Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

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Different Human activities ranging from the burning of fossil fuels to cutting of trees has influenced global surface temperature by changing the radiative balance governing the Earth on various timescales.

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Global warming is defined as the average increase of Earth’s temperature due to natural as well as human induced reasons. Global warming increases the average temperature of the Earth resulting in the melting of ice caps.

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Bioenergy is defined as renewable energy which is made available from materials derived from biological. The sources the sources of bio-energy include:
1. organic residue
2. farm organic residue
3. forest residue
4. organic urban residue
5. Algal residues

Notes:
Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2018 is based on the recommendations of Shailesh Nayak committee. Defense and strategic projects are exempted from regulations. For CRZ-III (Rural) areas, two separate categories have now been stipulated, i.e., CRZ-IIIA & CRZ-IIIB.

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Organisms that obtains hydrogen or electrons from organic substrates are known as Organotrophs. Some organotrophs such as animals and many bacteria can also be heterotrophs.

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Use of chemical fertilisers and excessive use of chemical pesticides are primarily responsible for pollution of our water and land resources. Manure and pesticides contains nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, and pathogens, including bacteria, viruses and parasites. These pollutants contaminate water resources and reduce recreational potential of lakes and rivers, destroy wildlife habitat, and eliminate drinking water supplies for people and livestock.

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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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Forests are home to a large number of plants and animals. They are the “green lungs” and serve as water purifying systems of nature. In a forest, there are various types of interactions that occur between the living and the non-living components. The oxygen released during photosynthesis is used by the animals for respiration. In this way, plants and animals help in maintaining the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Therefore, forests can be considered as a dynamic living entity.

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The Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, now also declared a Tiger Reserve, lies on the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills, in Nilgiri District, about 150 km north-west of Coimbatore city in the westernmost part of Tamil Nadu, on the interstate boundaries with Karnataka and Kerala states in South India. The sanctuary is a haven for Bengal Tigers and Indian Leopards and other threatened species.

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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.