Set 11 | Important Biodiversity MCQs

Correct Answer is A.

• In the context of India’s biodiversity, the Ceylon frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger), Coppersmith barbet (Megalaima haemacephala), Grey-chinned minivet (Pericrocotus solaris), and White-throated redstart (Phoenicurus schisticeps) are bird species.

Correct Answer is C.

• Hibernation, or winter sleep, is a state of inactivity that animals enter during the winter months as a survival strategy to conserve energy when environmental conditions are unfavorable. Both cold-blooded and warm-blooded animals exhibit this behavior.
• Squirrels, bears, and certain bats hibernate in winter when food becomes scarce. During hibernation, an animal’s metabolism slows down, its body temperature drops, and its breathing rate decreases.
• To prepare for this period, they consume large amounts of food in summer and autumn, storing fat to sustain them through the winter. Mammals such as squirrels, muskrats, mice, and other rodents are examples of animals that hibernate.

Correct Answer is C.

• Biodiversity is typically richer in lower latitudes than in higher altitudes. Tropical rainforests, which boast the highest biodiversity, are located in lower latitudes. Likewise, valleys at lower altitudes tend to support more biodiversity compared to high-altitude mountain regions.

Correct Answer is A.

• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are rich in biodiversity, hosting unique endemic species. Their marine biodiversity includes marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, dugongs, and marine turtles, along with estuarine or saltwater crocodiles, fish, prawns, lobsters, corals, and seashells, including the rare and endangered Trochus species.
• In contrast, shrews and tapirs are found in the Himalayan ranges rather than in the Western Ghats of the Malabar region.

Correct Answer is B.

• The Red Panda, scientifically known as Ailurus fulgens, is a territorial mammal that inhabits temperate climates in deciduous and coniferous forests, often with bamboo understory and hollow trees.
• This makes them an important species in these ecosystems and indicators of forest health. They are found in the Himalayan region, including parts of Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and the Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• While most of the world’s red pandas are found in China, the majority of India’s red pandas are located in Arunachal Pradesh. Therefore, the first statement is incorrect.
• Slow Loris species are found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, northeastern India (including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura), Myanmar (including the Mergui Archipelago), Thailand, and Vietnam (except the southern regions), making the second statement correct.

Correct Answer is B.

• Wetlands International is a global, independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to sustaining and restoring wetlands and their resources for the benefit of people and biodiversity.
• Supported by government and NGO memberships from around the world, its headquarters is located in the Netherlands. The organization operates in various thematic areas globally, and is recognized as a leading scientific authority on peatlands, climate change, wetlands, and waterbird migration, drawing on extensive research and field projects.
• Wetlands International’s work spans research, community-based initiatives, advocacy, and collaboration with governments, corporations, and international policy forums. It relies on partnerships and contributions from a vast network of experts and tens of thousands of volunteers.

Correct Answer is D.

• India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention and has designated numerous areas as Ramsar Sites to conserve these wetlands using an ecosystem-based approach while promoting their sustainable use.

Correct Answer is A.

• The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites listed under the Wetlands of International Importance where significant changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur due to technological developments, pollution, or other human activities. It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.

Correct Answer is D.

• Wetlands act like sponges, preventing flooding by absorbing and holding excess water. This helps regulate river levels, while also filtering and purifying surface water.
• During floods or periods of high water, wetlands absorb the excess, and during dry times, they gradually release water back into the environment.
• Additionally, wetlands release organic matter into rivers, providing nourishment for fish. By doing so, wetlands mitigate the impact of human activities on rivers, helping to rejuvenate both the rivers and the surrounding ecosystems.

Correct Answer is A.

• In India, 69.23% of the country’s total geographical area classified as wetlands consists of inland wetlands, while 27.13% is made up of coastal wetlands, and 3.64% falls under the category of small wetlands (less than 2.25 ha). Gujarat, with 3,474,950 hectares, has the largest share of wetlands, followed by Andhra Pradesh in second place. Therefore, statement 1 is correct, and statement 2 is incorrect.

Correct Answer is C.

• Under the Ramsar Convention, it is not mandatory for the Government of India to protect and conserve all wetlands within its territory; therefore, statement 1 is incorrect.
• The Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010, were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of an expert panel established under the National Environment Policy 2006, not the Ramsar Convention, making statement 2 incorrect as well.
• Furthermore, the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010, also cover the drainage areas or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the relevant authority, so statement 3 is correct. Thus, the correct answer is (c).
• Additionally, the government has notified the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, which shift the focus of wetland management from a central authority to state bodies.

Correct Answer is A.

Biomass refers to all organic materials originating from plants, including algae, trees, and crops. It is produced by green plants through the process of photosynthesis, which converts sunlight into plant material. Biomass encompasses all terrestrial and aquatic vegetation, as well as organic waste.

Consequently, the deep sea has minimal biomass production, while the highest biomass production occurs in tropical rainforests, estimated at approximately 2,200 grams per square meter per year. The biomass production for various biomes is as follows:

• Deciduous forest: 1,200 grams (dry weight) per square meter per year
• Taiga: 800 grams (dry weight) per square meter per year
• Prairie: 600 grams (dry weight) per square meter per year
• Deep sea: Negligible grams (dry weight) per square meter per year

Correct Answer is A.

• Tomorrow’s Biodiversity is a book by Vandana Shiva that explores the critical importance of biodiversity for sustaining life on Earth and the impact of human activities on ecosystems.
• Vandana Shiva, an Indian environmental activist and scholar, emphasizes the need for sustainable practices to protect the planet’s rich biological diversity.

Correct Answer is D.

• The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (IT PGRFA), commonly referred to as the International Seed Treaty, is a comprehensive international agreement aligned with the Convention on Biological Diversity.
• Its primary objective is to ensure food security by promoting the conservation, exchange, and sustainable use of the world’s plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.