Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

Notes:
A landslide is the movement of rock, earth, or debris down a sloped section of land. It is mainly caused due to a variety of factors. some of the man-made factors are- Deforestation, removal of the upper layer of soil, etc and the natural causes are rain, earthquake, etc.

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Environment Impact Assessment Notification of 2006, divided developmental projects in two categories, i.e., Category A and Category B. Category A’ projects are assessed at national level by the Impact Assessment Agency (IAA) and the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC). Category B projects are assessed at state level.

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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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The three R’s of eco-friendly living are: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. They all help to cut down on the amount of waste, we throw away. They conserve natural resources, landfill space and energy.

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Old compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs lead to mercury pollution. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, common CFL bulbs contain 3-5 milligrams (mg) of mercury. CFLs, like all fluorescent lamps, contain mercury as a vapor inside the glass. Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal that exists in several forms. Human contact with mercury, in any form, can produce toxic effects if the dose is high enough.

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Absence of fish along a river indicates zone of degradation. This zone is found for a certain length just below the point where sewage is discharged into the river-stream. This zone is characterised by water becoming dark and turbine with formation of sludge deposits at the bottom. D.O is reduced to about 40% of the saturated value.

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The Kyoto Protocol was an international treaty which extended the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that commits state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, based on the scientific consensus that global warming is occurring and that human-made CO2 emissions are driving it. 

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Mylo is a leather-like material made from mycelium, the underground root structure of mushrooms. Mylo is a sustainable alternative to leather because it can be grown without polluting substances. It is also more sustainable than synthetic leathers, which are usually made from petroleum-derived inputs.
Mylo is grown in a controlled indoor environment. The growing process is designed to be low impact and takes less than two weeks. It emits fewer greenhouse gases and uses less water and resources than animal-based leather.
Mylo is 80% bio-based and is completely biodegradable and compostable. However, when extra durability is needed, the mushroom leather is reinforced with polyurethane, which decreases its biodegradability.

Notes:
The Heard and McDonald Islands are located in the sub-Antarctic region and serve as external territories of Australia. These volcanic islands, discovered in the 1850s by American mariners John Heard and William McDonald, were proclaimed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. These islands, recognized for their unique wildlife and geology (including active volcanoes), are considered one of the world’s most remote places. Initially claimed by the UK in 1910, they were transferred to Australia in 1947, hence, the land boasting the highest mountain under Australian sovereignty.

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The Ningaloo Coast is a World Heritage Site located in Western Australia renowned for its diverse marine ecosystems and exceptional biodiversity. This 705,015 hectares site features Australia’s largest fringing coral reef, supporting over 500 fish, 250 coral, and 600 mollusc species. There have been some recent unusual sightings, including the reappearance of the short-nosed sea snake in 2015. The crystal-clear water, due to the area’s arid climate, is perfect for snorkelling and underwater diving. The coast also includes nesting sites for three species of sea turtles. This significant site has been managed through a marine park since 1987.