Short Questions and Answers
Q1. What is a biome?
Answer:
A biome is a large natural region where certain types of plants and animals live under similar climatic conditions.
Q2. What is the difference between a biome and an ecosystem?
Answer:
A biome is a broad environmental region, while an ecosystem is a smaller area within it where plants, animals, and non-living things interact closely.
Q3. What are the main types of terrestrial biomes?
Answer:
The main types of terrestrial biomes are forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra. They are classified according to their climate.
Q4. Why are tropical rainforests rich in biodiversity?
Answer:
Tropical rainforests remain hot and wet throughout the year. These conditions support dense forests and a wide variety of plant and animal life.
Q5. What are the main characteristics of grasslands?
Answer:
Grasslands are large open areas covered mainly with grass and very few trees. They receive moderate rainfall and support grazing animals, agriculture, and livestock rearing.
Q6. What is permafrost?
Answer:
Permafrost is soil that remains frozen almost throughout the year. It is found in tundra regions and makes it difficult for trees to grow.
Q7. What is biodiversity?
Answer:
Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and the ecosystems they inhabit.
Q8. What is ecotourism?
Answer:
Ecotourism means responsible travel to natural areas while protecting the environment. It also supports local communities and helps promote conservation.
Q9. What is a Geographical Indication (GI) tag?
Answer:
A GI tag identifies a product as originating from a specific place. It protects products whose quality, reputation, or characteristics are linked to their geographical origin.
Q10. What are ecological commons?
Answer:
Ecological commons are natural resources such as forests, rivers, lakes, grazing lands, air, and biodiversity that are shared and used collectively by a community.
Long Questions and Answers
Q1. How do climate and geography influence the distribution of biomes?
Answer:
Climate and geography determine the types of plants and animals that can survive in a region. Temperature, rainfall, landforms, and water availability influence the characteristics of biomes. Different climatic conditions support forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra.
Q2. Explain the main characteristics of tropical rainforests.
Answer:
Tropical rainforests are mainly found near the Equator and remain hot and wet throughout the year. They support dense forests and a wide variety of plants and animals. They are rich in biodiversity and genetic resources, so they are also known as gene banks.
Q3. Describe the different types of terrestrial biomes.
Answer:
Terrestrial biomes are land-based regions classified into forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra. Forests support dense vegetation, while grasslands are mainly covered with grasses. Deserts receive very little rainfall, whereas tundra regions experience extremely cold conditions and have limited vegetation.
Q4. What are aquatic biomes? Explain their types and importance.
Answer:
Aquatic biomes cover about three-fourths of the Earth’s surface and are divided into freshwater and marine biomes. Freshwater biomes include rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, which provide drinking water and support agriculture. Marine biomes include oceans, seas, and coral reefs, which support biodiversity, influence the Earth’s climate, and provide food and livelihoods.
Q5. Explain how a biome pyramid represents the relationship between organisms.
Answer:
A biome pyramid represents the relationship between organisms in terms of energy, number, or biomass. Producers such as plants and algae form the base, followed by herbivores, carnivores, and top predators. As we move upwards, the available energy, biomass, and number of organisms generally decrease because energy is lost as heat.
Q6. How are biomes and living beings interconnected?
Answer:
Biomes provide natural environments in which plants, animals, and humans survive and interact. Animals help in pollination and seed dispersal, while microorganisms recycle nutrients. Humans modify landscapes for farming and cities, so all these interactions influence ecological balance and biodiversity.
Q7. What is biodiversity, and why is its conservation important?
Answer:
Biodiversity refers to the variety of plants, animals, microorganisms, genes, and ecosystems on Earth. It is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting human survival. Its conservation protects unique species, preserves habitats, and helps maintain ecological balance.
Q8. Explain the geographical aspects of biodiversity conservation.
Answer:
Biodiversity conservation considers the influence of location, climate, landforms, and ecosystems on living organisms. Biodiversity hotspots such as the Himalaya, Western Ghats, North-East India, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands require protection. National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, and wildlife corridors help preserve habitats and protect species.
Q9. What is forest ecotourism? How does it support conservation and local communities?
Answer:
Forest ecotourism involves responsible travel to forested areas while protecting nature and respecting local communities. Visitors can explore national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and rainforests while learning about ecosystems. It supports conservation programmes, generates income for local people, and promotes sustainable development.
Q10. Explain the importance of forests for the livelihoods of rural and tribal communities.
Answer:
Forests provide food, fuel, fodder, medicine, shelter, timber, bamboo, and firewood to rural and tribal communities. Products such as honey, fruits, nuts, resins, and medicinal plants help families earn income. Forests also support livestock grazing, small industries, ecotourism, cultural traditions, and employment.
Q11. Describe the major roles of forest dwellers in forest conservation.
Answer:
Forest dwellers possess traditional knowledge about herbs, plants, medicines, and forest resources. They contribute to forest protection, community forest management, and biodiversity conservation. Women play an important role in collecting resources and preserving traditional practices, while movements such as the Bishnoi and Chipko movements have helped prevent deforestation.
Q12. What is a Geographical Indication (GI) tag? Explain its importance with examples.
Answer:
A GI tag identifies a product whose quality, reputation, or characteristics are linked to a particular geographical region. It protects region-specific products, preserves cultural heritage, and provides economic benefits to local communities. Examples of GI-tagged products mentioned in the chapter include Ramban Sulai Honey, Kandhamal Haldi, Nilgiri Tea, and Tripura Queen Pineapple.
Q13. What are the major challenges faced by people living in forests?
Answer:
Forest dwellers often face difficulties accessing healthcare, education, and clean water. Deforestation, restrictions on forest use, and commercial exploitation can limit their access to resources and threaten their livelihoods. They also face natural disasters, forest fires, crop damage caused by wild animals, discrimination, and economic insecurity.
Q14. Explain the government efforts to support forest dwellers.
Answer:
The Forest Rights Act, 2006, recognises the rights of eligible forest-dwelling communities over forest land and resources they have traditionally depended upon. The government also provides education scholarships, healthcare programmes, and skill development initiatives. Joint Forest Management encourages community participation in forest protection, while PESA, DAJGUA, and PM JANMAN aim to promote community welfare.
Q15. Explain the Mendha Lekha model of community forest management.
Answer:
Mendha Lekha is a tribal village in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, known for community-based forest management and self-governance. The villagers collectively make decisions through the Gram Sabha and follow the principle of Mawa Nate Mawa Raj (our village, our rule). They protect forests, regulate tree cutting, prevent forest fires, and harvest bamboo sustainably, using the revenue for community welfare, education, and infrastructure.
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