Issues on Environment, Biodiversity & Climate Change (Part-II)

Total Questions: 50

31. With reference to 'Forest Carbon Partnership Facility', which of the following statements is/are correct? [2015-1]

1. It is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society and indigenous peoples.

2. It provides financial aid to universities, individual scientists and institutions involved in scientific forestry research to develop eco-friendly and climate adaptation technologies for sustainable forest management.

3. It assists the countries in their 'REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation+)' efforts by providing them with financial and technical assistance.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Solution:The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, the sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (activities commonly referred to as REDD+).

32. With reference to an organization known as 'Birdlife International', which of the following statements is/are correct? [2015-1]

1. It is a Global Partnership of Conservation Organizations.

2. The concept of 'biodiversity hotspots' originated from this organization.

3. It identifies the sites known/referred to as 'Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas'.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Solution:Bird Life international is a global partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity. It is working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources. It is the World's largest partnership of conservation organisations, with over 120 partner organizations. An Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) is an area recognized as being globally important habitat for the conservation of bird populations. The program was developed and sites are identified by Bird Life International.

33. In India, in which one of the following types of forests is teak a dominant tree species? [2015-1]

Correct Answer: (a) Tropical moist deciduous forest
Solution:The tropical moist deciduous forests are found in Sahyadris, the north-eastern parts of the peninsula and along the foothills of the Himalayas. Teak and sal are found in these forests.
Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests
Climatic Conditions
  • Annual rainfall 100 to 200 cm.
  • Mean annual temperature of about 27°C
  • The average annual relative humidity of 60 to 75 per cent.
  • Spring (between winter and summer) and summer are dry.

Characteristics

  • The trees drop their leaves during the spring and early summer when sufficient moisture is not available.
  • The general appearance is bare in extreme summers (April-May).
  • Tropical moist deciduous forests present irregular top storey [25 to 60 m].
  • Heavily buttressed trees and fairly complete undergrowth.
  • These forests occupy a much larger area than the evergreen forests but large tracts under these forests have been cleared for cultivation.

34. Which one of the following is the best description of the term 'ecosystem'? [2015-1]

Correct Answer: (c) A community of organisms together with the environment in which they live
Solution:An ecosystem includes all of the living things (plants, animals and organisms) in a given area, interacting with each other, and also with their non-living environments (weather, earth, sun, soil, climate, atmosphere).

Difference between Ecology, Environment and Ecosystem

EcologyEnvironmentEcosystem
Ecology includes the study of relationships between living organisms and their environment.Environment means surrounding in which organisms live. It is the sum total of conditions that surround us at a given point in time and space.An ecosystem is a functional unit of nature where a community of living organisms interact among themselves and with the surrounding physical environment. An eco-system is a sub-part of Ecology.

35. Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity? [2015-1]

Correct Answer: (b) Keibul Lamjao National Park
Solution:

• Keibul Lamjao National Park: It is the only floating national park in the world. It is located in Bishnupur district of Manipur and is an integral part of Loktak lake. In the 1950s, it was believed that the brow-antlered deer (Cervus eldi eldi) had become extinct in the country; subsequently re-discovered now and found only in this Park. Phumdis or Phumthis (floating marsh) are a series of floating islands, exclusive to the Loktak lake in Manipur state. Phum is a mix of organic matter in which reeds and grasses grow, often up to 1.5 ft. or more.
• Bhitarkanika National Park: Nestled in the estuarial Brahmani-Baitarani region of the north-eastern Kendrapara district of Odisha, Bhitarkanika National Park is the second largest mangrove ecosystem in the country. It is a 145 Sq km large national park which was designated on 16th September 1998 and obtained the status of a Ramsar site in August 2002 (i.e. second Ramsar site of the State after the Chilika lake). It is surrounded by Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. Other rivers to inundate the region are Dhamra, Pathsala.
• Keoladeo National Park: It is located in the State of Rajasthan and is an important wintering ground of Palaearctic migratory waterfowl. It is renowned for its large congregation of non-migratory resident breeding birds. This ‘Bird Paradise’ was developed in a natural depression wetland that was managed as a duck shooting reserve at the end of the 19th century. It was declared a national park in 1982. Its continued existence is dependent on a regulated water supply from a reservoir outside the park boundary.
• Sultanpur National Park (formerly Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary): It is located at Sultanpur village of Gurugram district, Haryana. The status of the park was upgraded to National Park under Section 35 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 on July 5th, 1991

36. With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/are correct? [2015-1]

1. IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments.

2. IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.

3. CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Solution:IUCN is not an organ of UN. It has observer and consultative status at the United Nations.
About International Union for Conservation of Nature
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature is a global organisation that works for the conservation of nature and the sustainable use of natural resources.
• It is a membership Union and is uniquely composed of both Government and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
• It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the tools and knowledge that enable nature conservation, economic development and human progress to take place together.
• Established in 1948, it has evolved into the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network by harnessing the experience, resources and reach of its 1,300 Member organisations.
• It is the global authority on the status of nature and the measures needed to safeguard it.
IUCN was founded as the International Union for the Protection of Nature (or IUPN) in October 1948, following an international conference in Fontainebleau, France. Later, it changed its name to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources in 1956 with the acronym IUCN (or UICN in French and Spanish).

37. With reference to 'dugong', a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? [2015-1]

1. It is a herbivorous marine animal.

2. It is found along the entire coast of India.

3. It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3
Solution:The dugong is a medium-sized marine mammal. Dugong is listed under schedule 1 of India Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. In 2008, a MoU was signed between the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Government of India, in order to conserve dugongs. In fact the highest level of legal protection is accorded to dugongs in India.

38. Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India? [2015-1]

Correct Answer: (c) Gangetic dolphin
Solution:The Gangetic dolphins have been declared as the National Aquatic Animal of India River Dolphin is the National Aquatic Animal of India. The Ministry of Environment and Forests notified the Ganges River Dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal on 18th May 2010. This mammal is also said to represent the purity of the holy Ganga as it can only survive in pure and fresh water.

39. Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances? [2015-1]

Correct Answer: (b) Montreal Protocol
Solution:

• The Montreal Protocol, agreed upon in 1987 and entered into force on 1 January 1989, is a landmark international agreement designed to protect the ozone layer.
• The Montreal Protocol is to reduce the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances, thereby reducing their abundance in the atmosphere and protecting the earth’s fragile ozone layer.
• The Montreal Protocol is widely recognised as the most successful international environmental treaty in history.
• It establishes a mandatory timetable for the phase-out of ODS and has been universally ratified, with all 197 countries worldwide as Parties to the Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol.
Objectives of Montreal Protocol
The objectives of Montreal Protocol are as follows:
• To gradually reduce and eliminate the production and consumption of substances that harm the ozone layer.
• To ensure that all signatory countries commit and implement the Protocol’s provisions.
• To promote ongoing scientific research and assessments to monitor the ozone layer’s health and the Protocol’s effectiveness.
• To assist developing countries in transitioning to ozone-friendly technologies and practices through the Multilateral Fund.

40. What is Rio+20 Conference, often mentioned in the news? [2015-1]

Correct Answer: (a) It is the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.
Solution:The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Rio Summit or Earth Summit. It was a major United Nations conference held in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992.

In 2012, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development was also held in Rio, and is also commonly called Rio+20 or Rio Earth Summit 2012.