Environmental Studies · Biology

Biodiversity and Conservation

3,944 Questions

Biodiversity and conservation focus on protecting species, maintaining natural habitats, and managing ecological balance. It covers essential themes like wildlife corridors, marine ecosystems, and genetic diversity. This topic is heavily tested in environmental studies sections across multiple competitive exams.

Ecosystem conservationWildlife sanctuariesEndangered species managementGenetic diversityEnvironmental ethics

Biodiversity and Conservation Questions

Multiple choice

In the modern era, efforts of biodiversity conservation are based on

  1. genetic diversity

  2. species diversity

  3. ecosystem diversity

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Modern biodiversity conservation recognizes diversity at all levels: genetic (within species), species (between species), and ecosystem (across habitats). All three levels are interconnected and essential for comprehensive conservation efforts.

Multiple choice

What is the primary reason for targeting 'biodiversity hotspots' for conservation?

  1. They are the only areas where species are seriously threatened in the world.

  2. The number of species threatened far exceeds our capacity to protect them and we can, therefore, only concentrate on areas of highest species diversity.

  3. Protecting all areas of threatened species would not allow for new species to develop.

  4. They are areas where people do not live and conservation would, therefore, not be affecting the economic development of the area.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Primary reason for targeting 'biodiversity hotspots' for conservation is the number of species threatened far exceeds our capacity to protect them and we can, therefore, only concentrate on areas of highest species diversity. The biodiversity hotspots hold especially high numbers of endemic species, yet their combined area of remaining habitat covers only 2.3 percent of the Earth's land surface. Each hotspot faces extreme threats and has already lost at least 70 percent of its original natural vegetation. Over 50 percent of the world's plant species and 42 percent of all terrestrial vertebrate species are endemic to the 34 biodiversity hotspots. 

Multiple choice

Kwongan heathlands found in Australia are important from an ecological point of view because

  1. they are recognised to have one of the highest percentages of endemic plants

  2. they are one of the world’s most productive mangrove forests

  3. they are the dwelling of the highest number of endangered fauna

  4. they serve as the model of unique and successful conservation efforts
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Kwongan is a type of heathland found on the coastal plains of Western Australia. Kwongan comprises floristically-rich heath with dense thickets of sclerophyllous shrubs and isolated small trees. It is characterised by nutrient-poor sandy soils, frequent wildfire, a very high level of endemism, spectacular displays of wildflowers in spring, and a Mediterranean climate with winter rainfall and hot, dry summers.

Multiple choice

Match the following items given in two columns, column-I and column-II:
Column-I Column-II

  1. Ex-situ conservation A. Regions with high endemism and rich in level of species.
  2. Gene bank B. Threatened species are conserved in their natural habitat.
  3. Hot spot C. Collection of known wild and domestic species in zoological park, safari, wild life and botanical garden.
  4. In-situ conservation D. Threatened species are move on to special preservation from their natural habitat.
  5. Offsite collection E. An institute that keep group of feasible seeds, live developing plants, tissue cultivation and chilled germplasm having maximum genetic variability.

  1. 1 - A, 2 - B, 3 - C, 4 - D, 5 - E

  2. 1 - C, 2 - D, 3 - A, 4 - E, 5 - B

  3. 1 - D, 2 - E, 3 - A, 4 - B, 5 - C

  4. 1 - C, 2 - B, 3 - C, 4 - E, 5 - A

  5. 1 - D, 2 - D, 3 - A, 4 - E, 5 - B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In Ex-situ conservation, threatened species are actually move on to special preservation from their natural habitat. Gene bank is an institute that keep group of feasible seeds, live developing plants, tissue cultivation and chilled germplasm having maximum genetic variability. Hot spot is a region with high endemism and  rich in level of species. In-situ conservation threatened species are conserved in their natural habitat in order to conserve the entire ecosystem. Offsite collection is the collection of known wild and domestic species from zoological park, safari, wild life and  botanical garden.

Multiple choice

In respect of sanctuaries, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. Causing fire in sanctuaries is prohibited.

  2. Use of injurious substances in sanctuaries is prohibited.

  3. Entry with weapon in sanctuaries is prohibited.

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Section 30 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 states that no person shall set fire to a sanctuary, or kindle any fire, or leave any fire burning in a sanctuary, in such manner as to endanger such a sanctuary, and section 31 of the act also states that "No person shall enter a sanctuary with any weapon except with the previous permission in writing of the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer".

Multiple choice

Keystone species deserve protection because these

  1. are capable of surviving in harsh environmental conditions

  2. indicate the presence of certain minerals in the soil

  3. have become rare due to over exploitation

  4. play an important role in supporting other species
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A keystone species is a species whose very presence contributes to a diversity of life and whose extinction would consequently lead to the extinction of other forms of life. Keystone species help to support the ecosystem (entire community of life) of which they are a part. 

Multiple choice

Wildlife should be preserved

  1. for its beauty

  2. for the dairy products we get from it

  3. for keeping them in zoos so that children can see them

  4. to maintain an ecological balance
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Wildlife helps in maintaining ecological balance.The different organisms have their unique positions in food chains &  food webs which keep ecological balance maintained. Wild life also contributes to the maintenance of material cycles such as carbon and nitrogen cycles in the nature.

 

Multiple choice

Why does the author compare nature to business?

