Categorisation of Species

CATEGORISATION OF SPECIES: The International Union for Conservation cf Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has categorised plants and animals species in order of existence. These categories are defined as follows:-

(i) Normal species Species whose population levels are considered to be normal for their survival such as cattle, sal, pine, rodents etc.

(ii) Endangered species Species facing a high risk of becoming extinct because they are few in numbers or threatened by changing environment or by predators. For example, black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion tailed macaque, sangai (brow anter deer in Manipur), etc.

(iii) Vulnerable species Species whose population is decreasing and are facing a risk of moving into the endangered category. e.g, blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin etc.

(iv) Rare species Species with a small population are rare. These can become vulnerable or endangered if the negative factors affecting them continue to operate. e.g., Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox and hornbill etc.

(v) Endemic species Species which are only found in some particular areas due to their natural or geographical barriers. e.g., mithun (a variety of catrie, found only in Arunachal Pradesh), Andaman wild pig, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman teal etc. Arunachal Pradesh),

(vi) Extinct species Species which are not found after searches of known or likely areas where they may Occur. The extinct species category consists of those species which are also not available in captivity. e.g., Asiatic cheetah, pink head duck.

Increase in Forests Due to Plantation: The dimensions of deforestation in India are not fixed .The forest and tree cover in the country is estimated at 78.92 million hectare, which is 24.01 per cent of the total geographical area (dense fores: 12.24 per cent, open forest 8.99 per cent and mangrove 0.14 per cent). According to the State of Forest Report (2013), the dense forest cover has increased by about 10,098 sq km, since 1997, but this may be due to rise in plantations. This report does not differentiate between natural forests and plantations Therefore. these reports fail to deliver the exact situation.

Asiatic Cheetah : Where did they go? The cheetah (Acinonyx jubantus) is world's Bases land mammal. It is a unique and specialised member of cat family . It can run at the speed of 112 km/h. it is after mistaken for a leopard. Its distinguished marks are the long teardrop shaped lines on each side of the nose from the comer of its eyes to its mouth. Prior to the 20th century, cheetahs were widely distributed throughout Africa and Asia. Today, the Asiatic cheetah is nearly extinct due to a decline of available habitat and prey. In 1952, the species was declared extinct in India.

Sample Questions

(More Questions for each concept available in Login)

Question : 1

Which of the following statement is correct for species? They can inter-breed among themselves. The members of a species occupy the same habitat. They cannot inter-breed with members of other species. It is the highest level of biological classification.
A. Only A	B. Both B nd C	C. Only B	D. All of these
Right Option : B
View Explanation

Question : 2

Which of the following are correct : (a) Blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin etc.are examples of vulnerable species in India. (b) Black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion tailed macaque, sangai (brow anter deer in Manipur), etc are examples of endangered species in India.
A. Only (a) is correct.	B. Only (b) is correct.	C. Both (a) and (b) is correct.	D. None of these
Right Option : C
View Explanation

Question : 3

Species whose population levels are considered to be normal for their survival are known as ___________.
A. Endangered	B. Vulnerable	C. Normal	D. Extinct
Right Option : C
View Explanation