Activity 12.2 Let Us Read A Case Study. The Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh is a forest. Class 9
Activity 12.2 Let Us Read A Case Study. The Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh is a forest. Class 9
Activity 12.2 Let Us Read A Case Study
The Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh is a forest where scientists have recorded nearly 300 bird species, which is striking given that India as a whole has about 1,300 bird species. Pakke is also known for supporting four species of hornbills - the Rufous-necked Hornbill, the Oriental Pied Hornbill, the Great Hornbill, and the Wreathed Hornbill. These large birds nest only in large, old trees with suitable cavities and feed on specific fruits. As a result, different hornbill species are found in different parts of the forest depending on tree size and fruit availability. Studying such patterns allows scientists to ask precise questions about biodiversity, such as
Think and discuss the case based on the following questions -
Question 1.
(i) How are species distributed within a forest? Which plants and animals are closely linked? Class 9
Answer:
Forest species are distributed unevenly based on micro-habitats and vertical canopy structure, with interdependent relationships existing between specific, large cavity-nesting birds like hornbills and old-growth trees.
(ii) How does classifying the four hornbill species help us understand biodiversity? Class 9
Answer:
Classifying the four hornbill species aids biodiversity understanding by revealing niche separation, mapping seed dispersal roles, and enabling targeted conservation efforts for specialized, threatened ecosystems.
Question 2.
(i) How can scientists keep track of so many species? Class 9
Answer:
Scientists keep track of species by using biological classification - grouping organisms based on shared characteristics. Each species is given a unique scientific name. Detailed field surveys, photographs, audio recordings of calls, GPS tagging, and databases help scientists record and organise information about hundreds of species systematically.
(ii) The four hornbills look similar in some ways. What features can help scientists distinguish them from one another? Class 9
Answer:
Scientists can distinguish the four hornbill species by comparing features such as body size, colour and pattern of feathers, the shape and size of the casque (the structure on top of the beak), the colour of the beak, and the call or vocalisation of each species. The nesting and feeding preferences also differ among them.
(iii) What would happen if the large, old trees disappeared from the forest? Class 9
Answer:
Hornbills nest only in large, old trees with suitable cavities. If these trees disappeared, hornbills would lose their nesting sites and would be unable to reproduce successfully. This would lead to a sharp decline in hornbill populations. Since hornbills also disperse the seeds of the fruits they eat, their decline would affect the regeneration of those fruit trees as well, disrupting the entire forest ecosystem.