Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

Notes:
Carbon Footprint is a measurement of all greenhouse gases that we produce individually and has units of tonnes (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent. It is made up of the sum of two parts, i.e., the primary footprint and the secondary footprint.

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Xerosere is a type of plant succession which is limited by water availability. Xerosere originates on rock surfaces which are in an unweathered state. There are different stages in a xerarch succession.

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has developed a series of interactive maps and graphs to describe the global climate and how it has changed over time. They focus on 5 key climate indicators:
• carbon dioxide concentration
• global surface temperature
• Arctic sea ice
• land ice
• sea level

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In ecology, abiotic components are non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems. Abiotic components include water, light, radiation, temperature, humidity, atmosphere, and soil.

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An air pollutant is a substance in the air that can have adverse effects on humans and the ecosystem. Because of its role as a greenhouse gas Carbon dioxide (CO2) has been described as “the leading pollutant” and “the worst climate pollution”. Other examples include carbon monoxide gas from motor vehicle exhaust, or the Sulphur dioxide released from factories.

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The ventilation coefficient (m2/s) is a product of maximum mixing depth and average wind speed. It is used as an indicator of the atmosphere’s dispersive capability. High potential for air pollution is generally associated with ventilation coefficient values of less than 6000 m2/s, as established by researchers Portelli and Lewis in 1987.

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Blowing or moving air is called wind. The speed of wind may vary from 5-10 km/h (gentle breeze) to 700-800 km/h (tornado). The speed and direction of wind is affected by the following factors :

• Location on the earth
• Rotation of the earth
• Local conditions
• Height from the ground

Notes:
The Great Dividing Range, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Wet Tropics of Queensland, exhibits an exceptional display of natural beauty, diverse species, and is soaked in evolutionary history. This region preserves the ancient Gondwanan forest of 50-100 million years ago, and is significant in deciphering the evolution of Australian flora and fauna. The range hosts over 400 threatened or rare species and indigenous communities have resided here for over 5,000 years. The highest Australian waterfall, Wallaman Falls, the 13 primary river systems, and multiple national parks are also part of this geography.

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The Okavango Delta in Botswana was inscribed as the 1000th UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. This inland delta, formed by the Okavango River, spans 6-15,000 square kilometers undergoing seasonal flooding. It is a refuge for over 260,000 mammals and 400 bird species, including endangered species. The delta’s unique ecosystem provides a source of fresh water, food, and job opportunities through tourism while supporting indigenous communities. Ensuring biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods is the focus of the 2008 Okavango Delta Management Plan. With over 150,000 islands, Chief’s Island is the largest, demonstrating the delta’s exceptional natural beauty and ecological significance.

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The Iguaçu National Park is a World Heritage Site straddling the borders of Brazil and Argentina. This locale is famous for the panoramic Iguaçu Falls, consisting of about 275 individual falls, spanning 2,700 meters. Most importantly, the park serves as a sanctuary for numerous rare animals like jaguars, ocelots, and jaguarundis. The phenomenal waterfall isn’t only a top tourist attraction but also an important habitat for species like the great dusky swifts. Proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, the park exemplifies global importance in wildlife conservation.