Conservation of Plants and Animals – MCQs with Answers and Explanations

CBSE Class 8 Science | Chapter 7: Conservation of Plants and Animals — 50 MCQs (Topic-wise)

CBSE Class 8 Science — Chapter 7: Conservation of Plants and Animals

50 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) — Topic-wise • NCERT-aligned • Board-exam standard

Class: 8

Subject: Science

Chapter: Conservation of Plants & Animals

CBSE Board Examinations (Study order):

Study NCERT theory and memorise definitions, examples and protected areas.
Understand in-situ vs ex-situ conservation, laws and community roles.
Practice diagrams, short answers and MCQs topic-wise for quick revision.

Topic 1 — Basics & Key Terms (Q1–Q10)

Q1. Biodiversity refers to:
A. Only the number of species in an area B. Variety of life at genetic, species and ecosystem levels C. The number of trees in a forest D. Only marine life variety

Answer: B

Explanation: Biodiversity includes genes, species and ecosystems and their interactions.
Q2. An endemic species is one that:
A. Is found worldwide B. Is native and restricted to a particular region C. Is introduced from another country D. Is only found in zoos

Answer: B

Explanation: Endemics have limited geographic ranges, making them vulnerable to habitat changes.
Q3. Which term describes the disappearance of all individuals of a species?
A. Endangered B. Vulnerable C. Extinct D. Rare

Answer: C

Explanation: Extinct means no living individuals exist anywhere on Earth.
Q4. Ecosystem services are:
A. Human-made services in parks B. Benefits humans get from ecosystems C. Only timber and fuelwood D. Only recreational services

Answer: B

Explanation: Services include pollination, water purification, soil formation and climate regulation.
Q5. Genetic diversity refers to:
A. Variety of species in a region B. Variation within a species C. Number of ecosystems only D. Diversity among forests only

Answer: B

Explanation: Genetic diversity allows species to adapt to changes and is important for breeding programs.
Q6. An invasive species is one that:
A. Is native and harmless B. Is non-native and causes harm to ecosystems C. Is always beneficial D. Only grows in gardens

Answer: B

Explanation: Invasives outcompete natives, alter habitats and can reduce biodiversity.
Q7. Which of the following is an example of ecosystem diversity?
A. Variety of genes in wheat B. Presence of forests, wetlands and grasslands in a region C. Number of tigers in a park D. Population of a single species

Answer: B

Explanation: Ecosystem diversity refers to different habitat types providing varied services.
Q8. Which of these is a direct use of biodiversity?
A. Pollination for crops B. Cultural values only C. Climate regulation only D. None of the above

Answer: A

Explanation: Pollination directly supports food production and is a direct ecosystem service.
Q9. Which one property makes endemic species particularly vulnerable?
A. Wide distribution B. Restricted geographic range C. High genetic diversity D. Being domesticated

Answer: B

Explanation: Restricted range means local threats can wipe out entire species.
Q10. Which one is NOT an ecosystem service?
A. Water purification B. Disease regulation C. Music concerts D. Soil formation

Answer: C

Explanation: Music concerts are human cultural activities, not natural ecosystem services.

Topic 2 — Threats to Biodiversity (Q11–Q20)

Q11. Habitat fragmentation leads to:
A. Increased continuous habitat B. Smaller isolated populations C. Improved migration routes D. More genetic exchange

Answer: B

Explanation: Fragmentation isolates populations, reducing gene flow and increasing extinction risk.
Q12. Over-exploitation means:
A. Sustainable harvesting B. Harvesting at levels that exceed population recovery C. No harvesting D. Planting trees only

Answer: B

Explanation: Over-exploitation removes individuals faster than they can reproduce.
Q13. Which practice increases soil and water pollution affecting biodiversity?
A. Integrated pest management B. Excessive use of chemical pesticides C. Organic farming D. Composting

Answer: B

Explanation: Chemical runoff contaminates water bodies and harms aquatic life.
Q14. Poaching primarily affects biodiversity by:
A. Increasing population sizes B. Illegally removing individuals, reducing populations C. Improving genetic diversity D. Creating new habitats

Answer: B

Explanation: Poaching targets species for trade, often causing precipitous declines.
Q15. Climate change affects biodiversity by:
A. Stabilising habitats B. Changing temperature and rainfall patterns, shifting species ranges C. Removing invasive species only D. Always increasing species numbers

Answer: B

Explanation: Altered climates force species to migrate or face mismatches in life cycles.
Q16. Invasive plant species often reduce native biodiversity because they:
A. Provide more food for natives B. Outcompete natives for resources C. Always hybridise with natives D. Increase habitat complexity only

Answer: B

Explanation: Invasives monopolise light, water and nutrients, displacing native species.
Q17. Which human activity directly causes deforestation?
A. Sustainable forestry B. Clearing forests for agriculture and settlements C. Planting native trees D. Wildlife conservation

