Questions on Biodiversity in India

1. "Bio-diversity is fundamental to the existence of life on the earth" Justify the statement.

Biodiversity is fundamental to the existence of life on the earth because this is extremely valuable in different facets of life which includes providing of food, water, fiber, fuel etc. and regulating of climate and diseases.

2. Explain hotspots?

A biodiversity hotspot is a region with a high level of endemic species. Endemic species are those species that are found in a limited area.

3. Why are the tropical rain forests called evergreen forests?

Trees in these forests remain green all the year round as the climate of the region is warm and wet throughout the year. The leaves of the trees do not fall in any particular season. Hence they are evergreen.

4. Give reasons: Tidal Forest areas along the eastern coast experienced severe destruction during cyclones in recent years.

Tidal forests along the eastern coast provide protection against cyclones. But in recent years due to massive deforestation, these areas have been experiencing severe destruction during cyclones in recent years.

5. Give reasons: Himalayan Forests have been economically more exploited in comparison to Tropical Evergreen Forests.

Tropical evergreen forest has a dense and mixed vegetation of all kinds and hence, their economic exploitation is not viable whereas species in Himalayan vegetation are less dense and found in pure stand.

6. Define Wetlands

A wetland is an area of land where soil is saturated with moisture either permanently or seasonally. Such areas may also be covered partially or completely by shallow pools of water.

7. Fill in the blanks correctly from the alternatives provided in the bracket:

(a) ...... in Assam is known for the Indian Rhinoceroses. (Manas / Kaziranga)

(b) Harike Wetlands is located in ...... (Punjab / Himachal Pradesh)

Kaziranga
Punjab
Gulf of Mannar