📘 Study MCQs
Q1. The ‘Evil Quartet’ in biodiversity is primarily concerned with the major causes of:
• Species Extinction
• Adaptive Radiation
• Genetic Drift
• Sympatric Speciation
Answer: Species Extinction
The ‘Evil Quartet’ refers to the four major causes of biodiversity loss and species extinction: habitat loss and fragmentation, over-exploitation, alien species invasions, and co-extinctions. These factors were identified by Jared Diamond as the primary drivers of accelerated extinction rates.
Q2. The species-area relationship was proposed by:
• Paul Ehrlich
• Alexander von Humboldt
• Edward Wilson
• David Tilman
Answer: Alexander von Humboldt
Alexander von Humboldt observed that within a region, species richness increases with increasing explored area, but only up to a limit. This relationship is expressed mathematically as log S = log C + Z log A, where S is species richness, A is area, and C and Z are constants.
Q3. The ‘Rivet Popper Hypothesis’ is an analogy used to explain the importance of:
• Genetic Diversity
• Keystone Species
• Species Diversity
• Ecosystem Stability
Answer: Species Diversity
Proposed by Paul Ehrlich, the Rivet Popper Hypothesis compares species in an ecosystem to rivets in an airplane. Just as removing a few rivets might not initially affect the plane’s function but eventually leads to collapse, the loss of several species may not immediately impact ecosystem function but eventually leads to ecosystem breakdown.
Q4. Which of the following is NOT a level of biodiversity?
• Genetic Diversity
• Species Diversity
• Ecological Diversity
• Climatic Diversity
Answer: Climatic Diversity
Biodiversity has three main levels: genetic diversity (variation within species), species diversity (variety of species), and ecological diversity (variety of ecosystems and communities). Climatic diversity refers to weather patterns and is not considered a level of biodiversity.
Q5. The organization responsible for publishing the IUCN Red List is:
• World Wildlife Fund
• United Nations
• International Union for Conservation of Nature
• Convention on Biological Diversity
Answer: International Union for Conservation of Nature
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains and publishes the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, which categorizes species based on their risk of extinction and serves as a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity.
Q6. Species that are found only in a particular geographical area and nowhere else in the world are called:
• Endemic Species
• Keystone Species
• Exotic Species
• Cosmopolitan Species
Answer: Endemic Species
Endemic species are those that are restricted to a specific geographical region and are not naturally found anywhere else in the world. They are particularly vulnerable to extinction because their limited distribution makes them susceptible to habitat loss and other threats.
Q7. The country with the greatest biodiversity in the world is:
• India
• Brazil
• Australia
• Indonesia
Answer: Brazil
Brazil is considered the most biodiverse country in the world, largely due to the Amazon rainforest which contains approximately 10% of the world’s known species. Brazil has the highest number of known species of mammals, freshwater fish, and plants.
Q8. The ‘Sixth Mass Extinction’ currently underway is different from previous mass extinctions because it is caused by:
• Natural Climate Change
• Asteroid Impact
• Human Activities
• Volcanic Eruptions
Answer: Human Activities
The current mass extinction, often called the Sixth Mass Extinction or Anthropocene Extinction, is primarily driven by human activities including habitat destruction, overexploitation, pollution, introduction of invasive species, and climate change, unlike previous mass extinctions which were caused by natural phenomena.
Q9. Sacred groves in India are protected primarily due to:
• Government Legislation
• Religious and Cultural Beliefs
• Scientific Importance
• Tourist Attraction
Answer: Religious and Cultural Beliefs
Sacred groves are forest fragments protected by local communities due to their religious and cultural significance. These areas serve as important biodiversity refuges, preserving many endemic and threatened species that might otherwise have been lost to deforestation.
Q10. The international treaty that aims to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival is:
• Ramsar Convention
• CITES
• Montreal Protocol
• Kyoto Protocol
Answer: CITES
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments that aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
Q11. The term ‘biodiversity hotspot’ refers to regions that have:
• High Species Richness and High Endemism
• High Temperature Throughout the Year
• Large Human Population
• Frequent Volcanic Activity
Answer: High Species Richness and High Endemism
Biodiversity hotspots are regions that contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics (more than 0.5% of the world’s total) and have lost at least 70% of their original habitat. They are characterized by high species richness and high levels of endemism.
Q12. The approximate percentage of global species diversity that insects represent is:
• More than 70%
• About 50%
• Less than 20%
• About 30%
Answer: More than 70%
Insects represent the most species-rich group of organisms, comprising more than 70% of all known animal species. This immense diversity demonstrates the importance of arthropods in global biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
Q13. Which group of vertebrates has the maximum number of described species?
• Mammals
• Birds
• Fish
• Reptiles
Answer: Fish
Among vertebrates, fish have the highest number of described species, with approximately 34,000 species. This is more than all other vertebrate groups combined, representing over half of all vertebrate species on Earth.
Q14. The phenomenon where the extinction of one species leads to the extinction of another species that depends on it is called:
• Co-extinction
• Mass Extinction
• Background Extinction
• Local Extinction
Answer: Co-extinction
Co-extinction occurs when the extinction of one species leads to the extinction of another species that is ecologically linked to it, such as a specialized pollinator and its host plant, or a parasite and its specific host.
Q15. The organization that launched ‘Project Tiger’ in India was:
• State Forest Departments
• Wildlife Institute of India
• Ministry of Environment and Forests
• Indian Council of Forestry Research
Answer: Ministry of Environment and Forests
Project Tiger was launched in 1973 by the Government of India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests. It aims to ensure a viable population of Bengal tigers in their natural habitats, protecting them from extinction, and preserving areas of biological importance.
