Set 7 | Important Biodiversity MCQs

Correct Answer is D.

• A biosphere reserve is an ecosystem that supports plants and animals of exceptional scientific and natural significance. It plays a crucial role in preserving the genetic diversity of various species of organisms and plants.

Correct Answer is A.

• The Cartagena Protocol is an international agreement focused on biosafety. It was adopted on January 29, 2000, and came into effect on September 11, 2003. India ratified the Cartagena Protocol on January 23, 2003, affirming its commitment to biosafety.

Correct Answer is C.

• Warmer water temperatures can lead to coral bleaching, a serious threat to coral reef ecosystems. When water temperatures rise above the tolerance levels of corals, they expel the symbiotic algae, called zooxanthellae, that live within their tissues. These algae are crucial to the coral’s survival as they provide up to 90% of the coral’s energy through photosynthesis.
• Without them, the coral turns completely white, a condition known as coral bleaching. If water temperatures do not return to normal quickly, the corals are unable to recover and may die, leading to the collapse of entire reef ecosystems.
• This not only affects marine biodiversity but also impacts coastal communities that rely on reefs for fishing, tourism, and protection from storm surges and erosion.
• Coral bleaching events have become more frequent and severe due to climate change, with major episodes recorded in recent years, especially during strong El Niño events.

Correct Answer is A.

• India’s total coral reef area spans 5,790 km², distributed across four major regions: Lakshadweep, Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Fringing reefs, which are the most common type of coral reefs, are found around the Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Atoll reefs, which are ring-shaped and typically formed around lagoons, are specific to Lakshadweep.
• Additionally, the Sundarbans, located in the eastern part of India, is renowned for its extensive mangrove forests, which play a crucial role in coastal protection and support a diverse ecosystem.

Correct Answer is C.

• The term “biodiversity” is a shortened form of the phrase “biological diversity” and was first introduced in 1985 by Walter G. Rosen of the National Research Council. It was used as a title word for a seminar organized to explore and discuss the concept of biological diversity.

Correct Answer is D.

• Biodiversity is fundamental to human survival, contributing to essential processes such as soil formation, preventing soil erosion, waste recycling, and the pollination of crops. In addition to these vital ecosystem services, biodiversity also plays a significant role in medicine, providing numerous plant and animal species used for medicinal purposes.

Correct Answer is B.

• On December 22, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 65/161, declaring the years 2011–2020 as the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity. This initiative aimed to promote the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity globally.

Correct Answer is D.

• An ecosystem is a dynamic and interconnected system where organisms rely on one another for food, forming various trophic levels. A reduction in trophic levels signals an overabundance of a certain type of organism, which can lead to a decrease in biodiversity. Other key factors influencing biodiversity include the ecosystem’s productivity, the frequency of intermediate disturbances, and the ecosystem’s age, all of which contribute to its overall richness and complexity.

Correct Answer is B.

• The Himalayan Range boasts remarkable species diversity, primarily due to the convergence of various biogeographical zones within the region.
• This unique meeting point of different climatic and ecological zones creates a wide range of habitats, supporting a vast array of plant and animal species, contributing to the Himalayas’ rich biodiversity.

Correct Answer is B.

• The Biodiversity Act was enacted by the Indian Parliament on December 11, 2002, to address the conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of biological resources.
• This legislation is a significant step toward fulfilling India’s commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which aims to protect the planet’s biodiversity.