UPSC Static Quiz – Environment : 09 July 2024
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC Static Quiz – Environment : 09 July 2024 We will post 5 questions daily on static topics mentioned in the UPSC civil services preliminary examination syllabus. Each week will focus on a specific topic from the syllabus, such as History of India and Indian National Movement, Indian and World Geography, and more.We are excited to bring you our daily UPSC Static Quiz, designed to help you prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Each day, we will post 5 questions on static topics mentioned in the UPSC syllabus. This week, we are focusing on Indian and World Geography.
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• Question 1 of 5 1. Question Consider the following statements regarding Peatlands. Peatlands are wetlands where permanently waterlogged conditions lead to complete decomposition of dead plant material. Peatlands are highly space-effective carbon stocks and contain more carbon than the entire forest biomass of the world. Peatlands are formed only under tropical climate conditions. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: a) Only Statement 2 is correct. Peatlands are wetlands where permanently waterlogged conditions prevent the complete decomposition of dead plant material. Peatlands are formed due to the accumulation of partially decomposed plant remains over thousands of years under conditions of water-logging. Peatlands, which play a crucial role in regulating global climate by acting as carbon sinks, are facing degradation. Peatlands (lands with peat at the surface) are highly space-effective carbon stocks: they cover only 3% of the land, but contain more carbon than the entire forest biomass of the world. Peatlands contain 30 per cent of the world’s soil carbon. When drained, these emit greenhouse gases, contributing up to one gigaton of emissions per year through oxidation. Peatlands occur in different climate zones. While in tropical climate, they can occur in mangroves, in Arctic regions, peatlands are dominated by mosses. Some mangrove species are known to develop peatland soils under them. Besides climate mitigation, peatlands are important for archaeology, as they maintain pollen, seeds and human remains for a long time in their acidic and water-logged conditions. In many countries, pristine peatlands are important for recreation activities. These areas also support livelihood in the form of pastoralism. The vegetation growing on pristine peatlands provide different kinds of fibres for construction activities and handicrafts. Incorrect Solution: a) Only Statement 2 is correct. Peatlands are wetlands where permanently waterlogged conditions prevent the complete decomposition of dead plant material. Peatlands are formed due to the accumulation of partially decomposed plant remains over thousands of years under conditions of water-logging. Peatlands, which play a crucial role in regulating global climate by acting as carbon sinks, are facing degradation. Peatlands (lands with peat at the surface) are highly space-effective carbon stocks: they cover only 3% of the land, but contain more carbon than the entire forest biomass of the world. Peatlands contain 30 per cent of the world’s soil carbon. When drained, these emit greenhouse gases, contributing up to one gigaton of emissions per year through oxidation. Peatlands occur in different climate zones. While in tropical climate, they can occur in mangroves, in Arctic regions, peatlands are dominated by mosses. Some mangrove species are known to develop peatland soils under them. Besides climate mitigation, peatlands are important for archaeology, as they maintain pollen, seeds and human remains for a long time in their acidic and water-logged conditions. In many countries, pristine peatlands are important for recreation activities. These areas also support livelihood in the form of pastoralism. The vegetation growing on pristine peatlands provide different kinds of fibres for construction activities and handicrafts.
#### 1. Question
Consider the following statements regarding Peatlands.
• Peatlands are wetlands where permanently waterlogged conditions lead to complete decomposition of dead plant material.
• Peatlands are highly space-effective carbon stocks and contain more carbon than the entire forest biomass of the world.
• Peatlands are formed only under tropical climate conditions.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
• a) Only one
• b) Only two
• c) All three
Solution: a)
Only Statement 2 is correct.
Peatlands are wetlands where permanently waterlogged conditions prevent the complete decomposition of dead plant material.
Peatlands are formed due to the accumulation of partially decomposed plant remains over thousands of years under conditions of water-logging.
Peatlands, which play a crucial role in regulating global climate by acting as carbon sinks, are facing degradation.
Peatlands (lands with peat at the surface) are highly space-effective carbon stocks: they cover only 3% of the land, but contain more carbon than the entire forest biomass of the world.
Peatlands contain 30 per cent of the world’s soil carbon. When drained, these emit greenhouse gases, contributing up to one gigaton of emissions per year through oxidation.
• Peatlands occur in different climate zones. While in tropical climate, they can occur in mangroves, in Arctic regions, peatlands are dominated by mosses. Some mangrove species are known to develop peatland soils under them.
