FRANK Solutions for Class 9 Biology Chapter 11 - Understanding EcoSystems

Chapter 11 - Understanding EcoSystems Exercise 94

Question 1

What do you understand by the term 'environment'?

Solution 1

Environment is the sum of all external conditions and influences that affect organisms. The environment may be divided into biotic i.e. living and abiotic i.e. non-living components.

Question 2

Each question has four options. Choose the correct answer:

(i) Ecosystem may be defined as
(a) a species along with environment.
(b) plants found in water
(c) plants found on land
(d) all plants and animal species along with environment.
(ii) A pond/ lake is
(a) a biome
(b) a natural ecosystem
(c) an artificial ecosystem
(d) a community of plants and animals only
(iii) Biome is
(a) the fauna of an ocean
(b) the flora of land
(c) communities of organisms interacting with one another
(d) the part of the earth and its atmosphere which is inhabited by living organisms.
(iv) Word ecosystem was coined by
(a) Aristotle
(b) Odum
(c) Tansley
(d) Linnaeus
(v) Annual rainfall in the area of deciduous forest is
(a) over 300 cm
(b) 200-250 cm
(c) 100-150 cm
(d) 50-75 cm
(vi) Which one is not a factor of the abiotic environment?
(a) Sunlight
(b) Decomposers
(c) Water
(d) Temperature

Solution 2

(i) (d) all plants and animal species along with environment.
(ii) (c) an artificial ecosystem
(iii) (c) communities of organisms interacting with one another
(iv) (c) Tansley
(v) (c) 100-150 cm
(vi) (b) Decomposers

Question 3

Define the term 'ecosystem'.

Solution 3

Ecosystems are units consisting of living things and their specific habitats in the biosphere where living things interact with each other and their environment.

Question 4

How is man-made ecosystem formed?

Solution 4

Man made ecosystem is formed by major human modification or alteration in the natural environment. Examples of man-made ecosystems are aquarium, park, grassland, garden etc.

Question 5

Name two major types of ecosystems.

Solution 5

Two major types of ecosystems are natural ecosystem and artificial ecosystem.

Question 6

Give two features of forest ecosystem.

Solution 6

Two features of forests are:
(i) It includes a complex assemblage of different kinds of biotic and abiotic factors.
(ii) The temperature and rainfall conditions of a place determine the nature and characteristics of forests.

Question 7

List the characteristic flora of the coniferous forests?

Solution 7

The trees in coniferous forests are found in single strands with no undergrowth. Plants predominantly found here include firs, pines, spruces and hemlock while the ground is covered with mosses, grasses, sedges and herbs that are adapted to cold.

Question 8

In which parts of the world are tropical rainforests found?

Solution 8

Tropical rainforests are found in regions that experience high temperature, high humidity, heavy and well-distributed rainfall all year round. These regions lack seasonal changes and there is little difference between the length of days and nights.
Tropical rainforests mainly occur inside the World's equatorial regions. They are restricted to the small land area between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer.

Question 9

What is a forest biome? Explain its features.

Solution 9

Forest biome refers to the naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying the forest.
Features of forest biomes are:
(i) In tropical rainforest biomes, there is an amazing biodiversity of plants and animals. Trees are tall, with buttressed trunks and shallow roots, mostly evergreen, with large dark green leaves. Plants such as orchids, bromeliads, vines, lianas, ferns, mosses, and palms are present in tropical forests. Fauna include numerous birds, bats, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and a huge diversity of insects.
(ii) In deciduous rainforest biomes, many types of tall and short trees, shrubs, herbs, mosses and lichens are found occupying five different layers. Also a huge variety of fauna like panda, brown bear, hedgehog etc are found.
(iii) Not much biodiversity occurs in coniferous forest biomes. The trees here are found in single strands with no undergrowth. Plants predominantly found here include firs, pines, spruces and hemlock while the ground is covered with mosses, grasses, sedges and herbs that are adapted to cold. Fur bearing animals are found abundantly like brown bear, fox, mink, beavers, deer and large birds of prey like red tailed hawks. Many animals migrate or hibernate during the extremely cold winters.

Question 10

Differentiate between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem.

Solution 10