UPSC Environment & Ecology
These questions have been sourced from GKToday’s “Target 2026 UPSC Prelims” App Exclusive Course in GKToday Android Application which provides more than 40K General Knowledge and General Studies questions with explanations asked in all Competitive Exams of India.
1. Consider the following:
- Community Reserves
- Eco Sensitive Zones
- Biosphere Reserves
Which among the above are fixed in India as procedures fixed in various acts related to Wildlife / Environment protection?
[A] 1 & 2
[B] 1 & 3
[C] Only 1
[D] all of them
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1]
Notes:
Community Reserve was established under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It enables any state government to declare community-owned forest area as “community reserve” if locals are willing to participate in conservation efforts for same. Under it, community reserve receives same legal protection as National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
2. Consider the following authorities:
- National water resources council
- National Board for Wildlife
- National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
Prime Minister is the chairperson for which of the above?
[A] 1 & 2 Only
[B] 2 Only
[C] 2 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1 & 2 Only]
Notes:
Prime Minister is the chairman of National board of wildlife. The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is a statutory autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Its chairperson is appointed by Government of India. National Water Resource Council is headed by Prime Minister.
3. Consider the following statements regarding global temperature records and climatic phenomena:
- El Nino is responsible for boosting already warm years into the hottest years.
- El Nino marks warming of the central Pacific Ocean.
- 2013 was an El Nino year, which contributed to it being exceptionally warm.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 2 and 3
[B] Only 1 and 2
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] Only 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1 and 2]
Notes:
El Nino is characterized by a warming of the central Pacific Ocean and is known to boost already warm years into the hottest years on record. However, 2013 was not an El Nino year; the warming observed that year occurred without the influence of El Nino. Hence, only statements 1 and 2 are correct.
4. With reference to types of soils, consider the following statements regarding Histosols:
- They have abundance of organic matter and are rich in plant nutrition.
- They are of acidic nature.
Which of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:
Histosols, also called organosols, are soils rich in organic matter formed from decomposed plant material, often in wetlands. While they do have abundant organic matter and are acidic in nature, they are generally poor in plant nutrients due to slow mineralization. Hence, statement 2 is correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.
5. Consider the following:
- Albedo effect
- Aerosols in atmosphere
- Water vapour
Which of the above has/have contributed to Global Warming?
[A] 1, 2 and 3
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1 and 3 only
[D] 2 only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
Albedo effect (changes in Earth's reflectivity), aerosols (though both cooling and warming potential), and water vapour (a potent greenhouse gas) all influence global warming. While aerosols can sometimes reflect solar radiation, others like black carbon contribute to warming. Water vapour amplifies the greenhouse effect. Therefore, all three contribute to global warming through direct or indirect mechanisms.
6. Consider the following statements regarding Olive Ridley Sea Turtles:
- They are the most abundant sea turtle species in the world.
- They are endemic to tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean.
- They are the only sea turtle species to exhibit synchronous mass nesting.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] Only 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1 & 3]
Notes:
Olive Ridley Sea Turtles are the most abundant sea turtle species and are famous for synchronous mass nesting called arribadas. They are not endemic to the Pacific; their distribution includes tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. Only statements 1 and 3 are correct; statement 2 is incorrect.
7. With reference to the impacts of rising meat production and consumption, which of the following footprints are expected to increase?
- Water footprint
- Phosphorus footprint
- Carbon footprint
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 3
[C] Only 2
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Meat production is resource-intensive, leading to higher water footprint (irrigation, animal hydration), phosphorus footprint (fertilizers for feed crops), and carbon footprint (livestock methane, land conversion for grazing/feed). All three footprints increase with greater meat production and consumption due to demands on water, fertilizers, and greenhouse gas emissions throughout the supply chain.
8. Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?
- Energy flow in an ecosystem is multidirectional
- Primary consumers can be carnivores
- Seed banks are examples of ex-situ conservation
- A food chain always begins with heterotrophic consumer
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 3
[B] 3 & 4 Only
[C] 1, 2 & 4 Only
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1, 2 & 4 Only]
Notes:
Statement 3 is correct; seed banks are ex-situ conservation methods. Statements 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect: energy flow is unidirectional, primary consumers are herbivores (not carnivores), and food chains start with photosynthetic autotrophs, not heterotrophic consumers.
9. Consider the following statements regarding the Kiang and Ghor Khar wild asses found in India:
- Kiang is the Tibetan Wild Ass, while Ghor Khar is the Indian Wild Ass found in Gujarat.
- Kiang is the largest among all African and Asiatic wild asses.
- Ghor Khar is one of the fastest of Indian animals.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] 1, 2 and 3
[B] Only 1 and 2
[C] Only 2 and 3
[D] Only 1 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
All three statements are correct. The Kiang, or Tibetan Wild Ass, is indeed the largest of all African and Asiatic wild asses and is found in Ladakh and Sikkim in India. Ghor Khar refers to the Indian Wild Ass, primarily found in Gujarat, and is one of the fastest Indian animals, easily outpacing vehicles in its habitat.
10. Which of the following are Ramsar recognised wetland sites in India?
- Ashtamudi Wetlands
- Bhitarkanika Mangroves
- Deepor Beel
- Kolleru Lake
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 1, 3 & 4
[C] Only 2, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
Ashtamudi Wetlands (Kerala), Bhitarkanika Mangroves (Odisha), Deepor Beel (Assam) and Kolleru Lake (Andhra Pradesh) are all designated Ramsar sites, indicating their international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands for conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources in India.
