Environmental Studies · Biology

Biodiversity and Conservation

4,050 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

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 provides for various categories of protected areas. These include

  1. conservation reserves
  2. community reserves
  3. biosphere reserve
  4. tiger reserves

  1. 1 and 2 only

  2. 1 and 3 only

  3. 2 and 3 only

  4. 1, 2 and 4 only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves, community reserves and conservation reserves are backed up by the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. It is important to remember that biosphere reserves are created by merely a notification and they DO NOT require legislation.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is incorrect in reference to Aichi Biodiversity Target strategic plan for the period of 2011 to 2020?

  1. It improves the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversities.

  2. It addresses the underlying cause of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government bodies and societies.

  3. It reduces the rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level.

  4. It reduces the direct pressures on biodiversity and promotes sustainable use.

  5. It enhances the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This target was incorporated as a new target under the Millennium Development Goals by the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the United Nations General Assembly. In April 2002, the parties to the Convention committed themselves to achieve, by 2010, a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is incorrect in reference to Convention on Wetlands?

  1. A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.

  2. WWF International works with Convention to develop new wetland sites.

  3. Criterion for identifying wetlands of international importance includes wetland-dependent non-avian animal species.

  4. Mangrove Jacks are found in abundance in Hope Island.

  5. Kanjli Wetland, Deepor Beel and East Godavari riverine are among the sites of this convention.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Correct Answer: Kanjli Wetland, Deepor Beel and East Godavari riverine are among the sites of this convention.

Multiple choice

With which of the following statements is the author most likely to disagree?

  1. Preservation of wetlands is necessary in the interest of biodiversity and long term survival of humanity.
  2. Tidal wetlands are as prone to human degradation as the inland non-tidal wetlands.
  3. Awareness about the need to protect the wetlands has not filtered across the general populace.

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

Wetlands are indeed the vital link between water and land. It is the collective term for marshes, swamps, and bogs, found along the edges of streams, rivers, lakes and coastlines. Wetlands can be found in nearly every country and climatic zone. Indeed wetlands are found from the Tundra to the Tropics and on every continent. They are so varied. Some are wet all the time. Some wetlands are large and some are very small. Many have been altered by human activities such as farming, building of roads, dams and towns. Wetlands are regarded wastelands sources of mosquitoes, flies, snakes and diseases. People had negative views about them and they eliminated them. Original wetlands have been destroyed; some of them have been converted into farmland, some others filled by industrial wastes.
Wetlands vary widely because of topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry and vegetation. Wetlands are the coastal mangrove forests, lake marshes and seasonally flooded lands along river courses. Palm swamps, sea grass beds, salt flats, and coral reefs are common wetlands. They are of two types: tidal wetlands and non-tidal (inland) wetlands. Tidal wetlands are found along the Atlantic, Pacific, Alaskan and Gulf Coasts. The salt water and fluctuating water levels create a difficult environment. Some plants have adapted to the environment of saline conditions. Inland wetlands are common in the margins of lakes and rivers. They include wet meadows dominated by herbaceous plants, swamps and shrubs and tall trees. The prolonged presence of water favours the growth of specially adapted plants.
States and tribes play a critical role in the protection and management of wetlands. With the growth of education, people have started understanding ecological processes and their attitude towards wetlands have changed. They have recognised the ecological significance of the wetlands; they are a source of valuable natural wealth. They help regulating water levels within watersheds; reduce flood and storm damages; and provide fish and wildlife habitat. They support hunting, fishing and other recreational activities.

Wetlands are the most productive ecosystems in the world. They have been described as biological supermarkets as they provide great volumes of food and attract many animal species. A variety of insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and mammals are found in these wetlands. Many species of birds, animals, rely on wetlands for food, water and shelter. The microbes, insects and wildlife are part of global cycles for water, nitrogen, and sulphur. They store carbon within their plant communities and thus help to moderate climate conditions.