Nature is like business. Business sense dictates that we guard our capital and live from the interest. Nature’s capital is the enormous diversity of the living things. Without it, we cannot free ourselves of illness or provide industry with the raw materials for wealth creation . Professor Edward Wilson, of Harvard university says, “The folly our descendants are least likely to forgive us is the ongoing loss of genetic & species diversity. This will take millions of years to correct” Only 150 plant species have ever been widely cultivated. Yet over 75,000 edible plants are known in the wild. In a hungry world, with a population growing by 90 million each year, so much wasted potential is tragic. Medicines from the wild are worth around 40 billions dollar a year. Over 5000 species are known to yield chemical with cancer fighting potential. Scientist currently estimate that total number of species in the world is between 10 – 3 0 million with only around 1.4 million identified .The web of life is torn when mankind exploits natural resources in short – sighted ways . The trade in tropical hardwoods can destroy whole forest to extract just a few commercially attractive specimens. Bad agricultural practice triggers 24 billion tones of top soil erosion a year losing the equivalent of 9 million tones of grain output. Cutting this kind of unsuitable exploitation & instituting “sustainable utilization “will help turn the environmental crisis around.

  1. Because of capital depletion in nature & business.

  2. Because of similarity with which one should use both.

  3. Because of same interest level yield.

  4. Because of the diversity of the various capital inputs.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

 Business sense dictates that we guard our capital and live from the interest, likewise Nature should also be protected.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

a. In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers are fighting for their right to mining against the Indian Wildlife Act. b. The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have declared 1,200 hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav Sanctuary. c. JFM depends on the formation of local (village) institutions that undertake protection activities mostly on degraded forest land managed by the forest department.

  1. a only

  2. b only

  3. c only

  4. b and c

  5. a, b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as both these statements are correct.

Multiple choice

Coral reefs are made up of

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

Coral reefs are one of Earth’s most beautiful, ancient and complex ecosystems. They play an essential role in sustaining life in the sea and serve as a source of food and protection for human communities. But, coral reefs face an uncertain future. As a result of growing human and environmental assaults, reefs are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. Ecological research provides information that is  fundamental to understanding and combating this trend. Corals are actually animals with plants living inside them. A coral structure is actually composed of hundreds or thousands of tiny animals growing together as a colony. Several polyps make a coral, which together form a reef.
Coral reefs are the most diverse and productive marine communities on the planet. They play a critical role as habitat and nursery grounds for 10 to 20% of the world’s fisheries. They are intimately connected to other marine communities such as mangrove forests, sea grass beds, and the open seas as water currents transport larvae, plants, animals, nutrients and organic materials. They play a significant role in the development of other ecosystems, such as mangroves and wetlands, and protect coastlines from waves, storm damage and erosion.

  1. tiny plants

  2. animals

  3. plants with animals living inside them

  4. animals with plants living inside them
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The sixth sentence of the passage gives the answer. Corals are animals with plants living inside them.

Multiple choice

The phrase ‘combating this trend’ refers to

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

Coral reefs are one of Earth’s most beautiful, ancient and complex ecosystems. They play an essential role in sustaining life in the sea and serve as a source of food and protection for human communities. But, coral reefs face an uncertain future. As a result of growing human and environmental assaults, reefs are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. Ecological research provides information that is  fundamental to understanding and combating this trend. Corals are actually animals with plants living inside them. A coral structure is actually composed of hundreds or thousands of tiny animals growing together as a colony. Several polyps make a coral, which together form a reef.
Coral reefs are the most diverse and productive marine communities on the planet. They play a critical role as habitat and nursery grounds for 10 to 20% of the world’s fisheries. They are intimately connected to other marine communities such as mangrove forests, sea grass beds, and the open seas as water currents transport larvae, plants, animals, nutrients and organic materials. They play a significant role in the development of other ecosystems, such as mangroves and wetlands, and protect coastlines from waves, storm damage and erosion.

  1. loss of habitat of coral reefs to fisheries

  2. role of coral reefs in developing other communities

  3. human and ecological assaults on coral reefs

  4. uncertain future of coral reefs
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The trend refers to the uncertain future of coral reefs due to human and ecological assaults. The third and fourth sentences of the passage refer to this.

Multiple choice

Nature is the most generous supplier of nourishment and guidance to us as humans. We are often advised to be in harmony with nature, and to achieve that, following measures are advised: Get outside; take a nature walk. Read books about nature. Grow more plants. Shut televisions. Submerge in nature; meditate. Pick up litter. Reuse, recycle and reduce. All the above mentioned measures can be categorised under the following three headings except:

  1. Be dutiful

  2. Conserve

  3. Be thankful

  4. Give back
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Nothing related to being thankful is mentioned.

Multiple choice

Lion habitats are almost extinct in the country. Even keeping this fact in mind, the most sensible strategy would be to desist from re-introducing lions in habitats where they have once been poached to death. Trying to bring lions back to habitats where they are likely to encounter a killer human contact is sinful.

The argument above depends on

  1. an appeal to human morality

  2. a belief that lions are dangerous to human beings and human beings are dangerous to lions

  3. the assumption that lion habitats can be established at will

  4. the assumption that future would unfold exactly the same way as the past did

  5. a covert threat to those presenting the opposing point of view
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The question is assuming that since lions have been poached to death in the past, they will face a similar fate in the future. The assumption being that whatever has happened once in the past will repeat itself in the future. Hence (4)