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Biodiversity part 2

📆 October 1, 2024

Total Questions: 50

1. Which of the following can be threats to the biodiversity of a geographical area? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]

  1. Global warming
  2. Fragmentation of habitat
  3. Invasion of alien species
  4. Promotion of vegetarianism

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:Global warming, fragmentation of habitat and invasion of alien species can be threats to the biodiversity of a geographical area while promotion of vegetarianism is not responsible for the same. Hence option (a) is the correct answer.

Biological diversity or biodiversity is that part of nature that includes the variety of genes among the individuals of a species, the variety and richness of all the plant and animal species in an ecosystem and various types of ecosystems on the earth. It has been estimated that only around 1.75 million species out of the potential 8.7 million species of all the plants and animals have been identified and described so far, the majority of which are insects.

The biodiversity of a region is influenced by climatic factors as well as human interventions. The diversity of life on earth is essential for the healthy functioning of ecosystems and it is biodiversity that boosts ecosystem productivity.

India is one of the 17 world's recognised mega-diverse countries, home to roughly 7-8% of all documented species and four of the 36 globally defined biodiversity hotspots.

2. Which of the following can be threats to the biodiversity of a region? [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2016]

    1. Global warming
    2. Fragmentation of habitat
    3. Invasion of alien species
    4. Promotion of vegetarianism

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Codes :

Correct Answer: (c) (1), (2) and (3)
Solution:Five main threats to biodiversity are commonly recognized, these are invasive alien species, climate change, nutrient loading and pollution, habitat change and overexploitation. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

Biological diversity or biodiversity is that part of nature that includes the variety of genes among the individuals of a species, the variety and richness of all the plant and animal species in an ecosystem and various types of ecosystems on the earth. It has been estimated that only around 1.75 million species out of the potential 8.7 million species of all the plants and animals have been identified and described so far, the majority of which are insects.

The biodiversity of a region is influenced by climatic factors as well as human interventions. The diversity of life on earth is essential for the healthy functioning of ecosystems and it is biodiversity that boosts ecosystem productivity.

India is one of the 17 world's recognised mega-diverse countries, home to roughly 7-8% of all documented species and four of the 36 globally defined biodiversity hotspots.

3. Which one of the following strongly threatens biodiversity? [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2010]

Correct Answer: (c) Destruction of natural habitats and vegetation, and jhum cultivation
Solution:Some of the main threats to biodiversity are: 1. Human Activities and Loss of Habitat, 2. Deforestation, 3. Desertification, 4. Marine Environment, 5. Increasing Wildlife Trade and 6. Climate Change. The current practice of shifting cultivation or Jhum cultivation in eastern and northeastern regions of India is an extravagant and unscientific form of land use. The effect of shifting cultivation are devastating and far-reaching in degrading the environment and ecology of these regions.

4. While India's Human population is growing at an outstanding pace, the bird population is shrinking fastly mainly because : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2001]

  1.  There has been an abnormal increase in the number of hunters.
  2.  Bio-pesticides and organic manure are being used on a large scale.
  3. There has been a large-scale reduction in the habitats of the birds.
  4. There has been large-scale use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and mosquito repellents.

Select your answer correctly using the code given below :

Codes :

Correct Answer: (c) 3 and 4 are correct
Solution:India's human population is growing at an outstanding pace but the bird population is shrinking fast mainly because there has been a large-scale reduction in the habitats of the birds and there has been an excessive use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and mosquito repellents. Pesticides like D.D.T. enters into the food-chain so that premature shells crack before time & their population decreases.

5. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and other as the Reason (R). [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

Assertion (A)  : Maximum number of the species of butterflies are found in tropical                                       countries.

Reason (R)      : Butterflies cannot tolerate low temperatures.

Codes :

Correct Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is correct explanation of (A)
Solution:It is generally accepted that climate factors regulate most insect species' life cycle, including butterflies. It is well established that temperature is a key factor for increasing daily activities (flight, foraging, movements) of butterflies. Butterflies cannot tolerate low temperatures. So maximum number of the species of butterflies are found in tropical countries.

6. Biodiversity has maximum danger from : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

Correct Answer: (a) Destruction of natural habitats and vegetation
Solution:It is generally accepted that climate factors regulate most insect species' life cycle, including butterflies. It is well established that temperature is a key factor for increasing daily activities (flight, foraging, movements) of butterflies. Butterflies cannot tolerate low temperatures. So maximum number of the species of butterflies are found in tropical countries.

7. Which of the following is not a reason for the loss of bio-diversity in Uttarakhand? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]

Correct Answer: (c) Afforestation of barren land
Solution:Afforestation of barren land is not a reason for the loss of biodiversity while the expansion of roads, urbanization and extension of agriculture are responsible for the loss of biodiversity.

Construction of roads often leads to fragmentation of habitats, disruption of wildlife movement corridors, and pollution, which can significantly impact biodiversity.

As urban areas expand, natural habitats are destroyed or altered to accommodate human development, leading to a loss of biodiversity.

Expanding agricultural land often involves clearing forests or other natural areas, leading to habitat loss and decline in biodiversity.

8. Which of the following is not responsible for the increase in the biodiversity of an ecosystem? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) (Re Exam) 2015]

Correct Answer: (d) Less number of trophic levels
Solution:The ecosystem is a dynamic entity. The interdependence of organisms on other organisms for food contribute to the creation of different trophic levels. The decrease in trophic level indicates an abundance of a particular type of organism, thus resulting in a decrease in bio-diversity. Rest other factors like the productivity of the ecosystem, intermediate-disturbance and age of the ecosystem contribute to the richness of bio-diversity of the ecosystem.

9. Which one of the following is an important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

Correct Answer: (a) Biosphere Reserves
Solution:Establishment of the Biosphere Reserve is an important strategy for the conservation of Biodiversity. Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. Notably, In-situ and Ex-Situ techniques are adopted for the conservation of biodiversity.

Botanical Gardens are specifically designed for the cultivation, study, and preservation of plants. They are a form of ex-situ conservation, meaning the plants are conserved outside of their natural habitat.

National Parks are areas set aside by a national government to preserve the natural environment, including both flora and fauna, and their ecosystems. They are often large and provide protection for a wide range of species and landscapes.

Wildlife Sanctuaries are primarily focused on protecting the habitat and wildlife of specific animals, with restrictions on activities like hunting and logging. They are often smaller and more targeted in their protection efforts compared to National Parks.

10. Which one of the following is not a site for an in-situ method of conservation of flora? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2011]

Correct Answer: (b) Botanical Garden
Solution:For conservation of flora, Botanical Gardens do not come under in-situ method while Biosphere Reserves, National Parks and Wild Life sanctuaries fall under the in-situ method.

Botanical Gardens are specifically designed for the cultivation, study, and preservation of plants. They are a form of ex-situ conservation, meaning the plants are conserved outside of their natural habitat.

National Parks are areas set aside by a national government to preserve the natural environment, including both flora and fauna, and their ecosystems. They are often large and provide protection for a wide range of species and landscapes.

Wildlife Sanctuaries are primarily focused on protecting the habitat and wildlife of specific animals, with restrictions on activities like hunting and logging. They are often smaller and more targeted in their protection efforts compared to National Parks.

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