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Practice each question, then open the answer or worked solution.
What characteristics make a community stable?
Ans: A stable society is one that flourishes and becomes self-sustaining on its own. It does not show any more oscillations caused by man-made or natural factors. The following are some features of a stable community.
What could have triggered mass extinctions of species in the past?
Ans: There is a large number of species mass extinction during the whole evolution process, the process moved foreward with some surviving species. Several theories have been proposed by ecologists as to why this great extinction occurred. The following are some of them: -
1. Many terrestrial animals were extinct when the sea level rose.
2. Changes in temperature caused the world to become colder or hotter at different times, resulting in catastrophic extinctions.
3. The earth's atmosphere protects it from many asteroids, but when a large meteorite strikes, the atmosphere fails to protect, resulting in mass extinction.
4. The sea contains a variety of gases. There are also certain hazardous gases that are discharged into the atmosphere under various circumstances. The discharge of hydrogen sulphide from the sea may have caused catastrophic extinction.
What accounts for the greater ecological diversity of India?
Ans: Many factors influence the survival of any species in a given location. Two major variables in this are geographical distribution and temperature balance. There is a significant variation of topography in India, such as eastern and western plain land, Northern Himalayas, and so on, which results in temperature differences.
We already know that alien species invasion is a major influence in population instability. As a result, there is virtually little likelihood of demographic instability. They can freely reproduce and live in peace in one location with favourable climate conditions. As a result, we may see a diverse range of animals in India.
According to David Tilman, the greater the diversity, the greater is the primary
productivity. Can you think of a very low diversity man-made ecosystem
that has high productivity?
Ans: The amount of biomass produced per unit time is referred to as productivity. The mass per volume per unit time is the unit of measurement. According to David Tilman, a population's production is directly proportional to the area's diversity.
The living species is always fighting for survival. Predation, competition, and other ecological animal interactions have an impact on them. In a man-built ecosystem, however, the desirable species are separated from all biological animal interactions, and a persistent effort is made to ensure that the species survives to its full potential. Farmland that is productive to its maximum potential is an example of a man-made ecosystem.
What does 'Red' indicate in the IUCN Red List (2004)?
Ans: The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to maintaining ecological balance and species survival.
In the book red data book, it publishes a list called red list (used for maintaining the data of extinct, vulnerable animals). This red list is a crucial measure of the world's biodiversity's health. The major purpose of this list is to preserve the data of fragile populations in order to aid their survival, as well as to educate the human community about extinct creatures in order to avoid repeating the same error.
Explain how protection of biodiversity hotspots alone can reduce up to 30% the current rate of species extinction.
Ans: The biological hotspots are certain globally defined places in which a large number of species richness is present and these areas are protected by humans. These hot-spots cover nearly two per cent of the total area of earth but due to extreme care, it is able TO save more than 30% ongoing extinction.
What is the difference between endemic and exotic species?
Ans: Endemism refers to species that are local to a specific place, whereas exotic refers to species that are not native to that area. Invasive species occur when exotic species become a threat to local species, and they are the most powerful cause in local biodiversity loss.
How does species diversity differ from ecological diversity?
Ans: Species diversity refers to the quantity and distribution of species in a given area. It is divided into two units: the number of species per unit area and the number of individuals of various species per unit area.
Ecological diversity refers to diversity at the ecosystem level. It is reliant on several sorts of ecosystems. There are two types of ecosystems: terrestrial and aquatic (freshwater and marine).
Ecological diversity is more essential than species variety. Ecologists believe that the more diverse an ecosystem is, the more stable and long-term it will be.
If a particular food becomes extinct in a high-diversification ecosystem, the predator of that population can quickly switch to another food and avoid forcing it to become extinct.
Why is genetic variation important in the plant Rauwolfia vomitoria?
Ans: The plant Rauwolfia Vomitoria provides the chemical Reserpine, which serves as a tranquiliser.
This exemplifies a particular sort of genetic variation. It's possible that this is due to the potency and concentration of the active chemical Reserpine produced by plants. This plant is commonly found in Himalayan regions.
India boasts more than 50,000 genetically distinct rice strains and 1000 mango kinds.
What is a Red Data Book?
Ans: The Red Data Book is a public database that records endangered and rare plant, animal, and fungus species, as well as some local subspecies, in a given area. This book is intended to help people recognize and save species that are on the verge of extinction.