Answer: B

Explanation: Conversion of forest land to other uses reduces tree cover and habitat.
Q18. Overfishing impacts marine biodiversity by:
A. Increasing fish stocks B. Reducing breeding populations and collapsing fisheries C. Only removing unwanted species D. Improving ecosystem resilience

Answer: B

Explanation: Taking too many fish reduces reproductive capacity and can change food webs.
Q19. Which of these reduces chance of extinction?
A. Habitat loss B. Poaching C. Establishing protected areas D. Pollution

Answer: C

Explanation: Protected areas safeguard habitats and populations, lowering extinction risk.
Q20. Which is a direct consequence of habitat fragmentation?
A. Increased gene flow B. Reduced species interactions and isolated populations C. More continuous habitats D. Increased habitat area

Answer: B

Explanation: Fragmentation isolates populations, disrupting interactions and breeding.

Topic 3 — In-situ Conservation (Q21–Q30)

Q21. In-situ conservation means:
A. Conserving species outside their natural habitats B. Conserving species in their natural habitats C. Storing seeds in banks D. Keeping animals in zoos only

Answer: B

Explanation: In-situ methods protect species where they naturally occur (parks, sanctuaries).
Q22. Which area allows limited human activity but protects wildlife?
A. National park B. Wildlife sanctuary C. Seed bank D. Zoo

Answer: B

Explanation: Sanctuaries may allow regulated human use unlike stricter national parks.
Q23. Which is a core zone in a biosphere reserve?
A. Area for human settlements B. Strictly protected area for conservation C. Commercial zone D. Industrial site

Answer: B

Explanation: Core zones have minimal human disturbance to conserve biodiversity.
Q24. Wildlife corridors are used to:
A. Isolate populations B. Connect fragmented habitats for animal movement C. Increase urban development D. Replace protected areas

Answer: B

Explanation: Corridors maintain gene flow and seasonal migrations between habitat patches.
Q25. Which program focuses on tiger conservation in India?
A. Project Elephant B. Project Tiger C. Green Revolution D. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

Answer: B

Explanation: Project Tiger aims to protect tigers through reserves, anti-poaching and habitat management.
Q26. The main aim of creating protected areas is to:
A. Encourage industrial growth B. Safeguard habitats and species C. Increase hunting grounds D. Promote urbanisation

Answer: B

Explanation: Protected areas maintain ecosystems, prevent habitat loss and support species survival.
Q27. Which activity is commonly allowed in buffer zones of reserves?
A. Strictly no human activity B. Limited research and sustainable use C. Industrial mining D. Building permanent settlements

Answer: B

Explanation: Buffer zones balance protection with controlled scientific/stewardship activities.
Q28. Which is NOT an in-situ conservation method?
A. National parks B. Wildlife sanctuaries C. Zoos D. Biosphere reserves

Answer: C

Explanation: Zoos are ex-situ since species are conserved outside their natural habitat.
Q29. Which statement about national parks is true?
A. They permit unrestricted human activities B. They focus on strict protection of ecosystems C. They are the same as zoos D. They always allow hunting

Answer: B

Explanation: National parks prioritise ecosystem protection with limited human interference.
Q30. Corridors help reduce which of the following?
A. Genetic diversity B. Human-animal contact C. Inbreeding by connecting populations D. All of the above

Answer: C

Explanation: Connecting habitats increases gene flow, reducing inbreeding risks in isolated populations.

Topic 4 — Ex-situ Conservation & Techniques (Q31–Q40)

Q31. Ex-situ conservation includes:
A. National parks B. Zoos, botanical gardens and seed banks C. Wildlife corridors D. Reforestation only

Answer: B

Explanation: Ex-situ protects species outside natural habitats for breeding, research and education.
Q32. A seed bank helps by:
A. Storing live animals B. Storing seeds for long-term preservation of plant diversity C. Releasing pollutants D. Increasing invasive species

Answer: B

Explanation: Seed banks store seed samples under controlled conditions to preserve genetic material.
Q33. Captive breeding aims to:
A. Increase wild hunting B. Increase population numbers under human care for possible reintroduction C. Promote deforestation D. Reduce genetic diversity

Answer: B

Explanation: Captive breeding boosts numbers and can supply individuals for reintroduction programs.
Q34. Which is a limitation of ex-situ conservation?
A. Maintains natural behaviours perfectly B. May not preserve ecosystem interactions and behaviours C. Always cheaper than in-situ D. Eliminates the need for habitat protection

Answer: B

Explanation: Ex-situ conditions cannot fully replicate wild environments, affecting behaviour and adaptation.
Q35. Botanical gardens primarily help by:
A. Preserving plant species, research and public education B. Releasing animals into the wild C. Mining forests D. Encouraging poaching

