within a specified geographic region, including variability among living organisms on earth. This definition highlights its broad scope encompassing all living entities.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

b) Areas rich in species diversity

[Solution Description] A biodiversity hotspot is defined as a region that is both rich in species diversity and under threat from human activities. These areas are crucial for conservation efforts because they contain a high number of endemic species, which means they have species not found anywhere else.

Key Concept: Basic Role

b) Increases productivity and stability

[Solution Description] Biodiversity plays a crucial role in enhancing ecosystem stability by increasing resilience against environmental changes and disturbances, thereby maintaining productivity and ecological balance.

Key Concept: Definition Recall

c) Small populations confined to limited areas

[Solution Description] Rare species are typically characterized by small populations confined to limited areas.

Key Concept: Loss of Biodiversity

d) Deforestation

[Solution Description] Deforestation is one of the major human activities causing habitat destruction, which leads to significant biodiversity loss by removing habitats necessary for various species’ survival.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

c) Richness

[Solution Description] Species diversity consists of three main components: richness, abundance, and types. Richness refers to the number of different species present in a particular area. Therefore, option c) Richness is a correct component of species diversity.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

c) Variation of genes within species

[Solution Description] Genetic diversity refers to the variation of genes within a species or population, which is crucial for their ability to adapt to changing environments and survive.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

c) Habitats for species

[Solution Description] Forests play a crucial role in providing habitats for various species, contributing significantly to biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

c) To recognize the intrinsic rights of all species to exist

[Solution Description] The primary ethical responsibility towards biodiversity is ensuring that all species have the intrinsic right to exist without being exploited by humans.

Key Concept: Classification of Species

b) Endangered

[Solution Description] The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorizes species based on their risk of extinction. The categories include Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, etc. Among these, “Endangered” is used for species that face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

c) Extinct in the Wild

[Solution Description] The term used for species that are extinct in the wild, meaning they only exist in captivity or through other forms of artificial propagation, is known as “Extinct in the Wild.”

Key Concept: Characteristic Identification

b) Different physical appearances

[Solution Description] Genetic diversity results in different physical characteristics within a species. In humans, this includes differences in height, skin color, eye color, etc., due to variations in genes.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

c) Maintaining genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity

[Solution Description] The primary focus of marine biodiversity conservation is to protect and maintain the variety of life forms, habitats, and ecosystems in ocean environments. This ensures ecological balance and sustainability.

Key Concept: Biodiversity Importance

b) It increases genetic diversity, enabling adaptation to changes.

[Solution Description] Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem stability by enhancing resilience against environmental changes, ensuring all ecological niches are filled, and supporting intricate food webs that maintain balance.

Key Concept: Importance Recognition

b) It ensures a healthy breeding population

[Solution Description] Genetic diversity is crucial for species as it ensures a healthy breeding population. It helps them adapt to environmental changes and maintain ecosystem health.

Key Concept: Definition Recall

c) To conserve wildlife and biodiversity

[Solution Description]

The primary purpose of a national park is to conserve wildlife and biodiversity, where human interference is minimized to protect habitats for feeding, breeding, resting, and nursing of species.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

a) Anthropogenic impact

[Solution Description] The loss of biodiversity due to human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and over-exploitation is commonly referred to as “anthropogenic impact.”

Key Concept: Simple Recall

b) 12

[Solution Description] The concept of mega diversity centers identifies 12 countries that harbor the majority of Earth’s species, making them crucial for global biodiversity conservation efforts.

Key Concept: IUCN Categories

b) Vulnerable

[Solution Description] The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies species as “Vulnerable” when they are at high risk of becoming endangered if threats to their survival do not decrease.

Key Concept: Definition Recall

c) The variety and abundance of species within an ecosystem

[Solution Description] Species diversity refers to the variety and abundance of different species within an ecosystem. It is one of the three levels of biodiversity, along with genetic diversity and ecosystem diversity.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

a) Variation of genes within species

[Solution Description] Genetic diversity refers to the variation of genes within species. In humans, this means there is a variety of different genes that contribute to the differences seen among individuals.

Key Concept: Biodiversity Hotspots

b) Rich in species diversity

[Solution Description] Biodiversity hotspots are regions that have a high level of endemic species and experience significant habitat loss, thus they are rich in species diversity.

Key Concept: Species Diversity

c) Variety of species

[Solution Description] Species diversity refers to the variety of different species present in a defined area. It is one aspect of biodiversity, focusing on the number and abundance of different species in a particular environment.

Key Concept: Biodiversity Distribution

d) Tropics

[Solution Description] Biodiversity is known to be richest in tropical regions due to their favorable climate, consistent weather patterns, and vast array of ecosystems that support a wide variety of species.

Key Concept: Species Classification

d) Vulnerable

[Solution Description] The IUCN classifies species as Endangered, Vulnerable, or Rare based on the risk of extinction; species at a high risk but not critically endangered fall under “Vulnerable.”

Key Concept: Basic Definition

c) To conserve and prevent their extinction

[Solution Description] The primary ethical responsibility towards endangered species is to conserve them and prevent their extinction. This involves taking measures to preserve their habitats and ensuring they are protected from further harm.

