Environment & Ecology PYQs

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1. Prelims 2011Q61Biodiversity & Species

   Biodiversity forms the basis for human existence in the following ways:

   1.Soil formation

   2.Prevention of soil erosion

   3.Recycling of waste

   4.Pollination of crops

   Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

   a1, 2 and 3 onlyb2, 3 and 4 onlyc1 and 4 onlyd1, 2, 3 and 4
2. Prelims 2011Q65Environmental Pollution

   Recently, ‘oilzapper’ was in the news. What is it?

   aIt is an eco-friendly technology for the remediation of oily sludge and oil spillsbIt is the latest technology developed for under sea oil explorationcIt is a genetically engineered high biofuel yielding maize varietydIt is the latest technology to control the accidentally caused flames from oil wells
3. Prelims 2011Q72Protected Areas & Conservation

   Which one of the following is not a site for in-situ method of conservation of flora?

   aBiosphere ReservebBotanical GardencNational ParkdWildlife Sanctuary
4. Prelims 2011Q76Ecology & Ecosystems

   The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge?

   aThe mangrove swamps separate the human settlements from the sea by a wide zone in which people neither live nor venture outbThe mangroves provide both food and medicines which people are in need of after any natural disastercThe mangrove trees are tall with dense canopies and serve as an excellent shelter during a cyclone or tsunamidThe mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots
5. Prelims 2011Q79Biodiversity & Species

   The "Red Data Books" published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) contain lists of

   1.Endemic plant and animal species present in the biodiversity hotspots.

   2.Threatened plant and animal species.

   3.Protected sites for conservation of nature and natural resources in various countries.

   Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

   a1 and 3b2 onlyc2 and 3d3 only
6. Prelims 2011Q96Biodiversity & Species

   Consider the following statements:

   1.Biodiversity is normally greater in the lower latitudes as compared to the higher latitudes.

   2.Along the mountain gradients, biodiversity is normally greater in the lower altitudes as compared to the higher altitudes.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
7. Prelims 2010Q20Biodiversity & Species

   Consider the following statements :

   1.Biodiversity hotspots are located only in tropical regions.

   2.India has four biodiversity hotspots i.e., Eastern Himalayas, Western Himalayas, Western Ghats and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

   a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
8. Prelims 2010Q22Protected Areas & Conservation

   Consider the following statements:

   1.The boundaries of a National Park are defined by legislation.

   2.A Biosphere Reserve is declared to conserve a few specific species of flora and fauna.

   3.In a Wildlife Sanctuary, limited biotic interference is permitted.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   a1 onlyb2 and 3 onlyc1 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
9. Prelims 2010Q23Ecology & Ecosystems

   A pesticide which is a chlorinated hydrocarbon is sprayed on a food crop. The food chain is:

   Food crop – Rat – Snake – Hawk. In this food chain, the highest concentration of the pesticide would accumulate in which one of the following?

   aFood cropbRatcSnakedHawk
10. Prelims 2010Q38Environmental Pollution

    Consider the following:

    1.Oxides of Hydrogen

    2.Oxides of Nitrogen

    3.Oxides of Sulphur

    Which of the above causes/cause acid rain?

    a1 and 2 onlyb3 onlyc2 and 3 onlyd1, 2 and 3
11. Prelims 2010Q56Climate Change

    The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty drawn at

    aUnited Nations’ Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm, 1972bUN Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 1992cWorld Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, 2002dUN Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen, 2009
12. Prelims 2010Q58Sustainable Agriculture & Development

    Which feature of some species of blue-green algae helps promote them as bio-fertilizers ?

    aThey convert atmospheric methane into ammonia which the crop plants can absorb readily.bThey induce the crop plants to produce the enzymes which help convert atmospheric nitrogen to nitrates.cThey have the mechanism to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that the crop plants can absorb readily.dThey induce the roots of the crop plants to absorb the soil nitrates in larger quantities.
13. Prelims 2010Q59International Conventions & Organisations

    India is a party to the Ramsar Convention and has declared many areas as Ramsar Sites.

    Which of the following statements best describes how we should maintain these sites in the context of this Convention?

    aKeep all the sites completely inaccessible to man so that they will not be exploited.bConserve all the sites through ecosystem approach and permit tourism and recreation only.cConserve all the sites through ecosystem approach for a period without any exploitation, with specific criteria and specific period for each site, and then allow sustainable use of them by future generations.dConserve all the sites through ecosystem approach and allow their simultaneous sustainable use.
14. Prelims 2010Q60Renewable EnergyAnswer disputed

    Other than Jatropha curcas, why is Pongamia pinnata also considered a good option for the production of bio-diesel in India?

    1.Pongamia pinnata grows naturally in most of the arid regions of India.

    2.The seeds of Pongamia pinnata are rich in lipid content of which nearly half is oleic acid.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
15. Prelims 2010Q61Climate Change

    Due to their extensive rice cultivation, some regions may be contributing to global warming. To what possible reason/reasons is this attributable?

    1.The anaerobic conditions associated with rice cultivation cause the emission of methane.

    2.When nitrogen based fertilizers are used, nitrous oxide is emitted from the cultivated soil.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 onlyb2 onlycBoth 1 and 2dNeither 1 nor 2
16. Prelims 2010Q62Sustainable Agriculture & Development

    Sustainable development is described as the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In this perspective, inherently the concept of sustainable development is intertwined with which of the following concepts ?

    aSocial justice and empowermentbInclusive GrowthcGlobalizationdCarrying capacity
17. Prelims 2010Q63Renewable Energy

    Given below are the names of four energy crops. Which one of them can be cultivated for ethanol ?

    aJatrophabMaizecPongamiadSunflower
18. Prelims 2010Q64Protected Areas & Conservation

    Consider the following pairs:

    Protected area — Well-known for

    1.Bhitarkanika, Orissa — Salt Water Crocodile

    2.Desert National Park, Rajasthan — Great Indian Bustard

    3.Eravikulam, Kerala — Hoolak Gibbon

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?

    a1 onlyb1 and 2 onlyc2 onlyd1, 2 and 3
19. Prelims 2010Q103Biodiversity & Species

    King Cobra is the only snake that makes its own nest. Why does it make its nest?

    aIt is a snake-eater and the nest helps attract other snakesbIt is a viviparous snake and needs a nest to give birth to its offspringcIt is an oviparous snake and lays its eggs in the nest and guards the nest until they are hatcheddIt is a large, cold blooded animal, and needs a nest to hibernate in the cold season
20. Prelims 2010Q104Sustainable Agriculture & Development

    As a result of their annual survey, the National Geographic Society and an international polling firm GlobeScan gave India top rank in Greendex 2009 score. What is this score?

    aIt is a measure of efforts made by different countries in adopting technologies for reducing carbon footprintbIt is a measure of environmentally sustainable consumer behaviour in different countriescIt is an assessment of programmes/schemes undertaken by different countries for improving the conservation of natural resourcesdIt is an index showing the volume of carbon credits sold by different countries