Environment & Biodiversity MCQs
Environment, Ecology & Biodiversity Multiple choice questions for GK paper in SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations.
1. Indian Flying Fox is a __:
[A] Mammal
[B] Reptile
[C] Amphibian
[D] Bird
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Mammal ]
Notes:
Flying Fox is a bat which is found in tropical forests and swamps, near bodies of water all over India.
2. The Mathikettan Shola National Park (MSNS) is located in which state?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Odisha
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kerala ]
Notes:
The Mathikettan Shola National Park (MSNS) is located in Poopara village of Udumbanchola taluk in Idukki district of Kerala and covers an area of 12.82 square kilometres. It is notified as a national park to protect the wildlife and rich biodiversity of the area. It is home to beautiful and rare animals like panthers, wild elephants, spotted deer, Nilgiri tahrs and giant grizzled squirrels, etc. Among reptiles, species like rat snakes, crocodiles, vipers, cobras, turtles, lizards and pythons inhabit the park.
3. In which of the following ecosystems, the pyramid of biomass is ‘inverted’ in shape?
[A] Pond ecosystem
[B] Grassland ecosystem
[C] Forest ecosystem
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Pond ecosystem ]
Notes:
Biomass is the amount of living material in an organism. The pyramids of biomass represent the relationship between different trophic levels in terms of biomass. In grassland and forest ecosystems, there is generally a gradual decrease in biomass of organisms at successive trophic levels from the producers to the consumers. Their pyramid of biomass is upright. In aquatic ecosystem the producers are small organisms with least biomass and the biomass gradually increase towards the apex of the pyramid. Thus the pyramid of biomass of aquatic ecosystems is inverted in shape.
4. Who among the following chairs the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) in India?
[A] Prime Minister
[B] Minister of Environment & Forest
[C] Environment Secretary
[D] A renowned environmentalist of the country
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Prime Minister]
Notes:
National Board for Wild Life is a “Statutory Organization” constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Theoretically, the board is “advisory” in nature and advises the Central Government on framing policies and measures for conservation of wildlife in the country. However, it is a very important body because it serves as apex body to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries. It is chaired by India’s Prime Minister and its vice chairman is Minister of Environment.
5. Which among the following is a wildlife trade monitoring network?
[A] DISS
[B] PETA
[C] UN- HABITAT
[D] TRAFFIC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [TRAFFIC]
Notes:
TRAFFIC was founded in 1976. Its headquarters are located in Cambridge, United Kingdom, DISS (Disability Information Services) is located in UK, PETA is People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals not related to wildlife, UN-HABITAT is United Nations Human Settlements Programme.
6. The Siberian Crane, an endangered migratory bird is a regular visitor of which of the following national park/bird sanctuaries:
[A] Ranganathittu bird sanctuary
[B] Keoladeo national park
[C] Vedanthangal bird sanctuary
[D] Sultanpur bird sanctuary
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Keoladeo national park]
Notes:
Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, Rajasthan is a famous avifauna sanctuary that plays host to thousands of birds especially during the winter season.
It is also a declared World Heritage Site. The Sanctuary is one of the richest bird areas in the world. It is known for nesting of its resident birds and visiting migratory birds including water birds. The rare Siberian cranes visit the place in winter season.
7. Which among the following multilateral environment agreements (MEAs) is not correctly paired with the respective issue it deals with ?
[A] Montreal Protocol of 1987 – Ozone Depleting Substances.
[B] Bonn Convention of 1979 – The conservation of Migratory Species
[C] Basel Convention of 1989 – Regulation of transboundary movement,transit, handling and use of Living Modified Organisms.
[D] Rotterdam Convention of 1998 – Consensual International Trade in certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Basel Convention of 1989 – Regulation of transboundary movement,transit, handling and use of Living Modified Organisms.]
Notes:
The Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, usually known simply as the Basel Convention, is an international treaty that was designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations, and specifically to prevent transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries (LDCs). It does not, however, address the movement of radioactive waste.
8. Plantation of which of the following trees can help to prevent forest fires in the Himalayan region?
[A] Mahua
[B] Rhododendron
[C] Chir pine
[D] Tendu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Rhododendron ]
Notes:
Plantation of trees like Banj oak, Myrica, Alder & Rhododendron in between the Chir pine trees can help to prevent forest fires in the Himalayan region. Chir pine are the main reason for forest fires in Himalayan region.
9. Which of the following is the most abundant pollutant found in smog?
[A] Ozone
[B] Sulphur oxides
[C] Nitrogen oxides
[D] Volatile organic compounds
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Ozone ]
Notes:
Ozone is the most abundant pollutant in smog.
10. In environmental context, “Operation Green Wave” is associated to which of the following countries?
[A] Brazil
[B] Canada
[C] India
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Brazil]
Notes:
“Operation Green Wave” was conducted by the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources or Ibama to combat illegal logging and deforestation activities in Amazon Rainforest area.