• Besides climate mitigation, peatlands are important for archaeology, as they maintain pollen, seeds and human remains for a long time in their acidic and water-logged conditions.
• In many countries, pristine peatlands are important for recreation activities. These areas also support livelihood in the form of pastoralism.
• The vegetation growing on pristine peatlands provide different kinds of fibres for construction activities and handicrafts.
Solution: a)
Only Statement 2 is correct.
Peatlands are wetlands where permanently waterlogged conditions prevent the complete decomposition of dead plant material.
Peatlands are formed due to the accumulation of partially decomposed plant remains over thousands of years under conditions of water-logging.
Peatlands, which play a crucial role in regulating global climate by acting as carbon sinks, are facing degradation.
Peatlands (lands with peat at the surface) are highly space-effective carbon stocks: they cover only 3% of the land, but contain more carbon than the entire forest biomass of the world.
Peatlands contain 30 per cent of the world’s soil carbon. When drained, these emit greenhouse gases, contributing up to one gigaton of emissions per year through oxidation.
• Peatlands occur in different climate zones. While in tropical climate, they can occur in mangroves, in Arctic regions, peatlands are dominated by mosses. Some mangrove species are known to develop peatland soils under them.
• Besides climate mitigation, peatlands are important for archaeology, as they maintain pollen, seeds and human remains for a long time in their acidic and water-logged conditions.
• In many countries, pristine peatlands are important for recreation activities. These areas also support livelihood in the form of pastoralism.
• The vegetation growing on pristine peatlands provide different kinds of fibres for construction activities and handicrafts.
• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Consider the following statements regarding Coral bleaching. When corals are stressed by changes in temperature, light or nutrients, they expel the algae living in their tissue, causing them to turn white. Increase in zooplankton levels halts coral bleaching. Cold water temperatures also cause coral bleaching. Which of the above statements is/are correct? a) 1, 2 b) 2, 3 c) 1, 3 d) 1, 2, 3 Correct Solution: c) What is coral bleaching? According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), when corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light or nutrients, they expel the algae living in their tissue, causing them to turn white, hence bleached. Coral bleaching does not mean the corals are dead, but make them vulnerable, hence increasing their mortality. Warm ocean temperatures are one condition that could lead to coral bleaching. For instance, in 2005, the US lost half of its coral reefs in the Caribbean in one year due to a massive bleaching event. Even so, NOAA says that not all bleaching events are due to warmer temperatures. In January 2010, cold water temperatures in the Florida caused a coral bleaching event that resulted in some coral deaths. List of triggers increased water temperature (marine heatwaves, most commonly due to global warming), or reduced water temperatures oxygen starvation caused by an increase in zooplankton levels as a result of overfishing increased solar irradiance (photosynthetically active radiation and ultraviolet light) increased sedimentation (due to silt runoff) bacterial infections changes in salinity herbicides extreme low tide and exposure cyanide fishing elevated sea levels due to global warming (Watson)[ mineral dust from African dust storms caused by drought pollutants such as oxybenzone, butylparaben, octyl methoxycinnamate, or enzacamene: four common sunscreen ingredients that are nonbiodegradable and can wash off of skin ocean acidification due to elevated levels of CO2caused by air pollution being exposed to Oil or other chemical spills Incorrect Solution: c) What is coral bleaching? According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), when corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light or nutrients, they expel the algae living in their tissue, causing them to turn white, hence bleached. Coral bleaching does not mean the corals are dead, but make them vulnerable, hence increasing their mortality. Warm ocean temperatures are one condition that could lead to coral bleaching. For instance, in 2005, the US lost half of its coral reefs in the Caribbean in one year due to a massive bleaching event. Even so, NOAA says that not all bleaching events are due to warmer temperatures. In January 2010, cold water temperatures in the Florida caused a coral bleaching event that resulted in some coral deaths. List of triggers increased water temperature (marine heatwaves, most commonly due to global warming), or reduced water temperatures oxygen starvation caused by an increase in zooplankton levels as a result of overfishing increased solar irradiance (photosynthetically active radiation and ultraviolet light) increased sedimentation (due to silt runoff) bacterial infections changes in salinity herbicides extreme low tide and exposure cyanide fishing elevated sea levels due to global warming (Watson)[ mineral dust from African dust storms caused by drought pollutants such as oxybenzone, butylparaben, octyl methoxycinnamate, or enzacamene: four common sunscreen ingredients that are nonbiodegradable and can wash off of skin ocean acidification due to elevated levels of CO2caused by air pollution being exposed to Oil or other chemical spills
#### 2. Question
Consider the following statements regarding Coral bleaching.
