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Environment and Biodiversity MCQs – 08 (Biodiversity Conservation)

Most important MCQs from the chapter – Biodiversity Conservation MCQs for UPSC, State PSC and Other Examinations.

1. The maximum biodiversity is found in which among the following types of forests ?

(a) Tropical rain forests
(b) Temperate forests
(c) Coniferous forests
(d) Arctic forests

Correct Answer – (a) Tropical rain forests

  • The maximum diversity is found in tropical rainforests. 
  • Tropical forests are some of the richest areas on Earth in terms of biodiversity .
  • About 80% of the world’s documented species can be found in tropical rainforests.

2. Which one of the following trees is considered to be an environmental hazard ?

(a) Babool
(b) Teak
(c) Neem
(d) Eucalyptus

Correct Answer – (d) Eucalyptus

  • Eucalyptus trees can have a many negative environmental impacts due to following  reasons:
    • Consume more water than other trees
    • Deplete soil nutrients and moisture
    • Can be a fire hazard as they are extremely flammable
  • Eucalyptus is responsible for replacing indigenous forests in several parts of the world, depleting food and shelter sources and therefore affecting animals and birds.

3. Which one of the following is the most important cause for decline of biodiversity ?

(a) Genetic assimilation
(b) Rise in Predators
(c) Destruction of habitat
(d) Persistent Organic Pollutants

Correct Answer – (c) Destruction of habitat

  • Destruction of habitat is the most important cause for decline of biodiversity.
  • Other reasons for the decline of biodiversity are:
    • Climate change
    • Pollution
    • Illegal trade
    • Overexploitation

4. Which one of the following is focused on the conservation of biodiversity ?

(a) Biosphere Reserves
(b) Botanical Gardens
(c) National Parks
(d) Wild Life Sanctuaries

Correct Answer – (a) Biosphere Reserves

  • Biosphere reserves provide in-situ conservation of natural populations of both flora or fauna.
  • Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an international designation by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
  • This is an in-situ conservation technique.

5. Consider the following statements Biodiversity Hotspots :

1. These are regions with exceptional concentrations of unique species.
2. The concept of biodiversity hotspots was given by biologist Norman Myers.

Select the correct statement(s) using the codes given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer – (c) Both 1 and 2

  • Biodiversity hotspots are regions with exceptional concentrations of unique species.
  • Biodiversity hotspots are critical for biodiversity conservation due to high species richness and threats from habitat loss.
  • India has four Biodiversity hotspots.
  • The concept of biodiversity hotspots was given by biologist Norman Myers In 1988.

6. Which among the following is not a Biodiversity Hotspot ?

(a) Himalayas
(b) Indo-Burma region
(c) Western Ghats
(d) Amarkantak Hills

Correct Answer – (d) Amarkantak Hills

  • India has four Biodiversity hotspots which are as following:
    • Himalayas
    • Indo-Burma region
    • Western Ghats
    • Sundaland(Andaman and Nicobar Islands)

7. Which of the following can be threats to the biodiversity of a geographical area ?

1. Global warming
2. Destruction of habitat
3. Invasion of alien species

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) None of the Above

Correct Answer –  (c) 1, 2 and 3 only

  • Global warming, the destruction of natural habitats of organisms, environmental pollution and Invasion of alien species are all threats to biodiversity.

8. Consider the following statements:

1. Biodiversity is normally greater in the lower latitudes as compared to the higher latitudes.
2. Biodiversity is normally greater in the lower altitudes as compared to the higher altitudes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer –  (c) Both 1 and 2

  • Biodiversity is normally greater in the lower latitudes as compared to the higher latitudes.
  • There is a decrease in biodiversity from the equator towards the poles.
  • Biodiversity is normally greater in the lower altitudes as compared to the higher altitudes.
  • Higher altitudes have harsh climate hence only few species can survive there.

9. Consider the following statements about ‘Keystone species’:

1. Keystone species are the plants and organisms which have a large effect on the environment.
2. Keystone species play a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer –  (c) Both 1 and 2

  • Keystone species greatly affect the environment. 
  • They play a very critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community by affecting many other organisms. 
  • An ecosystem may experience a dramatic shift if a keystone species is removed, even though that species may be a small part of the ecosystem by measures of biomass or productivity.

10. Consider the following statements about ‘Genetic diversity’:

1. It is the variation in genes within a particular species.
2. It ensures that some species survive major changes and thus carry on desirable genes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer –  (c) Both 1 and 2

  • Genetic diversity is the variation in genes within a particular species.
  •  It ensures that some species survive major changes and thus carry on desirable genes.
  • Species evolve with every passing generation due to genetic diversity.

11. Which among the following is used to measure the Biodiversity of an area ?

(a) Species richness
(b) Species evenness
(c) species mortality rate
(d) Both (a) and (b)

Correct Answer – (d) Both (a) and (b)

  • Species richness → Measure of number of species found in an area.
  • Species evenness → Measures the proportion of species at a given site.
  • Low evenness indicates that a few species dominate the area.

12. Which of the following is not a reason of Biodiversity Loss ?

1. Lack of pollination
2. Availability of food sources
3. Hunting and Poaching

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 3 only

Correct Answer – (c) 2 only

  • Lack of pollination, Hunting and Poaching are the reasons for biodiversity loss.
  • Availability of food sources is not a reason for biodiversity loss.

13. Consider the following pairs about Biodiversity Conservation:

1. In-situ conservation → Conserving the animals and plants in their natural habitats
2. Ex-situ conservation → Conserving the animals and plants outside their natural habitats

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer –  (c) Both 1 and 2

  • In-situ conservation → Conserving the animals and plants in their natural habitats.
  • Examples → National parks,  Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere reserves etc.
  • Ex-situ conservation → Conserving the animals and plants outside their natural habitats. 
  • Examples → Zoological parks, Seed banks, Botanical gardens, Reintroduction of an extinct species in a habitat etc.

14. A property of a species being unique to a defined geographic location is known as ?

(a) Species richness
(b) Species evenness
(c) Endemism
(d) Alpha diversity

Correct Answer – (c) Endemism

  • Endemism is the ecological state of a species being unique to a defined geographic location such as an area or a country or other defined zone.
  • Organisms that are endemic to place are not found elsewhere in the world.

15. Which one of the following is not an example of in-situ conservation of flora ?

(a) Biosphere Reserves
(b) Botanical Garden
(c) National Park
(d) Wildlife Sanctuary

Correct Answer – (b) Botanical Garden

  • In Botanical Garden, Plants are bred in a protected environment far from their natural home, especially for research purposes.
  • This is an example of ex-situ conservation.

Also Read in Environment and Ecology MCQs :

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