Important Questions Class 12 Biology Chapter 13

Important Questions Class 12 Biology Chapter 13: Biology is often considered a high-scoring subject, but it requires a strategic approach, especially for ecology-based topics. Chapter 13, Biodiversity and Conservation, is a critical part of the CBSE Class 12 Biology syllabus. that carries significant weightage. 

The chapter Biodiversity and Conservation is concept-based and directly linked to environmental issues, making it a favourite of CBSE examiners. Preparing important questions Class 12  Biology chapter 13 ensures coverage of repeated questions, definitions, short notes, and reasoning-based answers commonly asked in board exams.

Class 12 Biology Chapter 13 Biodiversity and Conservation 

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms on Earth at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. This chapter explains patterns of biodiversity, causes of biodiversity loss such as habitat destruction and overexploitation, and the importance of conservation. 

It also discusses in situ and ex situ conservation methods, biodiversity hotspots, endangered species, and international conservation efforts like the IUCN Red List.

Important Questions Class 12 Biology Chapter 13

To help you prepare, here are key questions that are most likely to appear in your exams. Reviewing these Biodiversity and Conservation  Class 12 Biology question answers will give you a clear idea of the exam pattern. 

.1. What are the species called whose number of individuals is greatly reduced recently and is decreasing continuously?

(1) Endangered

(2) Rare

(3) Vulnerable

(4) Indeterminate

Ans. (3) Vulnerable

2. Which utilitarian states that biodiversity is important for many ecosystem services that nature provides?

(1) Narrowly utilitarian

(2) Broadly utilitarian

(3) Big utilitarian

(4) Small utilitarian

Ans. (2) Broadly utilitarian

3. Which one of the following is an example of conservation?

(1) No use of natural resources

(2) The wise use of natural resources

(3) Excess use of natural resources

(4) Complete use of natural resources

Ans. (2) The wise use of natural resources

4. Expand IUCN.

Ans. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

5. State how the current occurrence of species extinction is different from the earlier mass extinction.

Ans. Species extinction in earlier times occurred due to natural calamities such as volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods etc. while in the present times, the cause of species extinction is human activities.

6. Why is there greater biodiversity in subtropical/tropical regions than in temperate regions?

Ans. It is because these regions are not disturbed due to lesser variations in climatic conditions. This is why species had a long evolutionary time for diversity. The environment in temperate regions is more seasonal and unpredictable, hence lesser species diversity.

7. What are sacred groves? What is their role in conservation?

Ans. Sacred groves are referred to the tracts of forests that are restored in the places of worship. They are found to be in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Meghalaya. These groves help to safeguard threatened, rare and endemic species of animals and plants present in a region. Act of deforestation is sternly banned in tribal regions, and thus, sacred groves are protected in these regions.

8. Name the three important components of biodiversity.

Ans. The variety of living forms found in different ecosystems is referred to as biodiversity, which includes variability in life forms from all possible sources, such as air, water and land.

The three significant components of biodiversity are as follows:

(i) Species diversity

(ii) Genetic diversity

(iii) Ecosystem diversity

9. In comparison to other animal groups, why are amphibians more vulnerable to extinction?

Ans. It is because of the following:

• Habitat fragmentation

• Habitat Destruction or Modification

• Large scale climate change

10. What are the major causes of species losses in a geographical region?

Ans. Biodiversity is referred to the variety of living forms found in different ecosystems, including variability observed in life forms from different sources such as air, water and land. However, biodiversity all around the globe is fast declining. The following are the major causes:

(i) Habitat loss and fragmentation: Uncontrolled and unsustainable human activities such as slash, deforestation, mining, burn agriculture, and urbanisation cause habitats of different entities to be destructed or altered. This leads to the breakup of habitat into smaller pieces affecting the migration of animals and also a decline in the genetic exchange between populations resulting in a decline in the species.

(ii) Co-extinction: One species is connected to the other in its native habitat in an intricate network. Hence, the extinction of one species causes the extinction of the other, wherein they are associated with each other in an obligatory connection. For instance, the extinction of the host would cause the extinction of its parasites.

(iii) Over-exploitation: Humans have caused species to get extinct or endangered due to over-exploitation and over-hunting of different plants and animals. (For example, the extinction of passenger pigeons and tigers)

(iv) Alien species invasions: Intentional introduction of non-native species into a particular habitat causes the extinction of indigenous species. For example, the Nile perch caused the extinction of more than two hundred species of native fish of Lake Victoria in Kenya when they were introduced into the lake.

Exam Preparation Tips for Chapter 13

To score well in Biodiversity and Conservation, focus on using precise keywords, visual aids, and comparison-based answers while revising important concepts.

• Focus on Keywords: When writing answers for Biodiversity and Conservation class 12 question answers, use terms like "Evil Quartet," "In-situ," and "Ex-situ" to impress examiners.

• Flowcharts for Causes: Create a flowchart for the "Major Causes of Biodiversity Loss" to help you recall all four points during the exam.

• Compare and Contrast: Be ready to differentiate between Narrowly Utilitarian and Broadly Utilitarian arguments.

• Map Important Sites: Know the locations of famous sacred groves and biodiversity hotspots in India