• When corals are stressed by changes in temperature, light or nutrients, they expel the algae living in their tissue, causing them to turn white.
• Increase in zooplankton levels halts coral bleaching.
• Cold water temperatures also cause coral bleaching.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
• d) 1, 2, 3
Solution: c)
What is coral bleaching?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), when corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light or nutrients, they expel the algae living in their tissue, causing them to turn white, hence bleached.
Coral bleaching does not mean the corals are dead, but make them vulnerable, hence increasing their mortality. Warm ocean temperatures are one condition that could lead to coral bleaching. For instance, in 2005, the US lost half of its coral reefs in the Caribbean in one year due to a massive bleaching event.
Even so, NOAA says that not all bleaching events are due to warmer temperatures. In January 2010, cold water temperatures in the Florida caused a coral bleaching event that resulted in some coral deaths.
List of triggers
• increased water temperature (marine heatwaves, most commonly due to global warming), or reduced water temperatures
• oxygen starvation caused by an increase in zooplankton levels as a result of overfishing
• increased solar irradiance (photosynthetically active radiation and ultraviolet light)
• increased sedimentation (due to silt runoff)
• bacterial infections
• changes in salinity
• herbicides
• extreme low tide and exposure
• cyanide fishing
• elevated sea levels due to global warming (Watson)[
• mineral dust from African dust storms caused by drought
• pollutants such as oxybenzone, butylparaben, octyl methoxycinnamate, or enzacamene: four common sunscreen ingredients that are nonbiodegradable and can wash off of skin
• ocean acidification due to elevated levels of CO2caused by air pollution
• being exposed to Oil or other chemical spills
Solution: c)
What is coral bleaching?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), when corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light or nutrients, they expel the algae living in their tissue, causing them to turn white, hence bleached.
Coral bleaching does not mean the corals are dead, but make them vulnerable, hence increasing their mortality. Warm ocean temperatures are one condition that could lead to coral bleaching. For instance, in 2005, the US lost half of its coral reefs in the Caribbean in one year due to a massive bleaching event.
Even so, NOAA says that not all bleaching events are due to warmer temperatures. In January 2010, cold water temperatures in the Florida caused a coral bleaching event that resulted in some coral deaths.
List of triggers
• increased water temperature (marine heatwaves, most commonly due to global warming), or reduced water temperatures
• oxygen starvation caused by an increase in zooplankton levels as a result of overfishing
• increased solar irradiance (photosynthetically active radiation and ultraviolet light)
• increased sedimentation (due to silt runoff)
• bacterial infections
• changes in salinity
• herbicides
• extreme low tide and exposure
• cyanide fishing
• elevated sea levels due to global warming (Watson)[
• mineral dust from African dust storms caused by drought
• pollutants such as oxybenzone, butylparaben, octyl methoxycinnamate, or enzacamene: four common sunscreen ingredients that are nonbiodegradable and can wash off of skin
• ocean acidification due to elevated levels of CO2caused by air pollution
• being exposed to Oil or other chemical spills
• Question 3 of 5 3. Question In which of the following trophic levels, you are likely to find the highest concentration of an organic toxin that has been found in ocean water and the aquatic animals inhabiting it? a) Small fishes at lower trophic levels b) Aquatic plants c) Human being who consumes sea food d) Large fishes at higher trophic levels Correct Solution: c) Most of the organic toxins are water insoluble and non-biodegradable. These high persistent toxins are, therefore, transferred from lower trophic level to higher trophic level through food chain. Incorrect Solution: c) Most of the organic toxins are water insoluble and non-biodegradable. These high persistent toxins are, therefore, transferred from lower trophic level to higher trophic level through food chain.
#### 3. Question
In which of the following trophic levels, you are likely to find the highest concentration of an organic toxin that has been found in ocean water and the aquatic animals inhabiting it?
• a) Small fishes at lower trophic levels
• b) Aquatic plants
• c) Human being who consumes sea food
• d) Large fishes at higher trophic levels
Solution: c)
Most of the organic toxins are water insoluble and non-biodegradable.
These high persistent toxins are, therefore, transferred from lower trophic level to higher trophic level through food chain.
Solution: c)
Most of the organic toxins are water insoluble and non-biodegradable.