Q16. The primary objective of establishing Biosphere Reserves is:
• To Protect a Single Flagship Species
• For Scientific Research Only
• To Conserve Biodiversity and Promote Sustainable Development
• For Tourism Development
Answer: To Conserve Biodiversity and Promote Sustainable Development
Biosphere Reserves are designated by UNESCO to promote sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science. They have three interconnected zones: core area (strictly protected), buffer zone (limited activities), and transition zone (sustainable development activities).
Q17. The ‘Red Data Book’ contains information about:
• Endangered Species
• Invasive Species
• Commercially Valuable Species
• Medicinal Plants
Answer: Endangered Species
The Red Data Book is a document maintained by the IUCN that lists species according to their conservation status. It provides comprehensive information about endangered plants and animals, including their distribution, population status, and threats they face.
Q18. The main cause for the decline in population of the Asiatic Cheetah in India was:
• Habitat Destruction
• Excessive Hunting
• Climate Change
• Disease
Answer: Excessive Hunting
The Asiatic Cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952 primarily due to excessive hunting and capture. Cheetahs were hunted for sport, and also captured for coursing blackbucks, which led to their rapid population decline and eventual extinction from India.
Q19. The approximate number of biodiversity hotspots identified worldwide is:
• 25
• 36
• 50
• 12
Answer: 36
Currently, there are 36 biodiversity hotspots identified worldwide by Conservation International. These hotspots cover only 2.4% of the Earth’s land surface but are home to more than half of the world’s plant species and nearly 43% of bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species.
Q20. The ‘Western Ghats’ biodiversity hotspot is particularly rich in:
• Amphibian Species
• Desert Species
• Marine Species
• Arctic Species
Answer: Amphibian Species
The Western Ghats in India is exceptionally rich in amphibian diversity, with a high degree of endemism. It is home to numerous unique frog and caecilian species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world.
Q21. The ‘Z’ value in the species-area relationship typically ranges between:
• 0.1 to 0.2
• 0.6 to 1.2
• 2.0 to 3.0
• 3.0 to 4.0
Answer: 0.1 to 0.2
In the species-area relationship (log S = log C + Z log A), the value of Z (slope of the line) typically ranges from 0.1 to 0.2 for smaller areas like continents. For larger areas like entire continents or islands, the value is typically around 0.6 to 1.2.
Q22. The main reason for converting forest land to agricultural land in tropical areas is:
• Increasing Demand for Food
• Urbanization
• Mining Activities
• Industrial Development
Answer: Increasing Demand for Food
In tropical regions, the primary driver of deforestation is the conversion of forest land to agricultural land to meet increasing food demands from growing populations. This includes both subsistence farming and commercial agriculture.
Q23. The most effective method for preserving genetic diversity of crop plants is through:
• In-situ Conservation
• Seed Banks
• Botanical Gardens
• Cryopreservation
Answer: Seed Banks
Seed banks, or gene banks, are the most effective method for preserving genetic diversity of crop plants. They store seeds under controlled conditions (low temperature and humidity) to maintain their viability for long periods, preserving genetic material for future use.
Q24. The organization that initiated ‘Project Elephant’ in India is:
• Ministry of Environment and Forests
• World Wildlife Fund
• IUCN
• United Nations
Answer: Ministry of Environment and Forests
Project Elephant was launched in 1992 by the Government of India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests to provide financial and technical support to states for the protection of elephants, their habitats, and corridors, and to address human-elephant conflict.
Q25. The term ‘Latiitudinal Gradient’ in biodiversity refers to the observation that:
• Species Diversity Increases from Poles to Equator
• Species Diversity Increases from Equator to Poles
• Species Diversity is Highest in Temperate Regions
• Species Diversity is Uniform Globally
Answer: Species Diversity Increases from Poles to Equator
The latitudinal gradient in biodiversity refers to the well-established pattern that species diversity generally increases from the poles to the equator. Tropical regions near the equator have the highest species diversity, while polar regions have the lowest.
Q26. The ‘Ramsar Convention’ is specifically concerned with the conservation of:
• Wetlands
• Forests
• Deserts
• Mountains
Answer: Wetlands
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
Q27. The ‘Greenhouse Effect’ primarily impacts biodiversity through:
• Climate Change
• Direct Toxicity
• Habitat Fragmentation
• Overexploitation
Answer: Climate Change
The enhanced greenhouse effect, caused by increased atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, leads to global climate change. This affects biodiversity by altering temperature and precipitation patterns, sea levels, and the frequency of extreme weather events, all of which impact species distributions and ecosystem functions.
Q28. The ‘Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve’ is located in which Indian state(s)?
• Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu
• Maharashtra and Gujarat
• Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh
• Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
Answer: Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is located in the Western Ghats and covers parts of three Indian states: Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. It was the first biosphere reserve established in India in 1986 and is known for its rich biodiversity.
Q29. The most immediate threat to the survival of the Great Indian Bustard is:
• Habitat Loss
• Collision with Power Lines
• Poaching
• Climate Change
Answer: Collision with Power Lines
The most immediate and critical threat to the Great Indian Bustard is collision with overhead power lines. These large birds have poor frontal vision and cannot detect power lines in time to avoid them, leading to high mortality rates from electrocution and collision.
Q30. The primary purpose of establishing ‘National Parks’ is:
• Conservation of Biodiversity with Minimal Human Intervention
• Sustainable Resource Use by Local Communities
• Scientific Research Only
• Tourism Development
Answer: Conservation of Biodiversity with Minimal Human Intervention
National Parks are established for the conservation of wild nature and biodiversity with minimal human intervention. They provide protection to entire ecosystems, including plants, animals, and landscapes, and generally prohibit human activities that could harm the natural environment.