Key Concept: Biodiversity Distribution

c) Tropical regions

[Solution Description] Biodiversity is consistently richer in tropical regions due to factors like climate stability and habitat diversity.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

b) Movement of seeds away from the parent plant

[Solution Description] Seed dispersal is the movement or transport of seeds away from the parent plant to reduce competition and increase the chances for germination in new, favorable environments.

Key Concept: Identification

b) Western Ghats

[Solution Description] Biodiversity hotspots are regions with significant levels of biodiversity that are threatened by human habitation. The Western Ghats, located in India, is one of these hotspots.

Key Concept: Biodiversity Definition

b) The number and variety of organisms in a region

[Solution Description] Biodiversity refers to the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems; it includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

b) Biodiversity

[Solution Description] Agro-biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of animals, plants, and microorganisms that are used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture. It is considered as a component of biodiversity.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

c) Likely to become endangered in the near future

[Solution Description] Vulnerable species are those that are likely to become endangered unless the circumstances threatening their survival and reproduction improve.

Key Concept: Advanced Cause and Effect, Ethical Considerations

d) Seek international collaboration for sustainable bioprospecting

[Solution Description] Ethically, it is essential to weigh both human benefits and the intrinsic right of the species to exist. Sustainable bioprospecting, which involves the careful extraction and replication of genetic material without causing harm to the source population, would be ideal. This respects both medical advancement and biodiversity conservation ethics.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

c) The variety of species within an ecosystem

[Solution Description]

Species diversity refers to the variety of different species within a specific ecosystem or across the entire biosphere. It encompasses not only the number of species but also their relative abundance and distribution. Therefore, species diversity is an important aspect of biodiversity that helps in maintaining ecological balance.

Key Concept: Role in Ecosystems

b) It sustains ecosystems by maintaining species roles.

[Solution Description] Biodiversity helps sustain ecosystems by maintaining varied species roles, contributing to stability and resilience.

Key Concept: Pollution Effects

b) Hypoxia due to limited oxygen exchange

[Solution Description] Hydrocarbons, when released into marine environments, often result from oil spills. These hydrocarbons form a layer on the water surface, restricting oxygen exchange between the atmosphere and ocean, leading to decreased dissolved oxygen levels. This condition results in hypoxia or ‘dead zones’ where most aquatic life cannot survive.

Key Concept: Definition Recall

b) An area with high species diversity and significant habitat loss

[Solution Description] A biodiversity hotspot is an area that must have at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics and it must have lost at least 70% of its original habitat.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

b) The variety of genes within a species

[Solution Description] Genetic diversity refers to the variety of genes within a particular species, population, or community. It is essential for providing individuals and populations with the capacity to adapt to changing environments.

Key Concept: Definition Check

b) Biodiversity

[Solution Description] The term that describes the variety of life on Earth, encompassing all living organisms and their interactions with each other and their environments, is known as biodiversity.

Key Concept: Conservation Purpose

c) Conservation

[Solution Description] National parks and wildlife sanctuaries are established primarily for the purpose of conserving biodiversity, protecting endangered species, and preserving natural habitats.

Key Concept: Biodiversity Loss

c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.

[Solution Description] The assertion states that over-exploitation, such as overfishing, reduces biodiversity by depleting certain species and disrupting the balance of marine ecosystems. This is true because continued harvesting at unsustainable levels can lead to population declines or extinction of species, thereby reducing biodiversity. However, the reason given is incorrect because it suggests that marine species can rapidly rebound from overfishing due to unlimited reproductive rates, which is not true for all species. Many marine species have specific breeding cycles, growth rates, and environmental dependencies meaning they cannot quickly recover once their populations are significantly reduced. Therefore, the reason is false, resulting in option c).

Key Concept: Species Diversity

b) Hotspots

[Solution Description] Areas that are rich in species diversity are known as “hotspots.” These regions have a high number of different species and often contain many endemic species.

Key Concept: Species Definition

b) Variety of species

[Solution Description] Species diversity refers to the variety of species within a particular region or ecosystem, including the different types and abundance of each species present.

Key Concept: Conservation Purpose

c) To conserve biodiversity

[Solution Description] The primary purpose of establishing biosphere reserves is to conserve biological diversity, promote sustainable development, and support research, monitoring, education, and information exchange related to conservation.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

c) The number and variety of organisms in a geographic region

[Solution Description] Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life forms within a given ecosystem, region, or the entire Earth. It includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems.

Key Concept: Impact of Exotic Species

c) They can cause damage to native species

[Solution Description] Exotic species often compete with native species for resources, sometimes leading to displacement or decline of native species due to the competitive advantage of the exotics.

Key Concept: Basic Definition

b) The number of different species in an area

[Solution Description] Species diversity refers to the variety and abundance of different types of species within a given area or ecosystem. It is one of the components of biodiversity, which includes genetic diversity and ecosystem diversity as well.

Key Concept: Threats to Biodiversity

c) Deforestation

[Solution Description] One of the significant human-induced threats to biodiversity is deforestation, impacting habitats and causing species extinction.