UPSC Environment & Ecology
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31. Consider the following statements regarding shifting cultivation:
- It is widely practised by many tribes in the tropics.
- The vegetation is usually cleared by fire, and the ashes add to the fertility of the soil.
- The cultivation is usually carried out with very primitive tools.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 2 and 3
[B] Only 1 and 3
[C] All of the above
[D] Only 1 and 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All of the above]
Notes:
Shifting cultivation, prevalent among tribal groups in tropical regions such as Africa, South and Central America, and Southeast Asia, involves clearing vegetation by fire, with ashes enriching the soil. The cultivation is typically done with basic tools like sticks and hoes. All statements accurately describe features of shifting cultivation.
32. Consider the following statements:
- The Second Law of thermodynamics does not apply to ecosystems.
- Ecosystems need a constant supply of energy to synthesize the molecules they require.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:
The Second Law of thermodynamics applies universally, and ecosystems are not exempt from it. However, ecosystems do require a continuous supply of energy to maintain order and enable the synthesis of necessary molecules, thereby counteracting the tendency toward disorderliness. Thus, only the second statement is correct.
33. Consider the following statements:
- A given species may occupy more than one trophic level in the same ecosystem at the same time.
- The trophic level represents a functional level rather than a specific species.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
The trophic level signifies a functional position within an ecosystem's energy flow, not a specific species. A given species, such as a sparrow, may occupy more than one trophic level—being a primary consumer by eating seeds and fruits, and a secondary consumer by feeding on insects and worms—thus supporting both statements as correct.
34. Which of the following are effects of noise pollution?
- Hearing Loss
- Fatigue
- Low blood pressure
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 & 2]
Notes:
Noise pollution commonly leads to hearing loss and fatigue due to sleep disturbance. It does not cause low blood pressure; instead, it is associated with high blood pressure, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. Thus, only statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect.
35. Which of the following is/are correctly matched?
- Tidal energy – Gravitational pull of Moon
- Wave energy – Potential energy of waves
- Ocean Thermal Energy – Difference in temperature of water
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1 and 3]
Notes:
Tidal energy is derived from the gravitational pull of the Moon. Ocean Thermal Energy utilizes the temperature difference between surface and deep ocean water. Wave energy, however, is generated from the kinetic energy of waves, not their potential energy. Thus, statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrectly matched.
36. Which of the following is/are correctly matched?
- Lithosphere – Earth’s crust
- Hydrosphere – Water
- Biosphere – Air blanket
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 2]
Notes:
The lithosphere refers to Earth's outer crust. The hydrosphere consists of all water on and below Earth's surface. The biosphere, however, refers to regions supporting life, not just the air; the air blanket is termed the atmosphere. Hence, only statements 1 and 2 are correctly matched; statement 3 is incorrect.
37. Consider the following pairs on Falcons and their IUCN status:
- Amur Falcon – Least Concern
- Peregrine Falcon – Critically Endangered
- Laggar Falcon – Near Threatened
- Shaheen Falcon – Endangered
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1 & 3
[B] Only 2 & 4
[C] Only 1 & 2
[D] Only 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 & 3]
Notes:
The Amur Falcon is a small raptor that migrates over 30,000 km between Africa and Northeast Asia, classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. The Peregrine Falcon, crow-sized and the fastest animal, is also listed as Least Concern. The Laggar Falcon, a mid-sized raptor from the Indian subcontinent, is categorized as Near Threatened. The Shaheen Falcon, or Indian Peregrine, is a non-migratory raptor from the same region and is classified as Vulnerable.
38. Consider the following statements regarding Hoolock Gibbons:
- The eastern hoolock gibbon is not found in the wild in India.
- Itanagar Biological Park is the world’s first Hoolock Gibbon Breeding Center.
- Gaoligong hoolock gibbon, also known as Skywalker hoolock gibbon, is a critically endangered species.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 2
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1 and 2]
Notes:
The eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys) is not found in India in the wild; it occurs in Myanmar and China. Itanagar Biological Park is indeed the world’s first Hoolock Gibbon Breeding Center. However, the Gaoligong or Skywalker hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing) is currently classified as endangered, not critically endangered, by the IUCN.
39. Consider the following regarding the development of the Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS):
- Geological Survey of India is involved in its development.
- Ministry of Mines is a part of the LEWS development process.
- British Geological Survey has collaborated for the creation of LEWS in India.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] 1, 2 and 3
[B] Only 1 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 2
[D] Only 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the British Geological Survey have collaboratively developed a prototype Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) and the Ministry of Mines is the parent ministry of GSI. Thus, all three entities mentioned are involved in the LEWS development, making all statements correct.
40. Which of the following comparisons between agroforestry and silviculture is/are correct?
- Agroforestry is a land use management system that primarily governs agricultural landscape with tree intervention whereas silviculture primarily deals with management of trees/forests.
- Agroforestry is a branch of agriculture only whereas silviculture is a branch of forestry only.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:
Agroforestry integrates trees and shrubs with croplands or pasturelands, bridging agriculture and forestry. It focuses on agricultural landscapes enhanced by tree interventions. The Sub-Mission on Agroforestry Scheme operates under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. Silviculture, a forestry branch, manages forest growth, composition, structure, and quality for purposes like timber production.
