Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

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A biofuel is a fuel that is produced through contemporary processes from biomass (living or once-living material). They are a renewable source of energy and can be solid, liquid, or gaseous in nature.

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Permaculture is a method of developing ecologically harmonious, efficient, and sustainable means of farming. The Agroforestry and mixed farming uses a land management system in which trees or shrubs or crops and livestock are raised together. Hence all three are elements of sustainable agriculture.

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Climate change can be defined as the ongoing rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s climate system. From all the given options only climate change is not a natural hazard but is induced by human activities.

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The India Meteorological Department which is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India was established in 1875. It is responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology.

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The International Tsunami Information Centre also termed as ITIC was established in November 1965 by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It is located at Honolulu.

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Grasslands and shrubs ecosystems typically flourish in areas that receive 25 cm to 75 cm of rainfall per year. This range of rainfall is not sufficient for supporting dense forests but is adequate for grasses and shrubs. The richness and distribution of species are greatly affected by rainfall patterns and seasonality. Knowing the amount of rainfall helps in predicting vegetation type in a particular region, which is crucial for management and conservations strategies.

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Lichens are found in both nature and in human-made environments, including rocks, trees, barren earth, metal and concrete. They are sensitive to air pollution because they receive all nutrients from the atmosphere, which makes them valuable as indicator species. The presence of sulphur dioxide force them to perish.

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India’s first national park was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. It is now known as Jim Corbett National Park. It is located in Nainital district of Uttarakhand and was named after Jim Corbett, a British- Indian hunter and tracker-turned-conservationist, who played a key role in its establishment.

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Thalweg Doctrine is a part of international law that aims to resolve water boundary disputes. The doctrine states that the boundary between two states divided by a flowing body of water may be drawn along the thalweg, which is the line of the greatest depth of the channel. The boundary would follow the center of the principal navigable channel of the waterway.

The Thalweg Doctrine has been used in several disputes, including:

1. The Shatt al-Arab between Iraq and Iran
2. The Danube in central Europe (Croatia–Serbia border dispute)
3. The Kasikili/Sedudu Island dispute between Namibia and Botswana
4. The 2004 dispute settlement under the UN Law of the Sea

The Thalweg Doctrine has also been used in the Sir Creek dispute between India and Pakistan. The dispute is not settled yet due to a lack of trust.

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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.