Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

Notes:
Biocapacity refers to capacity of an area to provide resources and absorb wastes at the same time. When an area’s ecological footprint exceeds its biocapacity it results into unsustainability.

Notes:
Zero emission vehicles which are also called as ZEV’s are those vehicles that do not emit any tailpipe pollutants such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide from the onboard source of power.

Notes:
Lingambudhi Lake is a lake in the city of Mysore, Karnataka.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called green house gases. Global Warming Potentials (GWPs) are used to compare the abilities of different green house gases to trap heat in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is used as the base for all the calculations, so its global warming potential is 1.2. The higher the GWP, the more heat the specific gas can keep in the atmosphere. Fluorinated gases : Chlorofluorocarbons, Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride : are synthetic, powerful greenhouse gases that have highest heat trapping abilities. These gases are 1,000; 10,000 even 20,000 times more powerful than Carbon dioxide (CO2) at trapping heat and many can stay in our atmosphere for thousands of years.

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:
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized in 1984, the Iguazu National Park stretches across a vast area of 677 km² in Argentina. The park’s name draws from the Guarani legacy and it was first established in 1934 to protect its stunning natural beauty. It boasts the spectacular Iguazu Falls, consisting of 275 individual waterfalls including the awe-inspiring Devil’s Throat, and is known for its rich biodiversity with over 2,000 plant and 400 bird species. A hub for tourists and nature lovers, the park is home to the elusive jaguars and caimans, attracting over 1.5 million visitors annually.

Notes:
The Great Dividing Range, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Wet Tropics of Queensland, exhibits an exceptional display of natural beauty, diverse species, and is soaked in evolutionary history. This region preserves the ancient Gondwanan forest of 50-100 million years ago, and is significant in deciphering the evolution of Australian flora and fauna. The range hosts over 400 threatened or rare species and indigenous communities have resided here for over 5,000 years. The highest Australian waterfall, Wallaman Falls, the 13 primary river systems, and multiple national parks are also part of this geography.

Notes:
Macquarie Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a subantarctic island 1,500 km southeast of Tasmania. It is a unique geological wonder, composed of oceanic crust and mantle rocks exposed above sea level. The island is home to 28 native vertebrates, including the royal penguin and Macquarie Island shag, with over 750,000 royal penguin pairs breeding annually. The island is also known for its megaherbs and endemic plants like the cushion plant Azorella macquariensis. It has no permanent human population but hosts a research station since 1948. The island’s ecosystem has been impacted by introduced species like rabbits and cats, leading to conservation efforts. Macquarie Island is subject to fierce winds and is an important site for seabirds and seals, with 3.5 million seabirds and 80,000 elephant seals arriving each year to breed and molt.

Notes:
Purnululu National Park, situated in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia, is recognized globally for the unique, cone-shaped karst formations of the Bungle Bungle Range. This World Heritage Site, covering over 239,723 hectares, houses a rich biodiversity including 150 bird species, 40 native mammals, and 81 reptile species. Notable for its indigenous cultural significance, it is also home to three of Australia’s most venomous snakes and features distinctive landmarks such as Echidna Chasm, Cathedral Gorge, and Piccaninny Gorge.