Set 2 | Important Biodiversity MCQs

Correct Answer is *.

• The United Nations has designated May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to promote greater understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
• Initially, when the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly established the observance in late 1993, December 29—marking the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity—was chosen as the date. However, in December 2000, the General Assembly officially moved the celebration to May 22, the date in 1992 when the Convention’s text was adopted at the Nairobi Final Act.
• This change was made, in part, because the December 29 date was difficult for many countries to organize due to the numerous holidays around that time of year.

Correct Answer is B.

• The United Nations has designated May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to promote greater understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

Correct Answer is A.

• Global warming, habitat fragmentation, and the invasion of alien species can pose significant threats to the biodiversity of a geographical region, whereas the promotion of vegetarianism does not contribute to such threats.

Correct Answer is C.

• The five primary threats to biodiversity that are widely recognized include invasive alien species, climate change, nutrient loading and pollution, habitat change, and overexploitation.

Correct Answer is C.

• Some of the key threats to biodiversity include: 1. Human activities and habitat loss, 2. Deforestation, 3. Desertification, 4. Degradation of the marine environment, 5. The growing wildlife trade, and 6. Climate change.
• The ongoing practice of shifting or Jhum cultivation in the eastern and northeastern regions of India is considered an unsustainable and unscientific land use method. Its impact on the environment and ecology in these areas is both severe and far-reaching, contributing to significant degradation.

Correct Answer is A.

• The Eastern Himalayas is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, along with other regions like the Mediterranean Basin and Southwest Australia, which are also considered biodiversity hotspots.

Correct Answer is C.

• According to Conservation International, there are currently 36 biodiversity-rich regions worldwide classified as hotspots. These areas represent only 2.5% of the Earth’s land surface but are home to over 50% of the world’s endemic plant species and nearly 43% of endemic bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species.
• India is home to four biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas, Indo-Burma (including Northeastern India and the Andaman Islands), Sundaland (Nicobar Islands), and the Western Ghats (shared with Sri Lanka).

Correct Answer is D.

The following are considered biodiversity hotspots in India:

1. The Himalayas
2. Indo-Burma (Northeastern India and Andaman Islands)
3. Sundaland (Nicobar Islands)
4. Western Ghats (and Sri Lanka)

These regions are recognized for their rich biodiversity and high levels of endemism.

Correct Answer is D.

• Hotspots are found not only in tropical regions but also in temperate areas, such as the California Floristic Province and Japan. India has four biodiversity hotspots: the Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Myanmar border, and Sundaland.
• Sundaland encompasses the Nicobar group of islands but does not include the Andaman group of islands.

Correct Answer is B.

• India is a land of extraordinary biodiversity, hosting 7.6% of all mammals, 12.6% of birds, 6.2% of reptiles, and 4.4% of amphibians found within the 18 megadiverse countries. Among the listed regions, the Western Ghats is particularly notable for its rich biodiversity.