Environment & Ecology PYQs

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1. Prelims 2012Q97Biodiversity & Species

   Consider the following :

   1.Black-necked crane

   2.Cheetah

   3.Flying squirrel

   4.Snow leopard

   Which of the above are naturally found in India?

   a1, 2 and 3 onlyb1, 3 and 4 onlyc2 and 4 onlyd1, 2, 3 and 4
2. Prelims 2012Q98Sustainable Agriculture & DevelopmentAnswer disputed

   Consider the following agricultural practices :

   1.Contour bunding

   2.Relay cropping

   3.Zero tillage In the context of global climate change, which of the above helps/help in carbon sequestration/storage in the soil?

   a1 and 2 onlyb3 onlyc1, 2 and 3dNone of them
3. Prelims 2012Q99Ecology & Ecosystems

   What would happen if phytoplankton of an ocean is completely destroyed for some reason?

   1.The ocean as a carbon sink would be adversely affected.

   2.The food chains in the ocean would be adversely affected.

   3.The density of ocean water would drastically decrease.

   Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

   a1 and 2 onlyb2 onlyc3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
4. Prelims 2012Q100Biodiversity & Species

   Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to

   athe destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive speciesba drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattlecscarcity of food available to themda widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them
5. Prelims 2011Q1Sustainable Agriculture & Development

   In the Union Budget 2011-12, a full exemption from the basic customs duty was extended to the bio-based asphalt (bioasphalt). What is the importance of this material?

   1.Unlike traditional asphalt, bio-asphalt is not based on fossil fuels.

   2.Bioasphalt can be made from non-renewable resources.

   3.Bioasphalt can be made from organic waste materials.

   4.It is eco-friendly to use bioasphalt for surfacing of the roads.

   Which of the statements given above are correct?

   a1, 2 and 3 onlyb1, 3 and 4 onlyc2 and 4 onlyd1, 2, 3 and 4
6. Prelims 2011Q2Environmental Pollution

   Consider the following:

   1.Carbon dioxide

   2.Oxides of Nitrogen

   3.Oxides of Sulphur

   Which of the above is/are the emission/emissions from coal combustion at thermal power plants?

   a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
7. Prelims 2011Q7Renewable Energy

   Microbial fuel cells are considered a source of sustainable energy. Why?

   1.They use living organisms as catalysts to generate electricity from certain substrates.

   2.They use a variety of inorganic materials as substrates.

   3.They can be installed in waste water treatment plants to cleanse water and produce electricity.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
8. Prelims 2011Q9Climate Change

   The formation of ozone hole in the Antarctic region has been a cause of concern. What could be the reason for the formation of this hole?

   aPresence of prominent tropospheric turbulence; and inflow of chlorofluorocarbonsbPresence of prominent polar front and stratospheric clouds; and inflow of chlorofluorocarbonscAbsence of polar front and stratospheric clouds; and inflow of methane and chlorofluorocarbonsdIncreased temperature at polar region due to global warming
9. Prelims 2011Q12Protected Areas & Conservation

   Two important rivers – one with its source in Jharkhand (and known by a different name in Odisha), and another, with its source in Odisha – merge at a place only a short distance from the coast of Bay of Bengal before flowing into the sea. This is an important site of wildlife and biodiversity and a protected area.

   Which one of the following could be this?

   aBhitarkanikabChandipur-on-seacGopalpur-on-seadSimlipal
10. Prelims 2011Q15Climate Change

    Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct?

    aThe carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto ProtocolbCarbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gases below their emission quotacThe goal of the carbon credit system is to limit the increase of carbon dioxide emissiondCarbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations Environment Programme
11. Prelims 2011Q20Biodiversity & Species

    Three of the following criteria have contributed to the recognition of Western Ghats-Sri Lanka and Indo-Burma regions as hotspots of biodiversity:

    1.Species richness

    2.Vegetation density

    3.Endemism

    4.Ethno-botanical importance

    5.Threat perception

    6.Adaptation of flora and fauna to warm and humid conditions

    Which three of the above are correct criteria in this context?

    a1, 2 and 6b2, 4 and 6c1, 3 and 5d3, 4 and 6
12. Prelims 2011Q21Climate Change

    Human activities in the recent past have caused the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but a lot of it does not remain in the lower atmosphere because of

    1.Its escape into the outer stratosphere,

    2.The photosynthesis by phytoplankton in the oceans,

    3.The trapping of air in the polar ice caps.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 and 2b2 onlyc2 and 3d3 only
13. Prelims 2011Q22Ecology & Ecosystems

    In the context of ecosystem productivity, marine upwelling zones are important as they increase the marine productivity by bringing the

    1.Decomposer microorganisms to the surface,

    2.Nutrients to the surface,

    3.Bottom-dwelling organisms to the surface.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 and 2b2 onlyc2 and 3d3 only
14. Prelims 2011Q23Ecology & Ecosystems

    If a tropical rain forest is removed, it does not regenerate quickly as compared to a tropical deciduous forest. This is because

    athe soil of rain forest is deficient in nutrientsbpropagules of the trees in a rain forest have poor viabilitycthe rain forest species are slow-growingdexotic species invade the fertile soil of rain forest
15. Prelims 2011Q24Biodiversity & Species

    The Himalayan Range is very rich in species diversity. Which one among the following is the most appropriate reason for this phenomenon?

    aIt has a high rainfall that supports luxuriant vegetative growthbIt is a confluence of different bio-geographical zonescExotic and invasive species have not been introduced in this regiondIt has less human interference
16. Prelims 2011Q25Indian Environmental Laws & Bodies

    With reference to India, consider the following Central Acts:

    1.Import and Export (Control) Act, 1947

    2.Mining and Mineral Development (Regulation) Act, 1957

    3.Customs Act, 1962

    4.Indian Forest Act, 1927

    Which of the above Acts have relevance to/bearing on the biodiversity conservation in the country?

    a1 and 3 onlyb2, 3 and 4 onlyc1, 2, 3 and 4dNone of the above Acts
17. Prelims 2011Q47Environmental Pollution

    There is a concern over the increase in harmful algal blooms in the seawaters of India. What could be the causative factors for this phenomenon?

    1.Discharge of nutrients from the estuaries.

    2.Run-off from the land during the monsoon.

    3.Upwelling in the seas.

    Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

    a1 onlyb1 and 2 onlyc2 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
18. Prelims 2011Q48Ecology & Ecosystems

    Consider the following :

    1.Photosynthesis

    2.Respiration

    3.Decay of organic matter

    4.Volcanic action

    Which of the above add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on Earth ?

    a1 and 4 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc2, 3 and 4 onlyd1, 2, 3 and 4
19. Prelims 2011Q51Biodiversity & Species

    A sandy and saline area is the natural habitat of an Indian animal species. The animal has no predators in that area but its existence is threatened due to the destruction of its habitat.

    Which one of the following could be that animal ?

    aIndian wild buffalobIndian wild asscIndian wild boardIndian gazelle
20. Prelims 2011Q58Sustainable Agriculture & Development

    With reference to micro-irrigation, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1.Fertilizer/nutrient loss can be reduced.

    2.It is the only means of irrigation in dry land farming.

    3.In some areas of farming, receding of ground water table can be checked.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3