Daily Static MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams - Environment & Ecology (2 December 2023)

Daily Static MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams

Subject : Environment & Ecology (2 December 2023)

1. Consider the following statements regarding Temperate Deciduous Biome:

1. They are found in areas with warm moist summers and cool winters.
2. Soils of temperate forests are podozolic and fairly deep.
3. The trees shed their leaves in the summer season.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Temperate deciduous or temperate broad-leaf forests are a variety of temperate forest ‘dominated’ by trees that lose their leaves each year. They are found in areas with warm moist summers and cool winters. Soils of temperate forests are podozolic and fairly deep. The trees shed their leaves in the cold season. This is an adaptation for protecting themselves against the winter snow and frost. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.


2. Consider the following statements regarding Peatlands:

1. Peatlands are wetlands where permanently waterlogged conditions prevent the complete decomposition of dead plant material.
2. Peatlands are highly space-effective carbon stocks and contain more carbon than the entire forest biomass of the world.
3. Peatlands are formed only under tropical climate conditions.

How many of the above statements is/are not correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (A)

Explanation: Peatlands are formed due to the accumulation of partially decomposed plant remains over thousands of years under conditions of water-logging. Peatlands, which play a crucial role in regulating global climate by acting as carbon sinks, are facing degradation. Peatlands (lands with peat at the surface) are highly space-effective carbon stocks: they cover only 3% of the land, but contain more carbon than the entire forest biomass of the world. Peatlands contain 30 per cent of the world’s soil carbon. When drained, these emit greenhouse gases, contributing up to one gigaton of emissions per year through oxidation. Peatlands occur in different climate zones. While in tropical climate, they can occur in mangroves, in Arctic regions, peatlands are dominated by mosses. Some mangrove species are known to develop peatland soils under them. Besides climate mitigation, peatlands are important for archaeology, as they maintain pollen, seeds and human remains for a long time in their acidic and water-logged conditions. In many countries, pristine peatlands are important for recreation activities. These areas also support livelihood in the form of pastoralism. The vegetation growing on pristine peatlands provide different kinds of fibres for construction activities and handicrafts. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.


3. Which of the following are the characteristic of pollutants for Biomagnification to occur?

1. Pollutant must be biologically active.
2. Pollutant must be short-lived.
3. Pollutant must be soluble in fats.

Select the correct answer using code given below:

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Biomagnification refers to the tendency of pollutants to concentrate as they move from one trophic level to the next. Thus in biomagnification there is an increase in concentration of a pollutant from one link in a food chain to another. In order for biomagnification to occur, the pollutant must be: long-lived, mobile, soluble in fats, biologically active. If a pollutant is short-lived, it will be broken down before it can become dangerous. If it is not mobile, it will stay in one place and is unlikely to be taken up by organisms. If the pollutant is soluble in water, it will be excreted by the organism. Pollutants that dissolve in fats, however, may be retained for a long time. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.


4. Consider the following statements regarding Jim Corbett National Park:

1. Jim Corbett National Park was the first to come under the Project Tiger Initiative.
2. Jim Corbett National Park is a national park and tiger reserve that completely encompasses the Shivaliks, near the foothills of the Himalayas.
3. Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) has the highest tiger density in the wild in India.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only Three
(d) None

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Jim Corbett National Park is a national park in India located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand state. The first national park in India, it was established in 1936 during the British Raj. The park was the first to come under the Project Tiger initiative. Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) has reported the highest tiger density among India’s tiger reserves. Rajaji National Park is an Indian national park and tiger reserve that encompasses the Shivaliks, near the foothills of the Himalayas. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.


5. Which of the following National Parks are located in Assam?

1. Nameri National Park
2. Orang National Park
3. Gorumara National Park
4. Manas National Park

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Nameri National Park, Manas National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Orang National Park and Deepor Beel Bird Sanctuary are located in Assam. Gorumara National Park is located in West Bengal.