Quick Revision Notes & Formula Sheet

Class 8 Science - Chapter: Conservation of Plants and Animals

MP Board Education

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### 1. Important Definitions (महत्वपूर्ण परिभाषाएँ)

• Biodiversity (जैविक विविधता): The variety of plants, animals, and microorganisms generally found in an area.
• Deforestation (वनों की कटाई): Clearing of forests over a wide area for agriculture, factories, or housing.
• Conservation (संरक्षण): The sustainable use and protection of natural resources, including plants and animals, to prevent their destruction.
• Biosphere Reserve (जैव मंडल आरक्षित क्षेत्र): Large areas of protected land meant for the conservation of wildlife, plant and animal resources, and the traditional life of the tribals living in the area.
• Flora (वनस्पतिजात): All the plant life occurring in a particular region.
• Fauna (प्राणीजात): All the animal life occurring in a particular region.
• Endemic Species (विशेष क्षेत्री प्रजातियाँ): Species of plants and animals that are found exclusively in a particular area and nowhere else in the world. (Example: Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve's Indian giant squirrel and Wild mango).
• Extinct Species (विलुप्त प्रजातियाँ): Species that no longer exist anywhere on Earth. (Example: Dinosaur).
• Endangered Species (संकटापन्न प्रजातियाँ): Species whose numbers are diminishing to a level that they might face extinction. (Example: Tiger, Blue whale, Elephant).
• Migratory Birds (प्रवासी पक्षी): Birds that fly to faraway areas every year during a particular time because of climatic changes. (Example: Siberian Crane).
• Reforestation (पुनर्वनीकरण): Restocking of the destroyed forests by planting new trees.

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### 2. Causes and Consequences of Deforestation

Causes of Deforestation:

1. Procuring land for cultivation (खेती के लिए भूमि).
2. Building houses and factories (घर और कारखाने बनाना).
3. Making furniture or using wood as fuel (फर्नीचर या ईंधन के लिए लकड़ी का उपयोग).
4. Natural causes like forest fires and severe droughts (प्राकृतिक कारण जैसे दावानल और सूखा).

Consequences of Deforestation:

• Increase in temperature and pollution levels on the earth (पृथ्वी पर तापमान और प्रदूषण में वृद्धि).
• Increase in carbon dioxide (CO_2) level leading to global warming (ग्लोबल वार्मिंग).
• Decrease in groundwater level (भूजल स्तर में कमी).
• Disruption in the water cycle, leading to droughts (वर्षा और जल चक्र में बाधा, जिससे सूखा पड़ता है).
• Soil erosion, leading to desertification (मृदा अपरदन और मरुस्थलीकरण).

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### 3. Protected Areas for Conservation

To protect our flora and fauna and their habitats, protected areas called Sanctuaries, National Parks, and Biosphere Reserves have been earmarked.

1. Wildlife Sanctuary (वन्यजीव अभयारण्य): Areas where animals are protected from any disturbance to them and their habitat. (Hunting and poaching are strictly prohibited here).
2. National Park (राष्ट्रीय उद्यान): Areas reserved for wild life where they can freely use the habitats and natural resources. (Human activities like grazing, forestry are not allowed).
3. Biosphere Reserve (जैव मंडल आरक्षित क्षेत्र): Areas meant for conserving biodiversity. It may contain other protected areas within it. (Example: Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, which includes one national park named Satpura and two wildlife sanctuaries named Bori and Pachmarhi).

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### 4. Red Data Book

• Definition: The Red Data Book is the source book which keeps a record of all the endangered animals and plants.
• Maintained by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
• Helps scientists and governments track species that are at risk of extinction.

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### 5. Recycling and Saving Paper

• Paper is made from trees.
• Data to Remember: To make one tonne of paper, 17 full-grown trees are cut down.
• Action Steps:
  • Save, reuse, and recycle paper.
  • By recycling paper 5 to 7 times, we can save many trees and energy.

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### 6. Reforestation vs. Afforestation

• Reforestation: Restocking of the destroyed forest by planting new trees. (Ideally, the planted trees should be of the same species that were cut down). Reforestation can happen naturally if the forest is left undisturbed.
• Afforestation: Planting trees in an area where there was no forest previously (creating a new forest).