Set 10 | Important Biodiversity MCQs

Correct Answer is C.

• The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, part of the Convention on Biological Diversity, is an international agreement designed to ensure the safe handling, transport, and use of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) derived from modern biotechnology that may pose risks to biological diversity, while also considering potential risks to human health.
• It was adopted on January 29, 2000, and came into effect on September 11, 2003. India signed the protocol on January 23, 2001, and it is implemented in the country by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.

Correct Answer is B.

• The Rann of Kachchh serves as the natural habitat for the Indian Wild Ass. Although this animal faces no natural predators in the region, its survival is endangered by the destruction of its habitat.

Correct Answer is C.

• The tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) took place in Nagoya, Japan, from October 18 to 29, 2010. The Nagoya Biodiversity Summit concluded with the adoption of historic decisions that aimed to enable the global community to address the pressing challenges of biodiversity loss, exacerbated by climate change.
• The eleventh COP meeting (COP-11) was held in Hyderabad, India, from October 8 to 19, 2012, while the twelfth meeting (COP-12) took place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, from October 6 to 17, 2014. The fifteenth COP meeting (COP-15) was held in Kunming, China, from October 11 to 15, 2021, with a second phase scheduled from April 25 to May 8, 2022.

Correct Answer is D.

• The UN-REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) program is an inter-institutional initiative under the framework of UNFCCC member countries, launched in 2008.
• It involves institutions such as UNDP, FAO, and UNEP. The program’s primary goal is to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through improved forest management in developing nations.
• The UN-REDD+ program emphasizes forest conservation and sustainable management, playing a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate change. Effective design and implementation of the program can significantly protect biodiversity and enhance the resilience of forest ecosystems.
• Additionally, it provides technical and financial support to developing countries, contributing to both environmental protection and poverty reduction.

Correct Answer is A.

• The Brahmani and Vaitarni rivers converge at Bhitarkanika before flowing into the sea. Bhitarkanika is a protected area known for its rich wildlife and biodiversity.
• The Brahmani River, referred to as the South Koel in Jharkhand, is formed by the confluence of the South Koel and Sankh rivers near Rourkela. The Vaitarni River originates from the Guptaganga hills in the Keonjhar district of Odisha.

Correct Answer is A.

• Species Richness: A measure of the number of species present in a community.
• Alpha Diversity: In ecology, alpha diversity (α-diversity) refers to the average species diversity within specific sites or habitats at a local scale.
• Beta Diversity: This is a comparison of diversity between ecosystems, typically expressed as the change in species composition between ecosystems.
• Gamma Diversity: A measure of overall diversity across different ecosystems within a larger region.

Correct Answer is B.

• Established in 1948, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership organization that equips public, private, and non-governmental entities with the knowledge and tools necessary to facilitate the coexistence of human progress, economic development, and nature conservation.
• It operates independently and is not affiliated with the United Nations. IUCN’s expertise and extensive network form a robust basis for a wide array of conservation projects globally. Therefore, statement (1) is incorrect, while statements (2) and (3) are correct.

Correct Answer is C.

• The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) is a global initiative aimed at “making values visible.” Its main objective is to integrate the values of biodiversity and ecosystem services into decision-making processes at all levels.
• TEEB pursues this goal through a structured valuation approach that helps decision-makers understand the wide range of benefits provided by ecosystems and biodiversity, illustrates their economic values, and, where applicable, incorporates these values into decision-making.
• Launched by Germany and the European Union in March 2007, the initiative was led by Pavan Sukhdev from 2007 to 2011.

Correct Answer is A.

• The lion-tailed macaque is native to the Western Ghats of India and is classified as an endangered species. It primarily inhabits the states of Kerala and Karnataka, as well as the border regions of Tamil Nadu.

Correct Answer is B.

• The cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952. Recently, the Supreme Court of India put a hold on the government’s plan to reintroduce cheetahs to the country, specifically in a wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, with individuals sourced from Namibia.
• The snow leopard’s habitat is located at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,500 meters above sea level, and surveys conducted in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have confirmed their presence in India.
• The black-necked crane is the state bird of Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, flying squirrels inhabit various regions, including India, Russia, Japan, China, Europe, Africa, and North America. India is home to seven species of flying squirrels, six of which are found in the Himalayan region.