Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

Notes:
Both Statements are correct:

1. Algal bloom refers to a rapid increase or accumulation in the population of algae in an aquatic ecosystem.
2. Algal blooms can occur in freshwater as well as marine environments.

Notes:
The Ozone-Depleting Substances are Chlorofluorocarbons, HCFCs and Halons which are responsible for the depletion of ozone layer. These substances when transferred to Stratosphere cause the depletion of ozone layer.

Notes:
Littoral and Swamp Forests or the Mangrove Forests mostly contain sundari mangrove trees. The other main
species found in these forests are
casuarina trees, goran, gnewa, baen,
dhundal, etc.

Notes:
Green undecomposed material used as manure is called green manure. It is obtained in two ways: (a) growing green manure crops usually belonging to leguminous family and incorporating into the soil after sufficient growth or (b) by collecting green leaf from plants grown in wastelands, field bunds and forest. The most important green manure crops are sunnhemp, dhaincha, etc.

Notes:
The Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, now also declared a Tiger Reserve, lies on the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills, in Nilgiri District, about 150 km north-west of Coimbatore city in the westernmost part of Tamil Nadu, on the interstate boundaries with Karnataka and Kerala states in South India. The sanctuary is a haven for Bengal Tigers and Indian Leopards and other threatened species.

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:
In any ecosystem, there is conversion of inorganic into organic material with the help of the radiant energy of the sun by the autotrophs; consumption of the autotrophs by heterotrophs; decomposition and mineralisation of the dead matter to release them back for reuse by the autotrophs, these events are repeated over and over again. There is unidirectional movement of energy towards the higher trophic levels and its dissipation and loss as heat to the environment.

Notes:
The Goldman Environmental Prize is a prize awarded annually to grassroots environmental activists, one from each of the world’s six geographic regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Islands and Island Nations, North America, and South and Central America. It was created in 1990 by philanthropists Richard N. Goldman and his wife, Rhoda H. Goldman.

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.

Notes:
The Okavango Delta in Botswana was inscribed as the 1000th UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. This inland delta, formed by the Okavango River, spans 6-15,000 square kilometers undergoing seasonal flooding. It is a refuge for over 260,000 mammals and 400 bird species, including endangered species. The delta’s unique ecosystem provides a source of fresh water, food, and job opportunities through tourism while supporting indigenous communities. Ensuring biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods is the focus of the 2008 Okavango Delta Management Plan. With over 150,000 islands, Chief’s Island is the largest, demonstrating the delta’s exceptional natural beauty and ecological significance.