Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

Notes:
Some of the causes of pollution include:

1. Uncontrolled growth of human population
2. Urbanization
3. Rapid industrialization
4. Uncontrolled exploitation of nature
5. Radioactivity
6. Volcanic eruptions
7. Forest fires
8. Strong winds

All the given options contribute to pollution.

Notes:
In the year 1980 the Department of Environment was established in India which was to ensure a healthy environment for the country. This department later became the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) in 1985.

Notes:
Scoping is a process of detailing the terms of reference of Environment Impact Assessment. Quantifiable impacts are to be assessed on the basis of factors like magnitude, prevalence, frequency and duration.

Notes:
A cryogenic storage facility which is used to archive biological samples for use in research and experiments is known as Biobank. Biobanks are an important resource in medical research which support many types of contemporary research like genomics and personalized medicine.

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

Notes:
The most abundant organic compound in the terrestrial environment is cellulose. A type of carbohydrate, cellulose contains chains of glucose rings. Providing strength and rigidity, cellulose forms the cell walls of plants. Cellulose is the primary constituent of wood, making this organic compound the most abundant one on the surface of the Earth.

Notes:
Lichens can be used as air pollution indicators, especially of the concentration of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere. Air pollutants dissolved in rainwater, especially sulphur dioxide, can damage lichens, and prevent them from growing. This makes lichens natural indicators of air pollution.

Notes:
Forests are home to a large number of plants and animals. They are the “green lungs” and serve as water purifying systems of nature. In a forest, there are various types of interactions that occur between the living and the non-living components. The oxygen released during photosynthesis is used by the animals for respiration. In this way, plants and animals help in maintaining the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Therefore, forests can be considered as a dynamic living entity.

Notes:
Bandhavgarh National Park is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh. Bandhavgarh was declared a national park in 1968. This park is known for high density of Tigers. The park derives its name from the most prominent hillock of the area, which was said to be given by Hindu Lord Rama to his brother Lakshmana to keep a watch on Lanka (Ceylon).

Notes:
Vjetrenica Cave, positioned in Ravno, Bosnia and Herzegovina, boasts remarkable biodiversity. As the world’s most biodiverse grotto, it houses over 200 animal species, with 90 troglobionts, creatures that live specifically in caves. The gem of nature spans 7,014 meters, augmented by four rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. Named for the chilling winds emanating from its entrance, it maintains a constant 11 degrees Celsius temperature. Chronologically, its first mention was in 77 A.D by Pliny the Elder, and it has been a protected sanctuary since 1950. This haven for cave-dwelling animals also features unique species, including bacteria and fungi.