Tag: biodiversity loss and need for conservation

Questions Related to biodiversity loss and need for conservation

What factors lead to decline in biodiversity? 

  1. Acid rain

  2. Pollution

  3. Population

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The major causes of biodiversity decline are land use changes, pollution, changes in atmospheric CO$ _2$ concentrations, changes in the nitrogen cycle and acid rain, climate alterations and the introduction of exotic species, all coincident to human population growth. The geometric rise in human population levels during the twentieth century is the fundamental cause of the loss of biodiversity. It exacerbates every other factor having an impact on rainforests. It has led to an unceasing search for more arable land for food production and livestock grazing, and for wood for fuel, construction, and energy. 

Which of the following is/are factors that pose a great threat to biodiversity?

  1. Habitat destruction

  2. Disturbance and introduction of alien species

  3. Man's interference with nature

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Biodiversity refers to the variety of organisms in an ecosystem. However, the biodiversity of an ecosystem is lost when there is fragmentation of the habitat or invasion by any alien species. The interference of the man with the nature and exploitation of its resources can result in the loss of the biodiversity. 

Thus, the correct answer is option D. 

Which of the following type of animal is chiefly protected by man?

  1. Harmless animals

  2. Economically useful animals

  3. Extinct animals

  4. Feeble animals


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Man makes special efforts to conserve the animals, which are likely to become extinct without special efforts of man to conserve biodiversity and animals are a part of biodiversity. 

Thus, the correct answer is option C

What is the major cause of diminishing wildlife number?

  1. Cannibalism

  2. Habitat destruction

  3. Falling of trees

  4. Paucity of drinking water


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Habitat loss and fragmentation (habitat destruction) are the most important causes for driving animals and plants to extinction. 

The most dramatic examples of habitat loss come from tropical rainforests. Once covering more than 14 percent of the Earth's land surface, these rainforests now cover no more than 6 percent. They are being destroyed fast. Besides the total loss, the degradation of many habitats by pollution also threatens the survival of many species. When large habitats are broken up into small fragments due to various human activities, mammals and birds requiring large territories and certain animals with migratory habits are badly affected, leading to population declines.

What is mainly responsible for extinction of wildlife?

  1. Hunting for flesh

  2. Destruction of habitats

  3. Pollution of air and water

  4. All the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Hunting for flesh & skin, destruction of habitats by deforestation & polluted air & water leads to extinction of wildlife.

So, the correct answer is 'All the above'

Wildlife is destroyed most when

  1. There is lack of proper care

  2. Mass scale hunting for foreign trade

  3. Its natural habitat is destroyed

  4. Natural calamity


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

When there are no more individuals of a species (plant or animal) alive anywhere in the world, the species is said to be extinct. Extinction is also known as the process of dying out. The process is a completely natural part of evolution. But sometimes extinctions happen at a higher and a faster rate than usual. Factors such as large body size, small population, massive habitat loss and position at a higher trophic level favor extinction

So, the correct answer is 'Its natural habitat is destroyed'

One of the chief reasons among the following for the depletion in the number of species making it endangered is

  1. Greenhouse effect

  2. Habitat destruction

  3. Overhunting and poaching

  4. Competition and predation


Correct Option: B
Explanation:
Jarod Diamond in 1984 listed four chief mechanisms for the loss of biodiversity. It was known as the 'Evil quartet'. It was also known as ‘four horsemen of the ecological apocalypse. The four mechanisms were:-
a) overhunting (or overexploitation),
b) introduced species,
c) habitat destruction and
d) chains of linked extinctions (trophic cascades, or co-extinctions).
So, the correct answer is 'Habitat destruction'.

Which of the following is correctly matched?

  1. Stratification- Population

  2. Aerenchyma- Opuntia

  3. Age pyramid- Biome

  4. Parthenium- Threat to biodiversity


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Parthenium or carrot grass is an alien species. When alien species are introduced unintentionally or deliberately for whatever purpose, some of them turn invasive and cause decline or extinction of indigenous species. Such species are also called exotic or introduced species. Thus, Parthenium is a threat to biodiversity as it competes with our local species for the limited resources. So, the correct answer is 'Parthenium- Threat to biodiversity'.

Number of wild life is continuously decreasing.What is the main reason of this : -

  1. Predation

  2. Cutting down of forest

  3. Destruction of habitat

  4. Hunting


Correct Option: C
Explanation:
Wildlife refers to all living organisms (terrestrial, aquatic and aerial) living in all possible natural habitats of their own, other than the cultivated plants and domesticated animals. Thus 'wildlife' does not exist only in jungles and are hunted down but wildlife includes even the migrating birds, turtles, coral reefs, microorganisms, insects, fishes, etc. Several hundred organisms are endangered or on the verge of extinction. The reasons are deforestation, pollution, killing, overexploitation etc. The most important among them is deforestation or destruction of their natural habitat because it will affect the species (flora and fauna) of the complete area and not only a few organisms. The natural habitat may be destroyed by man for his settlements, grazing grounds, agriculture, mining, industries, dam building, etc. As a consequence of this, the species must adapt to the changes, move elsewhere or may succumb to predation, starvation or disease, and eventually dies.

So, the correct answer is 'Destruction of habitat'.

Wildlife population are decreasing due to _________

  1. Afforestation

  2. Loss of minerals

  3. Poaching

  4. Loss of sunlight


Correct Option: C
Explanation:
  • Poaching has been defined as illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals, usually associated with land use rights. 
  • According to Encyclopædia Britannica, poaching was performed by impoverished peasants for subsistence purposes and a supplement for meagre diets.
  •  Hence, Wildlife population are decreasing due to Poaching.
  • So, the correct answer is 'Poaching'.