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Environment & Ecology

385 questions asked in UPSC Prelims.

2012 · Q46Environment & EcologyWater & Wetland Conservationmoderate

With reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements : 1. The country's total geographical area under the category of wetlands is recorded more in Gujarat as compared to other States. 2. In India, the total geographical area of coastal wetlands is larger than that of inland wetlands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(a) 1 only

2012 · Q50Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gasesmoderate

The acidification of oceans is increasing. Why is this phenomenon a cause of concern? 1. The growth and survival of calcareous phytoplankton will be adversely affected. 2. The growth and survival of coral reefs will be adversely affected. 3. The survival of some animals that have phytoplanktonic larvae will be adversely affected. 4. The cloud seeding and formation of clouds will be adversely affected. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1, 2 and 3 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

2012 · Q92Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationmoderate

Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?

  1. (a)Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass
  2. (b)Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard
  3. (c)Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)
  4. (d)Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal
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Official answer(a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass

2012 · Q95Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationmoderate

What is the difference between the antelopes Oryx and Chiru?

  1. (a)Oryx is adapted to live in hot and arid areas whereas Chiru is adapted to live in steppes and semi-desert areas of cold high mountains
  2. (b)Oryx is poached for its antlers whereas Chiru is poached for its musk
  3. (c)Oryx exists in western India only whereas Chiru exists in north-east India only
  4. (d)None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct
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Official answer(a) Oryx is adapted to live in hot and arid areas whereas Chiru is adapted to live in steppes and semi-desert areas of cold high mountains

2012 · Q100Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationeasy

Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to

  1. (a)the destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species
  2. (b)a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle
  3. (c)scarcity of food available to them
  4. (d)a widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them
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Official answer(b) a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle

2011 · Q1Environment & EcologyRenewable Energy & Green Technologiesmoderate

In the Union Budget 2011-12, a full exemption from the basic customs duty was extended to the bio-based asphalt (bioasphalt). What is the importance of this material? 1. Unlike traditional asphalt, bio-asphalt is not based on fossil fuels. 2. Bioasphalt can be made from non-renewable resources. 3. Bioasphalt can be made from organic waste materials. 4. It is eco-friendly to use bioasphalt for surfacing of the roads. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. (a)1, 2 and 3 only
  2. (b)1, 3 and 4 only
  3. (c)2 and 4 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
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Official answer(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

2011 · Q9Environment & EcologyPollution & Waste Managementmoderate

The formation of ozone hole in the Antarctic region has been a cause of concern. What could be the reason for the formation of this hole?

  1. (a)Presence of prominent tropospheric turbulence; and inflow of chlorofluorocarbons
  2. (b)Presence of prominent polar front and stratospheric clouds; and inflow of chlorofluorocarbons
  3. (c)Absence of polar front and stratospheric clouds; and inflow of methane and chlorofluorocarbons
  4. (d)Increased temperature at polar region due to global warming
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Official answer(b) Presence of prominent polar front and stratospheric clouds; and inflow of chlorofluorocarbons

2011 · Q12Environment & EcologyProtected Areas & Wildlifemoderate

Two important rivers – one with its source in Jharkhand (and known by a different name in Odisha), and another, with its source in Odisha – merge at a place only a short distance from the coast of Bay of Bengal before flowing into the sea. This is an important site of wildlife and biodiversity and a protected area. Which one of the following could be this?

  1. (a)Bhitarkanika
  2. (b)Chandipur-on-sea
  3. (c)Gopalpur-on-sea
  4. (d)Simlipal
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Official answer(a) Bhitarkanika

2011 · Q15Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gasesmoderate

Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct?

  1. (a)The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol
  2. (b)Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gases below their emission quota
  3. (c)The goal of the carbon credit system is to limit the increase of carbon dioxide emission
  4. (d)Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations Environment Programme
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Official answer(d) Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations Environment Programme

2011 · Q20Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationmoderate

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. 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?

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

2011 · Q21Environment & EcologyBiogeochemical Cycles & Earth Systemsmoderate

Human activities in the recent past have caused the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but a lot of it does not remain in the lower atmosphere because of 1. Its escape into the outer stratosphere, 2. The photosynthesis by phytoplankton in the oceans, 3. The trapping of air in the polar ice caps. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 and 2
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)2 and 3
  4. (d)3 only
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Official answer(b) 2 only

2011 · Q24Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationeasy

The Himalayan Range is very rich in species diversity. Which one among the following is the most appropriate reason for this phenomenon?

  1. (a)It has a high rainfall that supports luxuriant vegetative growth
  2. (b)It is a confluence of different bio-geographical zones
  3. (c)Exotic and invasive species have not been introduced in this region
  4. (d)It has less human interference
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Official answer(b) It is a confluence of different bio-geographical zones

2011 · Q25Environment & EcologyEnvironmental Governance & Legislationmoderate

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?

  1. (a)1 and 3 only
  2. (b)2, 3 and 4 only
  3. (c)1, 2, 3 and 4
  4. (d)None of the above Acts
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Official answer(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4