These high persistent toxins are, therefore, transferred from lower trophic level to higher trophic level through food chain.
• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Which of the following best describes an Indicator species? a) It is a species which is introduced to reduce the level of pollution in an ecosystem. b) It is a species non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm. c) It is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on the communities in which it occurs. d) It is a species whose presence, absence or abundance reflects a specific environmental condition. Correct Solution: d) Indicator species, organism—often a microorganism or a plant—that serves as a measure of the environmental conditions that exist in a given locale. Example – Lichens: Quality of air can be determined based on its presence. Incorrect Solution: d) Indicator species, organism—often a microorganism or a plant—that serves as a measure of the environmental conditions that exist in a given locale. Example – Lichens: Quality of air can be determined based on its presence.
#### 4. Question
Which of the following best describes an Indicator species?
• a) It is a species which is introduced to reduce the level of pollution in an ecosystem.
• b) It is a species non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm.
• c) It is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on the communities in which it occurs.
• d) It is a species whose presence, absence or abundance reflects a specific environmental condition.
Solution: d)
Indicator species, organism—often a microorganism or a plant—that serves as a measure of the environmental conditions that exist in a given locale.
Example – Lichens: Quality of air can be determined based on its presence.
Solution: d)
Indicator species, organism—often a microorganism or a plant—that serves as a measure of the environmental conditions that exist in a given locale.
Example – Lichens: Quality of air can be determined based on its presence.
• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Consider the following statements regarding Vegetative Propagation. Plants raised by vegetative propagation can bear flowers and fruits earlier than those produced from seeds. Vegetative propagation is not possible from the plants that have lost the capacity to produce seeds. Plants produced through vegetative propagation are genetically similar enough to the parent plant. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: b) Statement 2 is incorrect. There are many plants in which parts like the root, stem and leaves develop into new plants under appropriate conditions. This property of vegetative propagation is used in methods such as layering or grafting to grow many plants like sugarcane, roses, or grapes for agricultural purposes. Plants raised by vegetative propagation can bear flowers and fruits earlier than those produced from seeds. Such methods also make possible the propagation of plants such as banana, orange, rose and jasmine that have lost the capacity to produce seeds. Another advantage of vegetative propagation is that all plants produced are genetically similar enough to the parent plant to have all its characteristics. Incorrect Solution: b) Statement 2 is incorrect. There are many plants in which parts like the root, stem and leaves develop into new plants under appropriate conditions. This property of vegetative propagation is used in methods such as layering or grafting to grow many plants like sugarcane, roses, or grapes for agricultural purposes. Plants raised by vegetative propagation can bear flowers and fruits earlier than those produced from seeds. Such methods also make possible the propagation of plants such as banana, orange, rose and jasmine that have lost the capacity to produce seeds. Another advantage of vegetative propagation is that all plants produced are genetically similar enough to the parent plant to have all its characteristics.
#### 5. Question
Consider the following statements regarding Vegetative Propagation.
• Plants raised by vegetative propagation can bear flowers and fruits earlier than those produced from seeds.
• Vegetative propagation is not possible from the plants that have lost the capacity to produce seeds.
• Plants produced through vegetative propagation are genetically similar enough to the parent plant.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
• a) Only one
• b) Only two
• c) All three
Solution: b)
Statement 2 is incorrect.
There are many plants in which parts like the root, stem and leaves develop into new plants under appropriate conditions. This property of vegetative propagation is used in methods such as layering or grafting to grow many plants like sugarcane, roses, or grapes for agricultural purposes. Plants raised by vegetative propagation can bear flowers and fruits earlier than those produced from seeds. Such methods also make possible the propagation of plants such as banana, orange, rose and jasmine that have lost the capacity to produce seeds. Another advantage of vegetative propagation is that all plants produced are
genetically similar enough to the parent plant to have all its characteristics.
Solution: b)
Statement 2 is incorrect.
There are many plants in which parts like the root, stem and leaves develop into new plants under appropriate conditions. This property of vegetative propagation is used in methods such as layering or grafting to grow many plants like sugarcane, roses, or grapes for agricultural purposes. Plants raised by vegetative propagation can bear flowers and fruits earlier than those produced from seeds. Such methods also make possible the propagation of plants such as banana, orange, rose and jasmine that have lost the capacity to produce seeds. Another advantage of vegetative propagation is that all plants produced are
genetically similar enough to the parent plant to have all its characteristics.
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