Daily Static MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams - Environment & Ecology (17 June 2023)

Daily Static MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams

Subject : Environment & Ecology

1. Consider the following statements:

1. Major community depends only on the sun's energy.
2. Minor communities are secondary aggregations within a major community and are completely independent units.
3. Two or more species may have identical niches.
4. A well developed ecotones contain some organisms which are entirely different from that of adjoining communities.

How many statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Major Community: These are large-sized, well organized and relatively independent. They depend only on the sun's energy from outside and are independent of the inputs and outputs from adjacent communities.
  • Minor Community: These are dependent on neighbouring communities and are often called societies. They are secondary aggregations within a major community and are not therefore completely independent units. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
  • Niche: A niche is the unique functional role or place of species in an ecosystem. A niche is unique for a species, which means no two species have exact identical niches. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
  • Ecotone: It is a zone of junction between two or more diverse ecosystems and contains some organisms which are entirely different from that of adjoining communities.

2. Consider the following statements, with reference to Sulphur Cycle:

1. The sulphur cycle is completely sedimentary.
2. Atmospheric sulphur dioxide is carried back to the earth after being dissolved in rainwater as weak sulphuric acid.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • The sulphur cycle is the collection of processes by which sulphur moves between rocks, waterways and living systems. This cycle is mostly sedimentary except two of its compounds hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide add a gaseous component to its normal sedimentary cycle. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • It enters the atmosphere from several sources like volcanic eruptions, combustion of fossil fuels, from surface of ocean and from gases released by decomposition. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

3. Consider the following statements, in the context of TRAFFIC:

1. It is a joint programme of WWF and UNEP.
2. It works in collaboration with Convention on International Trade in endangered species of wild Fauna and Flora.
3. It acts to reduce wildlife crime and illegal trade.

How many statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • TRAFFIC is a joint conservation programme of WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and IUCN (International Union For Conservation). Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • It is a non-governmental organisation working on wildlife trade in the context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. TRAFFIC's latest campaign is the WANTED ALIVE series on the four Asian big cats– Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Clouded Leopard – all of them threatened by illegal trade in their body parts. It works in collaboration with Convention on International Trade in endangered species of wild Fauna and Flora. TRAFFIC played a key role in bringing together the South Asian countries to form the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN)– its aim is to collaborate the countries and cooperate to fight wildlife crime in the region. Hence, statement 2 and 3 are correct.

4. With reference to Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, consider the following statements:

1. It was started by FAO.
2. There are only two recognised GIAHS sites in India
3. GIAHS are outstanding landscapes of aesthetic beauty that combine agricultural biodiversity, resilient ecosystems and a valuable cultural heritage.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The FAO recognizes the agricultural heritage regions of the world under a programme titled Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). The purpose of GIAHS is to recognize 'Remarkable land use system and landscapes which are rich in globally significant biological diversity'. Hence, statement 1 and 3 are correct.
  • There are three recognised GIAHS sites in India:
  • Pampore saffron Heritage of Kashmir
  • Koraput Traditional Agriculture of Odisha
  • Kuttanad Below Sea Level Farming System of Kerala. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

5. Consider the following pairs:

Wetland Location
1. Yashwant Sagar Madhya Pradesh
2. Tampara Lake Tamil Nadu
3. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary Odisha
4. Ropar Lake Punjab

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) Only three pairs
(d) All four pairs

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The correct pairing of these wetlands is given below:

Wetland Location
1. Yashwant Sagar Madhya Pradesh
2. Tampara Lake Odisha
3. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu
4. Ropar Lake Punjab

These wetlands are added in the Ramsar site for their conservation and to promote sustainable use of its natural resources. Ramsar Convention is known as the Convention of wetlands. It was established in 1971 by UNESCO and came into force in 1975.