Answer: A

Explanation: Botanical gardens maintain living collections, support research and conservation education.
Q36. Reintroduction of captive-bred animals should follow:
A. Immediate release without checks B. Careful health screening, habitat assessment and monitoring C. Release into urban areas D. Release during severe weather

Answer: B

Explanation: Proper protocols reduce disease risk and improve survival chances of released animals.
Q37. Which organisation is useful for storing plant genetic material?
A. Seed banks B. Fish farms C. Coal mines D. Tourism boards

Answer: A

Explanation: Seed banks store seeds and propagate plant diversity for restoration and breeding.
Q38. Which is a benefit of ex-situ conservation?
A. Guarantees long-term survival without habitat protection B. Provides controlled breeding and research opportunities C. Always cheaper than other methods D. Immediately restores ecosystems

Answer: B

Explanation: Ex-situ methods offer controlled conditions for breeding, research and public education.
Q39. A major challenge in reintroduction programs is:
A. Ensuring adequate wild habitat and reducing threats B. Having too many predators C. Lack of captive animals D. Too much funding

Answer: A

Explanation: Without suitable habitat and threat mitigation, reintroduced animals cannot survive long-term.
Q40. Which activity is typical of botanical gardens?
A. Captive breeding of tigers B. Cultivating, researching and conserving plant species C. Mining D. Logging

Answer: B
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Explanation: Botanical gardens grow diverse plant collections for conservation, research and education.

Topic 5 — Laws, Policies, Community & Practical Steps (Q41–Q50)

Q41. The Wildlife Protection Act helps by:
A. Allowing unrestricted hunting B. Providing legal protection to species and habitats C. Promoting illegal trade D. Removing protected areas

Answer: B

Explanation: The Act lists protected species, establishes reserves and prescribes penalties for offences.
Q42. CITES aims to:
A. Regulate international trade in endangered species B. Promote wildlife trade without controls C. Protect only plants D. Only focus on domestic policies

Answer: A

Explanation: CITES ensures international trade does not threaten species survival by regulating exports and imports.
Q43. Community-based conservation works because:
A. Locals are excluded B. Local people share responsibility and benefits, increasing stewardship C. It always bans local use D. It ignores livelihoods

Answer: B

Explanation: Engaging communities aligns conservation with local interests and sustains protection efforts.
Q44. Afforestation means:
A. Planting trees on land not recently forested B. Clearing forests C. Planting only exotic species D. Removing seedlings

Answer: A

Explanation: Afforestation increases tree cover and restores ecological functions on non-forested land.
Q45. Education in conservation primarily:
A. Reduces awareness B. Raises awareness and promotes stewardship C. Encourages poaching D. Only targets policymakers

Answer: B

Explanation: Education fosters informed citizens who can support and participate in conservation actions.
Q46. Which practice helps reduce pressure on wild species?
A. Sustainable harvesting and alternative livelihoods B. Increasing illegal trade C. Removing laws D. Expanding poaching

Answer: A

Explanation: Sustainable use and livelihood options reduce dependency on wild populations and incentivise protection.
Q47. Protected wetlands are important because they:
A. Provide no ecological benefit B. Support biodiversity, water storage and filtration C. Always cause floods D. Only support agriculture

Answer: B

Explanation: Wetlands offer habitat, flood control and water purification services essential for ecosystems and people.
Q48. Reducing, reusing and recycling helps biodiversity by:
A. Increasing resource extraction B. Lowering demand for raw materials and reducing habitat destruction C. Encouraging deforestation D. Increasing pollution

Answer: B

Explanation: Waste reduction decreases pressure on ecosystems and conserves resources for nature.
Q49. Which is an example of community incentive for conservation?
A. Banning all visitors B. Sharing eco-tourism revenue with local people C. Ignoring local rights D. Removing livelihoods

Answer: B

Explanation: Revenue-sharing provides tangible benefits that encourage local engagement in conservation.
Q50. Which action best supports pollinators on farms?
A. Using broad-spectrum pesticides frequently B. Planting flowering strips and reducing pesticide use C. Removing hedges D. Burning field margins

Answer: B

Explanation: Habitat for pollinators and careful pesticide use support pollination services and crop yields.

These MCQs and explanations are strictly aligned with NCERT content for CBSE Class 8 Chapter 7 and are crafted to aid conceptual clarity and exam preparation.

Conservation of Plants and Animals – MCQs with Answers and Explanations

CBSE Class 8 Science — Chapter 7: Conservation of Plants and Animals

Topic 1 — Basics & Key Terms (Q1–Q10)

Topic 2 — Threats to Biodiversity (Q11–Q20)

Topic 3 — In-situ Conservation (Q21–Q30)

Topic 4 — Ex-situ Conservation & Techniques (Q31–Q40)

Topic 5 — Laws, Policies, Community & Practical Steps (Q41–Q50)

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