Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

Notes:
Sub-alpine Forests is found in the very high reaches of North Bengal hills with an altitude between 3000m-3700m in the Northern part of Darjeeling
district. The main sites of these forests
are Sandakphu, Sabarkum, Phalut, etc.

Notes:
The species commonly found in Sub-alpine Forests are junipers, birch, rhododendrons,
berberis, maling bamboo, laurel, etc. Oak and magnolia occur around the region of
Kalimpong. In the upper Singalila range, dwarf rhododendrons, meadows and
small flowering bushes occur.

Notes:
Dead Animal–Maggots–Frog–Snake is an example of detritus food chain. In such a food chain, Primary consumers are ‘detritivores’ including protozoans, bacteria, fungi, etc which feed upon the detritus (dead organic matter such as fallen leaves, plant parts or dead animal bodies) saprophytically. They are in turn eaten by secondary consumers such as insect larvae, nematodes, etc. In nature, detritus food chains are indispensable as the dead organic matter of grazing food chain is acted upon by the detritivores to recycle the inorganic elements into the ecosystem.

Notes:
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), automobile emissions are the number one source of carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds released into the atmosphere that are primarily responsible for air pollution. Industrial processes are the number two cause of lead pollution in the air, following automobile emissions.

Notes:
Around the world, there is an increasing trend in areas of land, surface waters and groundwater affected by contamination because of one reason or other. However in the last three decades a special interest in the world has aroused by the potential of using the biological methods in the waste water treatment. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) constitutes an important part of an aquatic ecosystem. Water hyacinth as a very promising plant with tremendous application in wastewater treatment is already proved. Water hyacinth is used to treat waste water from dairies, tanneries, sugar factories, pulp and paper industries, palm oil mills, distilleries, etc.

Notes:
Carbon monoxide inhibits the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to body tissues including vital organs such as the heart and brain. When CO is inhaled, it combines with the oxygen carrying haemoglobin of the blood to form carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). Once combined with the haemoglobin, that haemoglobin is no longer available for transporting oxygen.

Notes:
The greenhouse effect is the process by which radiation from a planet’s atmosphere warms the planet’s surface to a temperature above what it would be without its atmosphere. It caused by the presence of water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, and certain other gases in the air.

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:
Chitwan National Park in Nepal is contiguous to the Indian Tiger Reserve Valmiki National Park. Adjacent to the east of Chitwan National Park is Parsa National Park. The coherent protected area of 2,075 km2 represents the Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) Chitwan-Parsa-Valmiki, which covers an area of 3,549 km2.

Notes:
Shark Bay is an outstanding World Heritage Site located in Western Australia. It covers 2.2 million hectares showcasing gorgeous natural beauty and biodiversity, with 70% being marine waters. Known for its world’s largest collection of marine stromatolites, it plays host to threatened species like dugongs. The protected Bernier and Dorre islands are free from non-native animals. The site comprises France Peron National Park and Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve. Its climate is semi-arid with hot summers and mild winters, and the coastline extends over 1,500km. Shark Bay was included in the World Heritage list in 1991 for its rich biodiversity and exemplary natural aesthetics.