Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

Notes:
The Environment Protection Act of 1986 (EPA) came into force soon after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy which took place in 1984. The Act is considered umbrella legislation as it fills many lacunae in the existing legislations in India.

Notes:
Carbon dioxide (CO2) has a GWP of 1 and serves as a baseline for other GWP values. GWP of Methane is 21. GWP of Nitrous oxide is 310, GWP of Perfluorocarbons is 140-11,700, and GWP of Sulfur hexafluoride is 23,900. Hence the correct sequence is 1, 2, 3, 4.

Notes:
Wildlife corridor or Green corridor is an area of habitat which connects wildlife populations separated by human activities. Wildlife corridors may be both natural or created. These corridors help animals that move between isolated patches on a daily basis and also those that migrate between habitats seasonally.

Notes:
The growing of evergreen and deciduous trees together form the mixed forests.

Notes:
Montane Wet Temperate Forests is found in upper
reaches of North Bengal hills with an
altitude between 1650 m-3000 m. The main sites of these forests are Selimbong, Kankibong, Little Rangit,
Lopchu, Mahaldiram, Paglajhora, etc
in the districts of Darjeeling and
Kalimpong. The species commonly found in these forests are oak, maple,
pine, fir, deodar and spruce.

Notes:
Particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets that get into the air. This complex mixture includes both organic and inorganic particles, such as dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. Ozone is created in the atmosphere when the sun’s rays split oxygen molecules into single atoms. These atoms combine with nearby oxygen to form a three-oxygen molecule, called ozone.

Notes:
Biological magnification is the increase in concentration of certain fat-soluble chemicals in successively higher trophic levels of a food chain or food web. In other words, as chemical compounds move up through the various links of a food chain by being consumed by different organisms, the toxic effect of these compounds is magnified. It plays a devastating role in certain types of pollution.

Notes:
The Vikramashila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS) resides in Bhagalpur district, Bihar, covering about 50 km along the Ganges. It holds the distinction of being India’s only sanctuary for its national aquatic animal, the Gangetic dolphin. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Control (MoEFCC) declared the Gangetic dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal of India and launched the Ganges River Dolphin Conservation Programme in 1997 – a testament to its dedication to preserving this unique species.

Notes:
In any ecosystem, there is conversion of inorganic into organic material with the help of the radiant energy of the sun by the autotrophs; consumption of the autotrophs by heterotrophs; decomposition and mineralisation of the dead matter to release them back for reuse by the autotrophs, these events are repeated over and over again. There is unidirectional movement of energy towards the higher trophic levels and its dissipation and loss as heat to the environment.

Notes:
The Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves, a UNESCO World Heritage site, encompasses 25 protected areas spanning 4,700 km² in Brazil. It features diverse landscapes from karst mountains to coastal wetlands, showcasing exceptional scenic beauty. The site is home to over 450 tree species per hectare, with 70% of tree species, 85% of primates, and 39% of mammals being endemic. It supports 120 mammal species, including the jaguar and black-faced lion tamarin, and 350 bird species. The area contains the largest number of karst caves in Brazil and is a crucial ecological corridor for the Atlantic Forest biome. Despite being one of the most threatened biomes, the site remains a vital hub for biodiversity conservation and research.