Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

Notes:
Scoping is a process of detailing the terms of reference of Environment Impact Assessment. Quantifiable impacts are to be assessed on the basis of factors like magnitude, prevalence, frequency and duration.

Notes:
The impacts of the following is studied under Impact Prediction in Environment Impact Assessment:
1. Biological
2. Water
3. Land
4. Air
5. Noise

Notes:
Gene banks are established to protect genetic material, be it plant or animal. In plants, genetic material can be saved by freezing cuts from the plant, or stocking the seeds. In animals, genetic material can be saved by freezing of sperm and eggs in zoological freezers until further need.

Notes:
Minamata disease is a neurological syndrome caused by severe methyl mercury poisoning. It is caused by eating large quantities of fish and shellfish polluted by methyl mercury in factory wastewater. The disease is named after Minamata city in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan, where it was first discovered in 1956.

Notes:
Lichens are used as air pollution indicators, especially of the concentration of Sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere. If air is very badly polluted with sulphur dioxide there may be no lichens present, just green algae may be found. If the air is clean, shrubby, hairy and leafy lichens become abundant.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Sultanpur National Park is located at Sultanpur, Haryana in Gurgaon District, Haryana. As a bird sanctuary it was the finding of Peter Jackson, famous ornothologist, and Honorary Secretary of the Delhi Birdwatching Society, who wrote to Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, founder of the Society, in 1970 about the need to declare the Sultanpur jheel near Delhi, a bird sanctuary, and she asked him to take her there.

Notes:
Sikkim is the largest producer of orchids in India. The state is home to an amazing 450 species of exotic orchids alone. Annually, around 20 million stalks of orchids are produced in Sikkim. Sikkim, owing to its climatic conditions, has developed as a natural hub of orchids.

Notes:
Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina hosts the largest ice cap outside Antarctica and Greenland. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, established in 1937, spans over 726,927 hectares and is home to 47 active glaciers, including the well-known Perito Moreno Glacier. Divided by Lake Argentino and Lake Viedma, the park holds the scenic Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre in its northern segment. The park’s varied ecosystem sustains unique species and attracts over 688,000 visitors every year, making it a favorite among nature lovers and providing a crucial research site for scientists studying climate change.

Notes:
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.