Quiz 633: Environment, Ecology and Biodiversity Quiz for IAS and PCS Examinations
First Published: June 21, 2012 | Last Updated:August 4, 2019
1. Which among the following multilateral environment agreements (MEAs) is not correctly paired with the respective issue it deals with ?
[A] Montreal Protocol of 1987 – Ozone Depleting Substances.
[B] Bonn Convention of 1979 – The conservation of Migratory Species
[C] Basel Convention of 1989 – Regulation of transboundary movement,transit, handling and use of Living Modified Organisms.
[D] Rotterdam Convention of 1998 – Consensual International Trade in certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Basel Convention of 1989 – Regulation of transboundary movement,transit, handling and use of Living Modified Organisms.]
Notes:
The Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, usually known simply as the Basel Convention, is an international treaty that was designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations, and specifically to prevent transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries (LDCs). It does not, however, address the movement of radioactive waste.
2. Which of the following two criteria have to be met in order to qualify as a ‘biodiversity hotspot’ on the world hotspots map?
- The region must contain at least 0.5 percent or 1500 species of vascular plants as endemic species.
- The region has to have lost at least 70 percent of its primary vegetation.
Choose the correct option:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
A biodiversity hotspot is a bio-geographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans. The concept of biodiversity hotspots was originated by Norman Myers in two articles in “The Environmentalist”. To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot on Myers 2000 edition of the hotspot-map, a region must meet two strict criteria: it must contain at least 0.5% or 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics, and it has to have lost at least 70% of its primary vegetation.
3. The ‘Red Data Book’ is the documentation of rare and endangered species belonging to which of the following?
- Animals
- Plants
- Fungi
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] 1 and 2
[C] 2 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
A Red Data Book contains lists of species whose continued existence is threatened. Species are classified into different categories of perceived risk. Each Red Data Book usually deals with a specific group of animals or plants and fungi. They are now being published in many different countries and provide useful information on the threat status of the species.
4. The Cartagena Protocol is regarding safe use, transfer and handling of:
[A] Nuclear waste
[B] Invasive Alien Species
[C] Living Modified Organisms(LMOs)
[D] Toxic bye-products and industrial effluents
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Living Modified Organisms(LMOs)]
Notes:
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted on 29 January 2000 as a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity and entered into force on 11 September 2003. It is an international treaty governing the movements of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology from one country to another.
5. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Kyoto Protocol’:
- It is legally binding for Annex I countries.
- It emerged from the deliberations of COP-3 to the UNFCCC.
- The signatories have to reduce their individual Green House Gas emissions by 5.2% from 1990 level.
Which among the above Statement(s) is/are correct?
[A] Only 2
[B] 1 and 2
[C] 2 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1 and 2]
Notes:
Kyoto Protocol of COP-3 to the UNFCCC is a legally binding agreement for Annex-I countries to reduce their collective Green House Gas emissions by 5.2% from 1990 level. The reduction obligation under Kyoto Protocol is additional to the CFCs and industrial gas emissions covered under the Montreal Protocol
6. Which among the following is the most abundant Green-House-Gas(GHG) in the earth’s atmosphere?
[A] Carbon dioxide
[B] Water Vapour
[C] Sulphur Dioxide
[D] Tropospheric Ozone
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Water Vapour]
Notes:
Water vapour also accounts for the largest percentage of the greenhouse effect, between 36% and 66% for clear sky conditions and between 66% and 85% when including clouds.
7. The Temperate Grassland or Shrub-Land Biome is commonly known as –
- Steppe in Central Asia
- Prairie in North America
- Veld in South America
Choose the correct option:
[A] 1 and 2
[B] 1 and 3
[C] 2 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1 and 2]
Notes:
They are called ‘Pampas’ in South America.
8. The ranking of countries as the highest per capita emitters of Carbon Dioxide in the world, takes into acount their annual CO2 emissions from :
1.Burning of fossil fuels
2.Cement Manufacture
3.Land Use such as deforestation
[A] Only 1
[B] 1 and 2
[C] 1 and 3
[D] 1,2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1 and 2]
9. The ‘Olive Ridley turtles’ are considered to be endangered because of their few remaining nesting sites in the world. In this context, which among the following Statement(s) is/are correct ?
- Their peculiar behavior of synchronized nesting in mass numbers is known as ‘Arribada’.
- Gahirmatha Beach in Orissa is one of their few nesting grounds in the world.
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]
10. The ‘thickness’ of Stratospheric Ozone layer is measured in/on:
[A] Sieverts
[B] Dobson units
[C] Melson units
[D] Beaufort Scale
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dobson units]
Notes:
The ozone layer was discovered in 1913 by the French physicists Charles Fabry and Henri Buisson. Its properties were explored in detail by the British meteorologist G. M. B. Dobson, who developed a simple spectrophotometer (the Dobsonmeter) that could be used to measure stratospheric ozone from the ground. Between 1928 and 1958 Dobson established a worldwide network of ozone monitoring stations, which continue to operate to this day. The “Dobson unit”, a convenient measure of the columnar density of ozone overhead, is named in his honour.
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