  1. Only 1

  2. Both 1 and 2

  3. Both 2 and 3

  4. Only 3

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The passage emphasises the importance of wetlands. Hence, option (1) is the correct answer. Nowhere does the passage mention that tidal wetlands are less prone to degradation than non-tidal wetlands. Hence, option (2) is also correct. Option (3) is directly contradicted by the first sentence of the third paragraph and hence, is the right statement.

Multiple choice

What are the economic or social benefits that forests provide?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follow:

Forests provide a wide range of goods and services. Goods include timber, fuel wood, as well as food products (berries, mushrooms, etc.) and fodder. As regards important services, forests and trees play a role in the conservation of ecosystems, in maintaining quality of water, and in preventing or reducing the severity of floods, avalanches, erosion, and drought. Forests provide a wide range of economic and social benefits, such as employment, forest products, and protection of sites of cultural value. Forests, like other ecosystems, are affected by climate change. The impact due to climate change may be negative in some areas, and positive in others. However, forests also influence climate and the climate change process mainly by effecting the changes in the quantum of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. They absorb CO2 from atmosphere, and store carbon in wood, leaves, litter, roots and soil by acting as “carbon sinks”.

  1. They play a role in the conservation of ecosystems.

  2. They play a role in maintaining the quality of water.

  3. They play a role in the protection of sites of cultural value.

  4. They act as carbon sinks.

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as the passage informs us that forests provide a wide range of economic and social benefits, such as employment, forest products and protection of sites of cultural value.

Multiple choice

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones', which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  2. The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human activities in those zones except agriculture.

Which of the following is the correct option?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The ESZ does not come under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Even Environment Protection Act, 1986 does not mention the word Ecosensitive Zones. The section 3 (2) (v) of the Act says that Central Government can restrict areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries, operations or processes shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards. Besides the section 5 (1) of this act says that Central Government can prohibit or restrict the location of industries and carrying on certain operations or processes on the basis of considerations like the biological diversity of an area, maximum allowable limits of concentration of pollutants for an area, environmentally compatible land use, and proximity to protected areas. Thus, all kinds of human activities are not restricted.

Multiple choice

If a wetland of international importance is brought under the Montreux Record, what does it imply?

  1. Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference.

  2. The country in which the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit any human activity within five kilometres from the edge of the wetland.

  3. The survival of the wetland depends on the cultural practices and traditions of certain communities living in its vicinity and therefore the cultural diversity therein should not be destroyed.

  4. It is given the status of a World Heritage Site.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference.

Multiple choice

CITES is an international organisation working for

  1. protection of monuments

  2. promotion of literacy

  3. availability of affordable medicines in poor countries

  4. conservation of wildlife

  5. trade and commerce
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A proposal to ban the export of Atlantic bluefin tuna was rejected at the 175-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Doha, Qatar on March 18, 2010. Monaco introduced the proposal arguing that extreme measures for the iconic, migratory fish were necessary because the stocks have fallen by 75 per cent due to widespread overfishing. A US-backed proposal to ban the international trade of polar bear skins, teeth and claws was also rejected at the Convention. CITES, with 175 member countries, limits or prohibits international trade in endangered and threatened plants and animals. This was the first CITES Conference of the Parties to be held in the Middle East.

Multiple choice

National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries are established for the purpose of

  1. preservation of wildlife

  2. conservation of wildlife

  3. destruction of wildlife

  4. hunting and killing animals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Wildlife conservation  is the science of analyzing and protecting the Earth's biological diversity, which is the variation of life forms within a given ecosystem.Biodiversity on the Earth today consists of many millions of distinct biological species. Wildlife conservation is the process of individuals and organization to protect and preserves these species through conservation education, preservation of habitat and management of fish and wildlife.

Multiple choice

Who is a Wildlife conservationists?

  1. One who studies plants and animals

  2. An Ecologist

  3. A geologist

  4. A zoologist
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

An ecologist is a person who studies the relation between organisms and their environment and aims to conserve the ecology.  

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.