1. Expand IUCN.

Answer:
International Union for Conservation of Nature.

2. What does the term genetic diversity refer to? What is the significance of large genetic diversity
in a population?

Answer:

 Genetic diversity: Refers to the variety of genes within a species or population.

 Significance:

1. Increases adaptability to changing environmental conditions.

2. Enhances the survival chances of species in the face of diseases or climate change.

3. India has more than 50,000 strains of rice. Mention the level of biodiversity it represents.

Answer:
This represents genetic diversity, as the variety lies within a single species of rice.

4. Write the importance of cryopreservation in the conservation of biodiversity.

Answer:
Cryopreservation involves preserving genetic material (e.g., seeds, embryos) at ultra-low
temperatures.

 Importance:

1. Prevents the extinction of endangered species.

2. Maintains a genetic repository for future use in breeding or restoration programs.

5. Why is Eichhornia crassipes nicknamed "Terror of Bengal"?

Answer:

 Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) is called the "Terror of Bengal" because it grows rapidly,
blocking water bodies, depleting oxygen levels, and disrupting aquatic ecosystems.

6. What is cryopreservation? Give its one use.

Answer:
Cryopreservation is the process of preserving biological materials at extremely low temperatures
(usually in liquid nitrogen).

 Use: Preserves seeds, embryos, or gametes of endangered species for conservation.

7. What is biodiversity? Why is it a matter of concern now?

Answer:

 Biodiversity: The variety of life forms on Earth, including species, genetic, and ecosystem
diversity.

 Concern: Loss of biodiversity due to habitat destruction, pollution, climate change,

overexploitation, and invasive species threatens ecological balance and human survival.

8. What is alpha/beta diversity in an ecosystem? What is the significance of large genetic diversity
in a population?

Answer:

 Alpha diversity: Diversity within a specific area or ecosystem (e.g., species richness in a
forest).

 Beta diversity: Diversity between ecosystems or along environmental gradients (e.g.,

comparing a forest and a grassland).

 Significance of genetic diversity: Enhances species' adaptability to changing environments

and resilience against diseases.

9. What are exotic species? Explain with the help of two examples how the exotic species disturb
the native species of an ecosystem.

Answer:

 Exotic species: Species introduced into a new ecosystem where they are not naturally found.

 Examples:

1. Eichhornia crassipes: Disrupts aquatic ecosystems, reduces oxygen, and kills aquatic
fauna.

2. Lantana camara: Outcompetes native vegetation, reducing biodiversity.

10. A particular species of wild cat is endangered. In order to save it from extinction, which is
desirable: in situ or ex situ? Justify your answer and explain the difference between the two
approaches.

Answer:

 Desirable approach: In situ conservation is preferable as it preserves the species in its

natural habitat, maintaining ecological interactions.

 Difference:
 o In situ conservation: Protecting species in their natural ecosystems (e.g., national
parks).

o Ex situ conservation: Conserving species outside their natural habitats (e.g., zoos,
botanical gardens).

11. In the biosphere immense biological diversity exists at all levels of biological organization.
Explain any two levels of biodiversity.

Answer:

1. Genetic diversity: Variability in genes within a species (e.g., 50,000 rice strains in India).

2. Ecosystem diversity: Variety of ecosystems within a region (e.g., forests, deserts, wetlands).

12. Biodiversity must be conserved as it plays an important role in many ecosystem services.
Explain any two services of the ecosystem.

Answer:

1. Pollination: Bees and other pollinators enable crop reproduction.

2. Nutrient cycling: Decomposers recycle nutrients, maintaining soil fertility.

13. Why certain regions have been declared biodiversity "hotspots" by environmentalists of the
world? Name any two hotspots of India.

Answer:

 Hotspots: Regions with high species richness and endemism but facing significant habitat
loss.

 Two Indian hotspots:

1. Western Ghats.

2. Himalayas.

14. Giving two reasons explain why there is more species biodiversity in tropical latitudes than in
temperate ones.

Answer:

1. Stable climate: Tropics have a relatively stable and warm climate conducive to species
survival.

2. High primary productivity: Ample sunlight and rainfall promote high plant growth,
supporting diverse life forms.
15. Alien species are a threat to native species. Justify taking examples of an animal and a plant
alien species.

Answer:

 Animal: Nile perch in Lake Victoria caused the extinction of several native fish species.

 Plant: Parthenium hysterophorus (congress grass) outcompetes native plants and causes
allergies in humans.

16. Justify with the help of an example where a deliberate attempt by humans has led to the
extinction of a particular species.

Answer:

 Example: Introduction of goats to the Galápagos Islands led to habitat destruction,

contributing to the extinction of native species like the giant tortoise in some areas.

17. State the use of biodiversity in modern agriculture.

Answer:
Biodiversity provides genetic resources for crop improvement, pest resistance, and development of
high-yielding and stress-tolerant varieties.

18. Differentiate between in situ and ex situ approaches of conservation of biodiversity.

Answer:

Aspect In Situ Conservation Ex Situ Conservation

Protecting species in their natural Protecting species outside their natural

Definition
habitats. habitats.

Examples National parks, biosphere reserves. Zoos, seed banks, botanical gardens.

19. Explain giving an example how extinction is one of the causes of loss of biodiversity. List three
other causes also.

Answer:

 Extinction: Extinction reduces the variety of species (e.g., dodo became extinct due to
overhunting).

 Other causes: Habitat loss, overexploitation, climate change.

20. Alien species are highly invasive and are a threat to indigenous species. Substantiate this
statement with any three examples.

Answer:

1. Water hyacinth: Clogs water bodies and depletes oxygen.

2. Lantana camara: Outcompetes native plants in forests.

3. Nile perch: Led to the extinction of native fish in Lake Victoria.

21. List the reasons that account for greater biological diversity in tropics.

Answer:

1. Stable climate.

2. High primary productivity.

3. Longer evolutionary time.

22. What are the two types of desirable approaches to conserve biodiversity? Explain with
examples bringing out the difference between the two types.

Answer:

 Approaches:

1. In situ conservation: Protecting species in their natural habitats (e.g., national

parks).

2. Ex situ conservation: Conserving species in artificial settings (e.g., seed banks).

23.

(a) Taking one example each of habitat loss and fragmentation, explain how they are responsible
for biodiversity loss.

 Habitat loss: Deforestation for agriculture reduces forest ecosystems (e.g., Amazon
rainforest).

 Fragmentation: Highways divide forests, isolating species populations.

(b) Explain two different ways of biodiversity conservation.

1. In situ: National parks (e.g., Kaziranga).

2. Ex situ: Seed banks for preserving crop varieties.

24. Identify 'a' and 'b' in the figure given below representing proportionate number of major
vertebrate taxa.

Answer:

 'a': Fishes (largest group).

 'b': Birds (second-largest group).