Environment & Biodiversity MCQs
Environment, Ecology & Biodiversity Multiple choice questions for GK paper in SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations.
11. In which of the following food chains, the Pyramid of Numbers will be always inverted?
[A] Grassland Food chain
[B] Ponds Food chain
[C] Forests Food Chain
[D] Parasitic food chain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Parasitic food chain]
Notes:
In a Grassland, the number of producers i.e. plants and grasses is more than the herbivore and number of carnivores is more than the herbivores. The same is valid for Ponds. In Forests, the Pyramid of Number is a broad shaped. The producers are more, herbivores are less but carnivores are again more. In Parasitic food chain, the Pyramid of Numbers is always inverted
12. The ‘Montreaux Record’ is a register of:
[A] Invasive Alien Species and their ecological hazards outside their native environment.
[B] Wetland sites under the threat of anthropogenic activities.
[C] Endangered species of tropical and sub-tropical fauna
[D] Coastal cities under direct threat of consequences of global warming.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Wetland sites under the threat of anthropogenic activities. ]
Notes:
The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites under the threat of anthropogenic activities (on the List of Ramsar wetlands of international importance). Presently 48 sites are listed in Montreux Record.
13. The rate of water erosion can increase if there is :
[A] a decrease in precipitation
[B] an increase in rock particle size
[C] an increase in vegetative cover
[D] an increase in livestock grazing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ an increase in livestock grazing]
Notes:
Negative effects of grazing (or more usually over-grazing) include increased soil erosion, adverse water quality impacts from increased runoff and loss of biodiversity.
14. Grey water footprint is the amount of:
[A] rainwater required (evaporated or used directly) to make a product
[B] freshwater required for mixing and diluting pollutants enough to maintain water quality according to certain standards
[C] surface water and groundwater required (evaporated or used directly) to make a product
[D] sea water (evaporated or used directly) to make a product
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ freshwater required for mixing and diluting pollutants enough to maintain water quality according to certain standards ]
Notes:
Green water footprint is water from precipitation that is stored in the root zone of the soil and evaporated, transpired or incorporated by plants. Blue water footprint is water that has been sourced from surface or groundwater resources and is either evaporated, incorporated into a product or taken from one body of water and returned to another, or returned at a different time. Irrigated agriculture, industry and domestic water use can each have a blue water footprint. Grey water footprint is the amount of fresh water required to assimilate pollutants to meet specific water quality standards.
15. Which of the following pollutants can cause human kidney disorder?
[A] Cadmium
[B] Iron
[C] Cobalt
[D] Carbon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cadmium]
Notes:
The heavy metal cadmium (Cd) is known to be a widespread environmental contaminant and a potential toxin that may adversely affect human health. The kidney is the main organ affected by chronic Cd exposure and toxicity.
16. Which weed is found useful to check water pollution caused by industrial affluents ?
[A] Water hyacinth
[B] Elephant grass
[C] Parthenium
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Water hyacinth]
Notes:
Water hyacinth as indicator of heavy metal pollution in the tropics. The water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a common aquatic plant in many tropical countries. Its ability absorb nutrients and other elements from thewater has made it possible to use it for water purification purposes.
17. Which of the following countries has officially become the 2nd country in the world to declare a climate emergency?
[A] Ireland
[B] Finland
[C] Norway
[D] Sweden
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ireland]
Notes:
After United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland has officially become the 2nd country in the world to declare a climate and biodiversity emergency. It happened after the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) report on Climate Action was accepted by the government and opposition parties without a vote. An amendment to a parliamentary report declaring a climate emergency and calling on parliament to examine how the Irish government can improve its response to the issue of biodiversity loss was accepted. Britain’s parliament became the first in the world to declare a climate emergency, passing the largely symbolic motion on May 1. The step followed 11 days of street protests in London by the Extinction Rebellion environmental campaign group.
18. Which among the following is absorbed by Ozone layer of atmosphere?
[A] Ultraviolet rays
[B] Infrared rays
[C] All radiations of light
[D] Cosmic rays
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ultraviolet rays]
Notes:
The ozone layer or ozone shield is a region of Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation. It contains high concentration of ozone (O3) in relation to other parts of the atmosphere, although still small in relation to other gases in the stratosphere.
19. Which of the following schedules of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 provides absolute protection – offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties?
[A] Part II of Schedule II
[B] Schedule III
[C] Schedule IV
[D] Schedule V
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Part II of Schedule II]
Notes:
The Part II of Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act which was enacted by the Parliament of India in 1972 provides absolute protection – offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties.
20. Which of the following is /are correct statements about the ecosystem?
- It forms with the interaction of biotic and abiotic elements’ interaction
- In an ecosystem different species have different niche unique to themselves but can be overlapping
- An ecotone is a part of an ecosystem.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3 ]
Notes:
An ecosystem is formed by the interaction of biotic and abiotic factors. Niche is formed in an ecosystem. An ecologoical niche is the role and responsibility of an organism in its environment formed due to its interaction with biotic and abiotic factors of an ecosystem. It includes things like food habit, habitat, functional interaction etc. No two species can have exactly same niche in an ecosystem. They can have overlapping niches to some extant but not the same.
A ecotone is formed with the interaction of two different biological community thus forming a transitional area having its own ecosystem. Example- Mangroves.
