Biodiversity and Conservation Questions and Answers - Free PDF Download
In Ncert Solutions Class 12 Biology Chapter 13 Biodiversity And Conservation, you’ll explore why the variety of life on Earth is so important, how it is threatened, and what we can do to protect it. This chapter explains tough concepts like "biodiversity," the causes of species loss, and different ways we can conserve nature, all in simple language.
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If you ever feel confused about ecosystem diversity, in-situ vs ex-situ conservation, or the significance of biodiversity for our planet, these NCERT Solutions are here to help. At Vedantu, expert teachers have explained each topic step by step, so your exam prep is easy and you can score better. You can also check the full syllabus for your class at Class 12 Biology Syllabus.
Download the free NCERT Solutions PDF for Class 12 Biology to get answers for every exercise and extra questions for practice. These will not only clear your basic doubts but also help you write neat, to-the-point answers as expected in your CBSE board exams.
FAQs on NCERT Solutions For Class 12 Biology Chapter 13 Biodiversity and Conservation - 2025-26
1. What key topics are covered in the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology, Chapter 13 (Biodiversity and Conservation) for the 2025-26 session?
The NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology Chapter 13 comprehensively cover all topics as per the latest CBSE 2025-26 syllabus. This includes:
- Concepts and patterns of biodiversity.
- The importance of species, genetic, and ecosystem diversity.
- Causes and threats leading to biodiversity loss, known as 'The Evil Quartet'.
- Detailed explanations of conservation strategies, including in-situ (like National Parks, Sanctuaries, Sacred Groves) and ex-situ conservation (like Zoological Parks, Botanical Gardens).
2. How do these NCERT Solutions provide a step-by-step answer for questions like naming the three components of biodiversity?
For a direct question like this, the NCERT Solutions first state the answer clearly and then elaborate on each point for full marks. The solution would first list the three components: 1. Genetic diversity, 2. Species diversity, and 3. Ecosystem diversity. It would then provide a concise, one-line explanation for each component, ensuring the answer is complete and easy to understand as per the CBSE evaluation pattern.
3. Why is a stepwise approach, as shown in the NCERT solutions, important for solving questions on biodiversity conservation?
A stepwise approach is crucial because questions on biodiversity conservation often require a structured argument. The NCERT solutions model this by breaking down complex topics. For example, when explaining conservation strategies, the solutions first differentiate between in-situ and ex-situ methods, then list examples under each, and finally explain the significance. This methodical presentation ensures all parts of the question are answered logically, which helps in securing maximum marks in board exams.
4. How do the NCERT Solutions for Chapter 13 explain the significance of the slope of regression in a species-area relationship?
The NCERT Solutions explain this concept by first stating the formula (S = CA^Z) and defining each term. They clarify that the slope of the line, 'Z' (the regression coefficient), indicates the rate at which species richness increases with an increase in area. The solutions highlight that the value of Z is typically similar for small areas but becomes steeper for larger areas like entire continents, demonstrating a more significant relationship between area and species diversity on a larger scale. This structured explanation helps students answer accurately.
5. How do the solutions help in structuring an answer for a higher-order thinking (HOTS) question, such as explaining the greater diversification of animals over plants?
For HOTS questions, the NCERT Solutions guide students to synthesise information rather than just recall facts. To explain animal diversification, the solutions structure the answer by presenting multiple scientific reasons. These include:
- Animals' greater motility, allowing them to escape adverse conditions and colonise new habitats.
- The development of complex and sensitive nervous systems to perceive and respond to environmental stimuli.
- The presence of a rigid exoskeleton in arthropods, which provided protection and support, enabling their vast diversification.
This approach teaches students how to build a multi-faceted, logical argument.
6. What common mistakes in explaining the causes of biodiversity loss can be avoided by following the NCERT Solutions?
Students often list the causes without proper explanation. The NCERT Solutions help avoid this by detailing 'The Evil Quartet' systematically. By following the solutions, students learn to:
- Clearly define each cause: Habitat loss and fragmentation, Over-exploitation, Alien species invasions, and Co-extinctions.
- Provide a specific example for each cause, as required by the CBSE marking scheme.
- Avoid mixing up the concepts, for instance, by clearly differentiating between habitat loss and fragmentation.
7. How do the NCERT Solutions clarify the subtle difference between in-situ and ex-situ conservation with correct examples for the board exam?
The solutions clarify this core concept by defining each term precisely. In-situ conservation is explained as protecting species within their natural habitat (e.g., National Parks, Biosphere Reserves). In contrast, ex-situ conservation is defined as protecting species outside their natural habitat in special settings (e.g., Zoological Parks, Botanical Gardens, seed banks). By providing distinct definitions and correct, syllabus-aligned examples for each, the solutions prevent the common confusion between these two critical strategies.
8. How can students use these NCERT Solutions to effectively answer long-answer questions about the importance of biodiversity for ecosystem functioning?
The NCERT Solutions structure the answer for long-answer questions by breaking it down into key arguments based on David Tilman's experiments. The solutions guide students to explain that greater biodiversity contributes to:
- Increased productivity: More species can lead to higher biomass production.
- Greater stability: A diverse ecosystem shows less year-to-year variation in total biomass.
- Resilience: It is more resistant to disturbances like invasions by alien species.
This point-wise structure helps students write comprehensive and high-scoring answers.
9. For a complex question like justifying the deliberate extinction of a species (e.g., a pathogen), how do the NCERT Solutions guide students to frame a balanced and scientific argument?
This is an ethical and application-based question. The NCERT Solutions guide a nuanced answer by focusing on the context of human welfare. The model answer would state that while biodiversity conservation is paramount, an exception can be made for harmful, disease-causing microorganisms. It would then provide the specific example of the smallpox virus, which was deliberately eradicated globally through vaccination programs to save human lives. This teaches students to justify their stance with scientific reasoning and globally accepted examples.
10. Beyond just providing answers, how do these solutions help connect the concept of 'sacred groves' to the broader strategy of in-situ conservation as per the CBSE syllabus?
The NCERT Solutions do more than define 'sacred groves'. They position it as a prime example of community-led, in-situ conservation. The solutions explain that these are tracts of forest protected by local communities due to religious beliefs. By doing so, they not only conserve the biodiversity of the area but also represent a unique and traditional method of conservation, thus linking a specific term to the larger strategic framework of protecting biodiversity within its natural environment.
