Chapter 7: Conservation of plants and animals

These NCERT Class 8 Science Chapter 7 notes explain conservation of plants and animals in a clear and structured manner. The chapter focuses on the importance of biodiversity and the need to protect forests and wildlife.

It discusses deforestation, its causes and effects, and the role of protected areas like wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and biosphere reserves. It also explains endangered species, endemic species, Red Data Book, migration and reforestation.

Chapter 7 – Conservation of Plants and Animals is important for understanding environmental protection and ecological balance. It is highly relevant for school examinations and foundation level competitive preparation.

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1. Introduction: why conservation is needed

• Conservation means protection and proper management of natural resources.
• Plants and animals are essential parts of the ecosystem.
• Human activities like cutting forests, hunting and pollution disturb nature.
• Loss of plants and animals reduces biodiversity.
• Conserving forests and wildlife ensures resources for future generations.

2. Deforestation and its causes

• Deforestation means cutting down forests on a large scale.
• Expansion of agriculture and industrialisation are major causes.
• Construction of houses, roads and dams leads to forest clearing.
• Forest fires and overgrazing also destroy forests.
• Deforestation disturbs ecological balance.

3. Effects of deforestation

• Cutting trees increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
• Increased carbon dioxide leads to global warming.
• It causes soil erosion and loss of fertile soil.
• Deforestation results in floods, droughts and climate change.
• Wildlife loses its natural habitat due to forest destruction.

4. Conservation of forests and wildlife

• Wildlife conservation means protecting animals and plants from extinction.
• Conservation maintains ecological balance in nature.
• It protects biodiversity and natural habitats.
• Conservation ensures availability of forest resources.
• Proper management helps in sustainable development.

5. Protected areas for conservation

• Wildlife sanctuaries protect animals from hunting and limit human activities.
• National parks provide strict protection and do not allow grazing or tree cutting.
• Biosphere reserves are large protected areas conserving plants, animals and tribal culture.
• Protected areas help in maintaining biodiversity.
• Government creates protected areas to prevent extinction.

6. Zones of a biosphere reserve

• A biosphere reserve has three zones: core zone, buffer zone and transition zone.
• The core zone is fully protected and does not allow human activity.
• The buffer zone allows limited activities like research and education.
• The transition zone allows human settlements and farming.
• Zoning ensures both protection and sustainable use of resources.

7. Flora and fauna

• Flora refers to plants found in a particular region.
• Fauna refers to animals found in a particular region.
• Different regions have different flora and fauna.
• For example, cactus is flora of Rajasthan.
• Deer is an example of fauna found in Bihar.

8. Endemic species

• Endemic species are species found only in a particular area.
• They are not naturally found anywhere else.
• Endemic species are highly sensitive to habitat destruction.
• Protection of their habitat is essential for survival.
• Sal trees in certain regions are examples of endemic species.

9. Endangered and extinct species

• Endangered species are species that are at risk of extinction.
• Causes include deforestation, hunting and pollution.
• Examples include tiger, rhinoceros and Asiatic lion.
• Extinct species are species that no longer exist on Earth.
• Dinosaur is an example of an extinct species.

10. Red data book

• The Red Data Book is a record of endangered plants and animals.
• It provides information for conservation planning.
• It helps identify species facing extinction.
• Governments and organisations use it for protection measures.
• It plays an important role in wildlife conservation.

11. Migration in animals

• Migration is the movement of animals from one place to another.
• Animals migrate for food, breeding and better climate.
• Migration is usually seasonal.
• Birds are common migratory animals.
• Siberian crane migrates to India during winter.

12. Recycling of paper

• Recycling means converting waste materials into reusable products.
• Recycling paper saves trees and reduces deforestation.
• It saves energy and reduces waste.
• Recycling supports resource conservation.
• One tonne of recycled paper saves many trees.

13. Reforestation and afforestation

• Reforestation means planting trees again in deforested areas.
• It restores forest cover and improves rainfall.
• Reforestation helps prevent soil erosion.
• Afforestation means planting trees in areas where there were no forests earlier.
• These measures help in environmental protection.

14. Key exam-oriented keywords explained

• Conservation: Protection and careful management of natural resources.
• Biodiversity: Variety of plants and animals found in a region.
• Deforestation: Large-scale cutting of forests.
• Wildlife sanctuary: Protected area for conserving animals.
• National park: Strictly protected area for wildlife and forests.
• Biosphere reserve: Large area conserving plants, animals and culture.
• Flora: Plants of a particular region.
• Fauna: Animals of a particular region.
• Endemic species: Species found only in a specific area.
• Endangered species: Species at risk of extinction.
• Extinct species: Species that no longer exist.
• Red Data Book: Record of endangered species.
• Migration: Seasonal movement of animals.
• Reforestation: Replanting trees in deforested areas.

15. One-page summary for quick revision

• Deforestation leads to global warming and loss of biodiversity.
• Conservation helps maintain ecological balance.
• Protected areas like sanctuaries and national parks save wildlife.
• Endangered species need protection to prevent extinction.
• Reforestation and recycling help conserve natural resources.

Understanding NCERT Class 8 Science Chapter 7 is essential to learn how conservation protects biodiversity and maintains ecological balance. The chapter clearly explains deforestation, protected areas and endangered species.

The concepts help students understand sustainable development and environmental responsibility. It is highly useful for school exams and foundation competitive preparation.

Continue reading NCERT Class 8 Science Chapter 8 – Cell: Structure and Functions to understand the basic unit of life.

FAQs

Q1. What is conservation?
Conservation means protection and proper management of natural resources like plants and animals.

Q2. What is deforestation?
Deforestation is the large-scale cutting down of forests.

Q3. What are wildlife sanctuaries?
Wildlife sanctuaries are protected areas where animals are protected from hunting and human interference is limited.

Q4. What is the Red Data Book?
The Red Data Book is a record of endangered plants and animals maintained for conservation purposes.

Q5. Why is this chapter important for exams?
It explains biodiversity, conservation and environmental protection, which are important for school exams and foundation preparation.

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