Question

Why are forests considered "biodiversity hot spots"? List two ways in which an individual can contribute effectively to the management of forests and wildlife?

Answer 1

Forests are considered ‘biodiversity hot spots’ because large number of life forms such as bacteria, fungi, nematodes, insects, birds, reptiles, mammals, gymnosperms and angiosperms are found there. These are the regions with large biodiversity of endangered species, many of them being highly endemic. Such regions are being subjected to large scale destruction and hence are called ‘hot spots’ by ecologists.

Ways in which an individual can contribute:

(i) Not allowing cutting of trees.

(ii) Promoting or making people aware about the importance of forests and wildlife.

(iii) Not using wildlife products like fur coat or any other named product.