Environment & Biodiversity MCQs
Environment, Ecology & Biodiversity Multiple choice questions for GK paper in SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations.
41. The Downhill movement of earth upper soil layer is mainly caused due to which of the following reason?
[A] Pollution
[B] Rain
[C] Drought
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rain]
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.
42. Which of the following statements are correct about the process of scoping Environment Impact Assessment?
1. It is a process of detailing the terms of reference of EIA.
2. Quantifiable impacts are to be assessed on the basis of factors like magnitude, prevalence, frequency and duration.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 & 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
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.
43. Trans-boundary pollution (or) Acid rain is caused by ____:
[A] Hydrocarbon
[B] Carbon monoxide
[C] Nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide
[D] Carbon dioxide
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide]
Notes:
Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic i.e. it possesses elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). It is caused by emissions of oxides of sulphur (SO2 or SO3) and nitrogen oxide, which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids.
44. Which of the following statement is incorrect?
[A] Forest protect the soil from erosion
[B] Plants and animals in a forest are not dependent on one another
[C] Forests influence the climate and water cycle
[D] Soil helps forest to grow and regenerate
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Plants and animals in a forest are not dependent on one another]
Notes:
Plants and animals interact with each other in the environment. In the food chain, some animals each other animals and use them for food. Some animals depend on others through symbiotic relationships. Plants provide a global benefit to animals by releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.
45. What was the main aim of Basel Convention?
[A] Bio-diversity Conservation
[B] Global Warming
[C] Protection of Ozone layer
[D] Climate Change
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bio-diversity Conservation]
Notes:
Basel Convention is an international treaty that was designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations, and specifically to prevent transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries (LDCs). It ultimately aims at biodiversity conservation.
46. Kyoto Protocol, an agreement signed by various countries, is associated with ______:
[A] International Trade
[B] Building common food stock to save human beings from any natural disaster
[C] Clean Environment and Climate Change
[D] Deep Sea Oil and Mineral Exploration
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Clean Environment and Climate Change]
Notes:
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.
47. Microbial degradation of nitrates into atmospheric nitrogen is known as _____:
[A] Ammonification
[B] Denitrification
[C] Nitrification
[D] Putrefaction
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Denitrification]
Notes:
Denitrification is the biological conversion of nitrate to nitrogen gas, nitric oxide or nitrous oxide. It involves nitrate reduction by bacterial species such as Pseudomonas and Clostridium, usually in anaerobic conditions that ultimately produces molecular nitrogen (N2). These bacteria use nitrate as an electron acceptor instead of oxygen during respiration.
48. The Valley of Flowers National Park is located in ____:
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Jammu & Kashmir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttarakhand]
Notes:
Valley of Flowers National Park is a national park, located in North Chamoli, in Uttarakhand. At 3352 to 3658 meters above sea level, the gentle landscape of the Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged mountain wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park to the east.
49. Gondwana Rainforests are found in which country?
[A] Australia
[B] Brazil
[C] India
[D] South Africa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Australia]
Notes:
The Gondwana Rainforests, designated as a World Heritage Site, are located in southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales in Australia. They personify extraordinary instances of Earth’s evolutionary phases, with over 50 sheltered areas playing host to more than 200 rare or endangered species. These rainforests are remnants from the ancient supercontinent Gondwana, evident through tree lineages such as Red and Yellow Carabeen. Unfortunately, they are threatened by climate change and provide important habitats for scarce species like the Hastings River Mouse and Parma Wallaby. Drawing around 2 million tourists each year, these vast rainforests cover an impressive 366,500 hectares.
50. In which country is the Pantanal wetland located?
[A] Brazil
[B] Argentina
[C] Peru
[D] Bolivia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Brazil]
Notes:
The Pantanal Conservation Area, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, accounts for 1.3% of the vast Pantanal wetland in Brazil and spans across 187,818 hectares. It provides shelter for more than 650 bird species, 325 fish species, and 80 mammal species, including giant armadillo and jaguar. The area’s unique ecosystem extends from floodplains to the Amolar Mountains, supporting diverse habitats and maintaining regional fish stocks. Moreover, it is an all-important breeding ground for wetland birds and refuge for globally threatened species like the hyacinth macaw. Additionally, it is a Ramsar Wetland and a UNESCO Man & Biosphere Reserve.