UPSC 2015 Environment & Ecology Previous Year Questions

Question 1

Which one of the following is the best description of the term 'ecosystem'?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. A community of organisms interacting with one another | That part of the Earth which is inhabited by living organisms | A community of organisms together with the environment in which they live | The flora and fauna of a geographical area. An ecosystem consists of a community of organisms together with the physical environment in which they live and interact.

Question 2

'Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action', often seen in the news, is:

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. a strategy to tackle the regional terrorism, an outcome of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization | a plan of action for sustainable economic growth in the Asia-Pacific Region, an outcome of the deliberations of the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum | an agenda for women's empowerment, an outcome of a World Conference convened by the United Nations | a strategy to combat wildlife trafficking, a declaration of the East Asia Summit. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for

Question 3

In India, in which one of the following types of forests is teak a dominant tree species?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Tropical moist deciduous forest | Tropical rain forest | Tropical thorn scrub forest | Temperate forest with grasslands. Teak is a dominant species in tropical moist deciduous forests in India.

Question 4

With reference to an organization known as 'BirdLife International', which of the following statements is/are correct? 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.

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 1 only | 2 and 3 only | 1 and 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. BirdLife International is a global partnership of conservation organizations and identifies Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas. The biodiversity hotspots concept was proposed by Norman Myers, not originated by BirdLife.

Question 5

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 | Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 | Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 | Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee operates under rules framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Question 6

Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Bretton Woods Conference | Montreal Protocol | Kyoto Protocol | Nagoya Protocol. The Montreal Protocol deals with control and phase-out of ozone-depleting substances.

Question 7

Which one of the following regions of India has a combination of mangrove forest, evergreen forest and deciduous forest?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. North Coastal Andhra Pradesh | South-West Bengal | Southern Saurashtra | Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have mangrove forests, tropical evergreen forests and deciduous forest patches, making them the correct combination.

Question 8

Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Saltwater crocodile | Olive ridley turtle | Gangetic dolphin | Gharial. The Gangetic river dolphin is India's national aquatic animal.

Question 9

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? 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.

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 1 only | 2 and 3 only | 1 and 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. IUCN is not an organ of the United Nations, though it works globally. It runs field projects, and CITES is a legally binding agreement among governments that requires implementation through national laws.

Question 10

What can be the impact of excessive/ inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture? 1. Proliferation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in soil can occur. 2. Increase in the acidity of soil can take place. 3. Leaching of nitrate to the ground-water can occur. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 1 and 3 only | 2 only | 2 and 3 only | 1, 2 and 3. Excess nitrogenous fertilizer can acidify soil and nitrates can leach into groundwater. It does not cause proliferation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, since external nitrogen often reduces the need for biological fixation.

UPSC 2015 Environment & Ecology PYQs with Answers