Forests are “biodiversity hot spots”. Justify this statement.
Forests are “biodiversity hot spots”. Justify this statement.
Forests are called 'biodiversity hot spots' because they harbor an immense variety of life forms (species richness). This includes diverse organisms such as bacteria, fungi, ferns, flowering plants, nematodes, insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Preserving this rich variety of species is essential to maintain the ecological stability and balance of the ecosystem.
Marking Scheme
- 11 Mark: Stating that forests contain a huge variety/range of different life forms (species richness) like plants, animals, and microorganisms.
- 21 Mark: Explaining that preserving this biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecological stability and balance.
Hint
Focus on the variety of species (plants, animals, microbes) found in a forest and why maintaining this variety is important.
Quick Oral Answer
Forests are biodiversity hot spots because they contain a very high concentration of diverse species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, which are crucial for ecological balance.
Analysis & Explanation
A biodiversity hot spot is an area rich in species diversity. Forests contain a vast range of different taxonomic groups of organisms. The measure of biodiversity of an area is the number of species found there. If this biodiversity is lost, the ecological balance is disrupted because organisms in food webs are highly interdependent.
Common Mistakes
- 1Students often define biodiversity but forget to justify why forests specifically are called 'hot spots' (i.e., harboring a vast range of different species from microbes to large mammals).
Interesting Facts
Forests cover about 31% of the global land area but are home to over 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity, including many species that are yet to be discovered!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2016?
This question carries 2 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2016 examination.
Which chapter does this question come from in Science?
This question is from the chapter "Our Environment" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.
What topic does this question cover in Science?
This question covers the topic "Ecosystem and Biodiversity" from CBSE Class 10 Science.
What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2016 paper?
This is a Short Answer question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2016 paper.