UPSC 2011 Environment & Ecology Previous Year Questions

Question 1

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:

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 1 and 3 | 2 only | 2 and 3 | 3 only. IUCN Red Data Books list species according to threat status, especially threatened plant and animal species. They are not general lists of hotspots or protected sites.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Biosphere Reserve | Botanical Garden | National Park | Wildlife Sanctuary. In-situ conservation protects species in their natural habitats, such as biosphere reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Botanical gardens are ex-situ conservation sites.

Question 3

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.

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1, 2 and 3 only | 2, 3 and 4 only | 1 and 4 only | 1, 2, 3 and 4. Biodiversity supports ecosystem services such as soil formation, erosion control, decomposition/recycling of wastes and pollination. These services directly support human existence and agriculture.

Question 4

A sandy and saline area is the natural habitat of an Indian animal species. The animal has no predators in that area but its existence is threatened due to the destruction of its habitat. Which one of the following could be that animal?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Indian wild buffalo | Indian wild ass | Indian wild boar | Indian gazelle. The Indian wild ass inhabits the saline desert and rann ecosystem of Kachchh, especially the Little Rann. Its main threat is habitat disturbance rather than natural predation in that habitat.

Question 5

Consider the following: 1. Photosynthesis 2. Respiration 3. Decay of organic matter 4. Volcanic action Which of the above add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 1 and 4 only | 2 and 3 only | 2, 3 and 4 only | 1, 2, 3 and 4. Respiration, decomposition and volcanic activity release carbon dioxide. Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, so it does not add CO2 to the cycle in this context.

Question 6

There is a concern over the increase in harmful algal blooms in the seawaters of India. What could be the causative factors for this phenomenon? 1. Discharge of nutrients from the estuaries. 2. Run-off from the land during the monsoon. 3. Upwelling in the seas. Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 1 only | 1 and 2 only | 2 and 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. Algal blooms are promoted by nutrient enrichment from estuaries and land runoff. Upwelling can also bring nutrients to surface waters, so all three can contribute.

Question 7

With reference to India, consider the following Central Acts: 1. Import and Export (Control) Act, 1947. 2. Mining and Mineral Development (Regulation) Act, 1957. 3. Customs Act, 1962. 4. Indian Forest Act, 1927. Which of the above Acts have relevance to/bearing on the biodiversity conservation in the country?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 1 and 3 only | 2, 3 and 4 only | 1, 2, 3 and 4 | None of the above Acts. Trade control, mining regulation, customs controls and forest law can all affect biodiversity conservation by regulating import/export of biological material, habitat disturbance, illegal wildlife trade and forest protection.

Question 8

If a tropical rain forest is removed, it does not regenerate quickly as compared to a tropical deciduous forest. This is because

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. the soil of rain forest is deficient in nutrients | propagules of the trees in a rain forest have poor viability | the rain forest species are slow-growing | exotic species invade the fertile soil of rain forest. Tropical rainforest nutrients are mostly locked in biomass and rapidly recycled; the soil itself is often leached and nutrient-poor. Once forest cover is removed, regeneration is slow compared with deciduous forests.

Question 9

In the context of ecosystem productivity, marine upwelling zones are important as they increase the marine productivity by bringing the 1. decomposer microorganisms to the surface. 2. nutrients to the surface. 3. bottom-dwelling organisms to the surface. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 1 and 2 | 2 only | 2 and 3 | 3 only. Upwelling brings cold, nutrient-rich deep water to the sunlit surface, supporting plankton growth and fisheries. It is the nutrients, not decomposers or bottom-dwelling organisms as such, that directly explain higher productivity.

Question 10

Three of the following criteria have contributed to the recognition of Western Ghats-Sri Lanka and Indo-Burma regions as hotspots of biodiversity: 1. Species richness 2. Vegetation density 3. Endemism 4. Ethnobotanical 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?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 1. 2 and 6 | 2, 4 and 6 | 1. 3 and 5 | 3, 4 and 6. Biodiversity hotspots are identified mainly by exceptional species richness, high endemism and serious threat or habitat loss. Vegetation density, ethnobotanical importance and climatic adaptation are not the defining hotspot criteria.

UPSC 2011 Environment & Ecology PYQs with Answers