Environment & Biodiversity MCQs
Environment, Ecology & Biodiversity Multiple choice questions for GK paper in SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations.
1. The Samaspur Sanctuary is located in which state?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Sikkim
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
The Samaspur Sanctuary is located near Salon in Rae Bareli district of Uttar Pradesh, which is established in 1987, and covers an area of about 780 hectares of land. The best time to visit the place is between November to March. More than 250 varieties of birds can be seen here such as Greylag Goose, Pintail, Common Teal, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler and Ruddy Shelduck (Surkhab).
2. Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, are actually a symbiotic association of __:
[A] algae and bacteria
[B] algae and fungi
[C] bacteria and fungi
[D] fungi and mosses
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ algae and fungi]
Notes:
A lichen is a composite organism consisting of a fungus (the mycobiont) and a photosynthetic partner (the photobiont or phycobiont) (usually algae) growing together in a symbiotic relationship.
3. The most potent greenhouse gas among the following is __?
[A] Carbon dioxide
[B] Methane
[C] Water Vapor
[D] Ozone
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Water Vapor]
Notes:
The most potent greenhouse gas is water vapour, which causes about 36-70% of the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide (9-26%), methane (4- 9%) and Ozone (3-7%) are other major greenhouse gases.
4. Contamination of drinking water with which of the following causes Blackfoot disease (BFD)?
[A] Nitrates
[B] Arsenic
[C] Mercury
[D] Cadmium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Arsenic ]
Notes:
Arsenicosis or Black foot is caused by exposure over a period of time to Arsenic in drinking water. It may also be due to intake of arsenic via food or air. Kindly note that Itai-itai disease is caused by Cadmium poisoning.
5. Headquarters of United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is loacated at:
[A] Geneva
[B] Nairobi
[C] New Delhi
[D] New York
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nairobi]
Notes:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was founded as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in June 1972 and has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. UNEP also has six regional offices and various country offices.
6. The GRIHA standards are related to ?
[A] Architecture Standards
[B] Defense Standards
[C] Environment Standards
[D] Cost Effectiveness
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Environment Standards]
Notes:
GRIHA is a rating tool that enables people check the performance of their building against certain nationally acceptable guidelines. It provides a definitive standard for ‘green building’ by evaluating the environmental performance of a building.
7. Which among the following is world’s top country in terms of clean energy investment?
[A] USA
[B] China
[C] Japan
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
China is the world’s top country in terms of clean energy investment with the investment of 83.4 billion U.S. dollars. China is followed by US, Japan and India (9.3 billion U.S. dollars).
8. For which of the following PM10 and PM2.5 Samplers are used?
[A] Food adulteration
[B] Adulterated Petrol
[C] Environment Pollution
[D] Noise Pollution
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Environment Pollution]
Notes:
PM10 is particulate matter with 10 mm or less in diameter and PM2.5 is particulate matter with 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter. These particles are formed by burning fuel and chemical reactions that take place in the atmosphere which results environment pollution. A new study showed that PM2.5 is more harmful than PM10.
9. Ozone layer lies in:
[A] Troposphere
[B] Tropopause
[C] Stratosphere
[D] Photosphere
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Stratosphere]
Notes:
The ozone layer lies in the region of Earth’s stratosphere. It absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation (97 to 99 % of the Sun’s medium-frequency). The layer contains less than 10 parts per million of ozone. Chlorofluorocarbon is mainly responsible for the depletion of ozone layer.
10. Which among the following is known as “Sairandhri Vanam”?
[A] Silent Valley National Park
[B] Mudumalai National Park
[C] Periyar National Park
[D] Guindy National Park
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Silent Valley National Park]
Notes:
Silent Valley National Park also known as “Sairandhri Vanam” is located in the state of Kerala and is located in the Nilgiri hills. It is home to the lion-tailed macaques, an endangered species of primate. In 1973, “Save Silent Valley” campaign (environmental movement) was initiated when the Kerala State Electricity Board declared to implement the Silent Valley Hydro-Electric Project.