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Environment & Ecology

385 questions asked in UPSC Prelims.

2011 · Q76Environment & EcologyWater & Wetland Conservationeasy

The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge?

  1. (a)The mangrove swamps separate the human settlements from the sea by a wide zone in which people neither live nor venture out
  2. (b)The mangroves provide both food and medicines which people are in need of after any natural disaster
  3. (c)The mangrove trees are tall with dense canopies and serve as an excellent shelter during a cyclone or tsunami
  4. (d)The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots
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Official answer(d) The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots

2011 · Q79Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationmoderate

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:

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

2010 · Q4Environment & EcologyEcosystems & Ecology Conceptsmoderate

A new type of El Nino called El Nino Modoki appeared in the news. In this context, consider the following statements: 1. Normal El Nino forms in the Central Pacific ocean whereas El Nino Modoki forms in Eastern Pacific ocean. 2. Normal El Nino results in diminished hurricanes in the Atlantic ocean but El Nino Modoki results in a greater number of hurricanes with greater frequency. 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(b) 2 only

2010 · Q56Environment & EcologyInternational Environmental Treaties & Summitseasy

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty drawn at

  1. (a)United Nations’ Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm, 1972
  2. (b)UN Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 1992
  3. (c)World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, 2002
  4. (d)UN Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen, 2009
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Official answer(b) UN Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 1992

2010 · Q59Environment & EcologyInternational Environmental Treaties & Summitsmoderate

India is a party to the Ramsar Convention and has declared many areas as Ramsar Sites. Which of the following statements best describes how we should maintain these sites in the context of this Convention?

  1. (a)Keep all the sites completely inaccessible to man so that they will not be exploited.
  2. (b)Conserve all the sites through ecosystem approach and permit tourism and recreation only.
  3. (c)Conserve all the sites through ecosystem approach for a period without any exploitation, with specific criteria and specific period for each site, and then allow sustainable use of them by future generations.
  4. (d)Conserve all the sites through ecosystem approach and allow their simultaneous sustainable use.
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Official answer(d) Conserve all the sites through ecosystem approach and allow their simultaneous sustainable use.

2010 · Q60Environment & EcologyRenewable Energy & Green Technologiesmoderate

Other than Jatropha curcas, why is Pongamia pinnata also considered a good option for the production of bio-diesel in India? 1. Pongamia pinnata grows naturally in most of the arid regions of India. 2. The seeds of Pongamia pinnata are rich in lipid content of which nearly half is oleic acid. 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(c) Both 1 and 2

2010 · Q61Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gasesmoderate

Due to their extensive rice cultivation, some regions may be contributing to global warming. To what possible reason/reasons is this attributable? 1. The anaerobic conditions associated with rice cultivation cause the emission of methane. 2. When nitrogen based fertilizers are used, nitrous oxide is emitted from the cultivated soil. 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

2010 · Q62Environment & EcologyEnvironmental Governance & Legislationmoderate

Sustainable development is described as the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In this perspective, inherently the concept of sustainable development is intertwined with which of the following concepts ?

  1. (a)Social justice and empowerment
  2. (b)Inclusive Growth
  3. (c)Globalization
  4. (d)Carrying capacity
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Official answer(d) Carrying capacity

2010 · Q65Environment & EcologyEcosystems & Ecology Conceptseasy

Some species of plants are insectivorous. Why ?

  1. (a)Their growth in shady and dark places does not allow them to undertake sufficient photosynthesis and thus they depend on insects for nutrition.
  2. (b)They are adapted to grow in nitrogen deficient soils and thus depend on insects for sufficient nitrogenous nutrition.
  3. (c)They cannot synthesize certain vitamins themselves and depend on the insects digested by them.
  4. (d)They have remained in that particular stage of evolution as living fossils, a link between autotrophs and heterotrophs.
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Official answer(b) They are adapted to grow in nitrogen deficient soils and thus depend on insects for sufficient nitrogenous nutrition.

2010 · Q103Environment & EcologyEcosystems & Ecology Conceptseasy

King Cobra is the only snake that makes its own nest. Why does it make its nest?

  1. (a)It is a snake-eater and the nest helps attract other snakes
  2. (b)It is a viviparous snake and needs a nest to give birth to its offspring
  3. (c)It is an oviparous snake and lays its eggs in the nest and guards the nest until they are hatched
  4. (d)It is a large, cold blooded animal, and needs a nest to hibernate in the cold season
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Official answer(c) It is an oviparous snake and lays its eggs in the nest and guards the nest until they are hatched

2010 · Q104Environment & EcologyEnvironmental Governance & Legislationmoderate

As a result of their annual survey, the National Geographic Society and an international polling firm GlobeScan gave India top rank in Greendex 2009 score. What is this score?

  1. (a)It is a measure of efforts made by different countries in adopting technologies for reducing carbon footprint
  2. (b)It is a measure of environmentally sustainable consumer behaviour in different countries
  3. (c)It is an assessment of programmes/schemes undertaken by different countries for improving the conservation of natural resources
  4. (d)It is an index showing the volume of carbon credits sold by different countries
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Official answer(b) It is a measure of environmentally sustainable consumer behaviour in different countries