Environment & Biodiversity MCQs
Environment, Ecology & Biodiversity Multiple choice questions for GK paper in SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations.
41. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Earth Hour?
1. It is a global event which is organized by WWF.
2. On this day households and businesses turn off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for an hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change.
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:
Earth Hour is a global event which is organized by WWF. On this day households and businesses turn off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for an hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change.
42. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the Least Developed Countries Fund?
1) It was established in 2001.
2) It is operated by the Global Environment Facility
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:
The Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) was established in 2001 and is operated by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It was established to support these countries work programme under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
43. Why do Mangrove trees have breathing roots?
[A] The roots prevent soil erosion
[B] To store oxygen up to 4 days
[C] The roots are the only place where photosynthesis is done
[D] To obtain oxygen from the air
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [To obtain oxygen from the air]
Notes:
The trees of mangrove forest having
breathing roots, which are usually very large to stand in deep mud. The necessity of Mangrove having breathing roots is to obtain oxygen from the atmosphere, while the soil in which mangroves grow are poor in oxygen.
44. Cellulose fibers are organic pollutant mainly produced by which Industry/ Industries?
I. Mining Industry
II. Soap and detergent Industry
III. Paper and Pulp Industry
[A] Only I
[B] Only II
[C] Only III
[D] Both II and III
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only III]
Notes:
Cellulose for industrial use is mainly obtained from wood pulp and cotton. Cellulose is the major constituent of paper, paperboard, and card stock. It is also the main ingredient of textiles made from cotton, linen, and other plant fibres. It can be turned into rayon, an important fiber that has been used for textiles since the beginning of the 20th century.
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. Which is used as an Air pollution indicator?
[A] Algae
[B] Fungi
[C] Bacteria
[D] Lichens
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Lichens]
Notes:
Lichens are used as air pollution indicators, especially of the concentration of Sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere. If air is very badly polluted with sulphur dioxide there may be no lichens present, just green algae may be found. If the air is clean, shrubby, hairy and leafy lichens become abundant.
47. Which of the following represents the most complex trophic level?
[A] Species
[B] Ecosystem
[C] Population
[D] Community
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ecosystem]
Notes:
In ecology, the trophic level is the position that an organism occupies in a food chain – what it eats, and what eats it. Ecosystem represents the most complex trophic level. Each species in an ecosystem is affected by the other species in that ecosystem. There are very few single prey-single predator relationships. Most prey are consumed by more than one predator, and most predators have more than one prey. It is also marked by multi trophic interactions that involve more than two trophic levels in a food web.
48. Addition excessive amounts of heat to a lake is referred to as _____:
[A] Thermal pollution
[B] Heat Bloom
[C] Green House effect
[D] Refrigeration effect
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Thermal pollution]
Notes:
Thermal pollution is defined as the addition of excess of undesirable heat to water thereby making it harmful to man, animal or aquatic life. A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power plants and industrial manufacturers. The change in ambient temperature of water decreases oxygen supply and affects ecosystem composition.
49. The ambient air is stable when the ambient lapse rate is _____:
[A] Neutrally stable
[B] Sub-adiabatic
[C] Hyper-adiabatic
[D] Super-adiabatic
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sub-adiabatic]
Notes:
If the environmental lapse rate is greater than – 5.5 K/km, then there is some small amount of vertical turbulence and the atmosphere is said to be stable. It is also referred to as being sub-adiabatic.
50. Which country is home to Shark Bay, a designated World Heritage Site?
[A] Australia
[B] United States
[C] South Africa
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Australia]
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.