Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

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Deciduous forests can be seen in areas receiving 60 to 120 cms of rainfall annually.

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Ecology is the scientific study of interactions among organisms and their environment, such as the interactions organisms have with each other and with their abiotic environment. Topics of interest to ecologists include the diversity, distribution, amount (biomass), number (population) of organisms, as well as competition between them within and among ecosystems.

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Green House Effect is a process by which thermal radiation from a planetary surface is absorbed by atmospheric green house gases and is re-radiated in all directions. It results an increase in average temp of the planet.

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Biological magnification is the increase in concentration of certain fat-soluble chemicals in successively higher trophic levels of a food chain or food web. In other words, as chemical compounds move up through the various links of a food chain by being consumed by different organisms, the toxic effect of these compounds is magnified. It plays a devastating role in certain types of pollution.

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The Taj Mahal, is slowly turning brownish-yellow because of air pollution, also called “Marble cancer”. The Industries located in and around Agra especially the Mathura oil refinery have been responsible for producing pollutants. Emissions of sulphur dioxide around the Taj Mahal are twice the permissible levels. Now, researchers found 3% of the deposits to be black carbon, around 30% organic carbon (or brown carbon) and most of the rest dust. Black carbon is emitted by vehicles and other machines that burn fossil fuels.

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The Keibul Lamjao National Park is a national park in the Bishnupur district of the state of Manipur in India. It is 40 km2 (15.4 sq mi) in area, the only floating park in the world, located in North East India, and an integral part of Loktak Lake.

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Blowing or moving air is called wind. The speed of wind may vary from 5-10 km/h (gentle breeze) to 700-800 km/h (tornado). The speed and direction of wind is affected by the following factors :

• Location on the earth
• Rotation of the earth
• Local conditions
• Height from the ground

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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.

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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.

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K’gari, also known as Fraser Island, is recognized globally as the largest sand island. Located in Queensland, Australia, this World Heritage-listed island covers a vast expanse of 120 kilometers. Further adding to its ecological significance, it harbors varied ecosystems ranging from rainforests to perched freshwater lakes. Notably, it serves as a habitat for a pure breed of dingoes and is home to Boomanjin Lake, the world’s largest perched lake. The island carries a historic and cultural resonance as it was once associated with the Butchulla people and used as an Allied training base during World War II.