Biodiversity part 1

41. Which one of the following regions of India is regarded as an 'ecological hot spot'? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1996]

(a) Western Himalayas
(b) Northern Himalayas
(c) Western Ghats
(d) Eastern Ghats

Correct Answer: (c) Western Ghats

Solution:Wextern Ghats is a mountain range (in a stretch of 1,600 Km) parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world. These are home to high mountain forests, which have been severely fragmented due to human activities, especially clear-felling for tea, coffee, and teak plantations.

In 2010, MoEFCC appointed the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), to be chaired by ecologist Dr Madhav Gadgil. It was formed to study the impact of population pressure, climate change and development activities on the Western Ghats.

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.

42. Which of the following is a bio-diversity rich place in India? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]

(a) Western Ghat
(b) Eastern Ghat
(c) Thar Desert
(d) The Bay of Bengal

Correct Answer: (a) Western Ghat

Solution:Wextern Ghats is a mountain range (in a stretch of 1,600 Km) parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world. These are home to high mountain forests, which have been severely fragmented due to human activities, especially clear-felling for tea, coffee, and teak plantations.

In 2010, MoEFCC appointed the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), to be chaired by ecologist Dr Madhav Gadgil. It was formed to study the impact of population pressure, climate change and development activities on the Western Ghats.

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.

43. Which among the following is not a globally accepted National 'hot spot' of India? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

(a) Himalayas
(b) Naro Hills
(c) Sundaland
(d) Western Ghats

Correct Answer: (b) Naro Hills

Solution:A Biodiversity hot spot' is a region with a high amount of biodiversity that experience habitat loss by human activity. In order to qualify as a biodiversity hotspot according to Conservation International a region must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants (70.5% of the world's total) as endemics and it have lost atleast 70% of its original habitat. There are major four biodiversity hot spot in India. The Himalaya as, Indo-Burma Region, Western Ghat and Sundaland. Naro Hills is not a Hot Spot of India.

44. Which of the following regions of our country is known as a "HotSpot of Biodiversity"? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2022]

(a) Thar Desert
(b) Western Ghats
(c) Eastern Ghats
(d) Deccan plateau

Correct Answer: (b) Western Ghats

Solution:Western Ghats is a mountain range (in a stretch of 1,600 Km) parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world. These are home to high mountain forests, which have been severely fragmented due to human activities, especially clear-felling for tea, coffee, and teak plantations.

In 2010, MoEFCC appointed the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), to be chaired by ecologist Dr Madhav Gadgil. It was formed to study the impact of population pressure, climate change and development activities on the Western Ghats.

45. Given below are two statements one of labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2022]

Assertion (A) : Phytoplankton grow in abundance in the limnetic zone.
Reason (R) : Limnetic zone is open water zone, Select the correct answer from the code given
below :
codes :

(a) (A) is true but (R) is false
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(c) (A) is false but (R) is true
(d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)

Correct Answer: (b) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

Solution:The limnetic zone is the most photosynthetically active zone of a lake since it is the primary habitat for planktonic species. Because phytoplankton populations have highest density here, it is the zone largely responsible for oxygen production within the aquatic ecosystem. The limnetic zone is the open and well-lit area of a freestanding body of a freshwater, such as a lake or pond. Not included in this area is the littoral zone, which is the shallow, near-shore area of the water body.

46. Three of the following criteria have contributed to the recognition of Western Ghats, Sri Lanka and Indo-Burma regions as hotspots of biodiversity : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2011]

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?

(a) 1, 2 and 6
(b) 2, 4 and 6
(c) 1, 3 and 5
(d) 3, 4 and 6

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 5

Solution:The criteria for the recognition of regions as hotspot are species richness, endemism and threat perception that led to the recognition of Western Ghats, Sri Lanka and Indo-Burma regions as hotspots of biodiversity.

Biodiversity Hotspots refer to biogeographic regions that are both a significant reservoir of biodiversity and are threatened with destruction.In other words, they are regions that are both rich in biodiversity and significantly threatened by human activities. These areas are critical for conservation efforts due to their high levels of endemic species, which are species found nowhere else on Earth.

47. The destruction of biodiversity is due to : [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2002]

(a) The lack of natural habitats of the organism
(b) Environmental pollution
(c) Destruction of forests
(d) All the above

Correct Answer: (d) All the above

Solution:The main cause of the loss of biodiversity is the influence of human beings on the world's ecosystem. The threats to biodiversity can be summarized in the following main points: Alteration and loss of the habitats
Introduction of exotic species and genetically modified organisms
Pollution
Climate change
Overexploitation of resources

48. The main reason for the decrease in biodiversity is : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

(a) Habitat pollution
(b) Introduction of exotic species
(c) Over exploitation
(d) Natural habitat destruction

Correct Answer: (d) Natural habitat destruction

Solution:Natural habitat destruction is the main reason for the decrease in biodiversity as the transformation of the natural areas determines not only the loss of the plant species but also a decrease in the animal species associated with them.

The transformation of natural habitats like forests, wetlands, and grasslands into agricultural land, urban areas, and infrastructure is a primary cause. Rapid urbanization and industrial development lead to habitat destruction and fragmentation through the construction of buildings, roads, and factories. Mining activities, particularly surface mining, can cause significant habitat destruction and degradation.

While essential for food production, intensive agriculture, including deforestation for farmland and the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers, can lead to habitat loss and degradation.Roads, railways, and other infrastructure projects can fragment habitats, making it difficult for species to move and access resources.

49. The main reason for the decrease in biodiversity is - [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

(a) Habitat pollution
(b) Introduction of exotic species
(c) Over-exploitation
(d) Habitat destruction

Correct Answer: (d) Habitat destruction

Solution:Natural habitat destruction is the main reason for the decrease in biodiversity as the transformation of the natural areas determines not only the loss of the plant species but also a decrease in the animal species associated with them.

The transformation of natural habitats like forests, wetlands, and grasslands into agricultural land, urban areas, and infrastructure is a primary cause. Rapid urbanization and industrial development lead to habitat destruction and fragmentation through the construction of buildings, roads, and factories. Mining activities, particularly surface mining, can cause significant habitat destruction and degradation.

While essential for food production, intensive agriculture, including deforestation for farmland and the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers, can lead to habitat loss and degradation.Roads, railways, and other infrastructure projects can fragment habitats, making it difficult for species to move and access resources.

50. Which of the following factor is the most important factor for the lost of biodiversity? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

(a) Destruction of natural habitat
(b) Pest control
(c) Genetic assimilation
(d) Control of predators

Correct Answer: (a) Destruction of natural habitat

Solution:Destriction of natural habitatis the most important factor for the lost of biodiversity. Habitat loss posses the greatest threat to species. The world's forests, swamps, plains, lakes,and other habitats continue to disappear as they are harvested for human consumption and cleared to make way for agriculture, housing, roads, pipelines and the other hallmarks of industrial development.

Biodiversity part 1

41. Which one of the following regions of India is regarded as an 'ecological hot spot'? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1996]

42. Which of the following is a bio-diversity rich place in India? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]

43. Which among the following is not a globally accepted National 'hot spot' of India? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

44. Which of the following regions of our country is known as a "HotSpot of Biodiversity"? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2022]

45. Given below are two statements one of labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2022]

46. Three of the following criteria have contributed to the recognition of Western Ghats, Sri Lanka and Indo-Burma regions as hotspots of biodiversity : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2011]

47. The destruction of biodiversity is due to : [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2002]

48. The main reason for the decrease in biodiversity is : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

49. The main reason for the decrease in biodiversity is - [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

50. Which of the following factor is the most important factor for the lost of biodiversity? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

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