Daily Static MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams
Subject : Environment & Ecology (30 December 2023)
1. Consider the following:
1. Flies
2. Cockroach
3. Crabs
4. Jellyfish
Which of the above mentioned organisms are called detritivores?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (C)
Explanation: An herbivore eats detritus, which includes organic waste, debris and dried animal feces. Examples of detritivores are flies, cockroaches, crabs, earthworms, termites and wood ants. Both decomposers and detritivores help in the disintegration or decomposition of dead and decaying matter. Both obtain their energy from waste materials. Without their contribution the earth would be filled with dead matter and dead bodies. Hence, option (c) is correct.
2. Consider the following statements:
Statement-I:
India has signed the Kyoto Protocol, but is exempted from its obligations.
Statement-II:
India believes that developed countries should take greater responsibility for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement –II is the correct explanation of Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (A)
Explanation: India signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol (1997) in 2002. India, China and other developing countries have been exempted from the obligations of the Kyoto Protocol because they did not contribute much in terms of greenhouse gas emissions during the industrialization period. Hence, Statement-I is correct.
A meeting of Group-8 countries was held in June 2005. In this, India pointed out that the per capita emission rates of greenhouse gases in developing countries are nominal compared to developed countries. In line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, India is of the view that developed countries have the greatest responsibility for reducing emissions because these countries have emitted so much over a long period of time. Hence, Statement-II is correct.
Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I because it explains why India has signed the Kyoto Protocol and why India has been exempted from its obligations.
3. Consider the following statements regarding life forms in aquatic ecosystem:
1. Benthos, organisms are those which live in the bottom of water.
2. Nekton are organisms that remain attached to the stems and leaves of rooted plants.
3. Newtons are non-attached organisms that live at the interface of air and water.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (B)
Explanation: Benthos: Benthic organisms are those that live at the bottom of the water. Well-developed benthos are found in practically every aquatic ecosystem. Hence statement 1 is correct.
Nekton: It is a group of water or sea creatures that travel together independently. These organisms can be fish, crustaceans or mollusks that live in the sea or lake. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
Neuston: These are non-attached organisms that live at the interface of air and water, such as floating plants etc. Hence statement 3 is correct.
4. Consider the following statements:
1. The era of industrialization is considered responsible for the current global warming.
2. India ratified the Paris Climate Agreement on 2 October 2017.
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
Answer: (A)
Explanation: Greenhouse gas emissions increased significantly during the Industrial Revolution due to the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other human activities. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, causing Earth's temperature to rise. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
The Paris Agreement (2015) is a landmark agreement that calls on countries to tackle climate change and limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius. India ratified the Paris Agreement on October 2, 2016. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
5. Which of the following ecosystems will sequester the most carbon for a given unit of area?
(a) Saline land
(b) Grassland
(c) Bare Soil
(d) Mature tropical forest
Answer: (A)
Explanation: Saline wetlands are one of the key coastal ‘blue carbon’ habitats, recognized for their ability to store carbon within above- and below-ground biomass and sediments. Saline lands sequester two to four times more carbon than tropical forests. Hence, option (a) is correct.
