UPSC Static Quiz – Environment : 10 May 2025

UPSC Static Quiz – Environment : 10 May 2025 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 Which of the following can lead to reduction of soil organic carbon? Frequent cropping Excessive tillage Volcanoes Earthquakes Urban expansion How many of the above options is/are correct? (a) Only two (b) Only three (c) Only four (d) All five Correct Solution: d) Reasons for the reduction of soil organic carbon: There may be natural factors such as floods, earthquakes and volcanoes. The human induced factors are: Urban expansion Over grazing Excessive tillage Land degradation due to inappropriate agriculture practices Frequent cropping Unscientific crop rotation Improper agriculture practices Poor irrigation and water management Incorrect Solution: d) Reasons for the reduction of soil organic carbon: There may be natural factors such as floods, earthquakes and volcanoes. The human induced factors are: Urban expansion Over grazing Excessive tillage Land degradation due to inappropriate agriculture practices Frequent cropping Unscientific crop rotation Improper agriculture practices Poor irrigation and water management

#### 1. Question

Which of the following can lead to reduction of soil organic carbon?

• Frequent cropping

• Excessive tillage

• Earthquakes

• Urban expansion

How many of the above options is/are correct?

• (a) Only two

• (b) Only three

• (c) Only four

• (d) All five

Solution: d)

Reasons for the reduction of soil organic carbon:

There may be natural factors such as floods, earthquakes and volcanoes.

The human induced factors are:

Urban expansion

Over grazing

Excessive tillage

Land degradation due to inappropriate agriculture practices

Frequent cropping

Unscientific crop rotation

Improper agriculture practices

Poor irrigation and water management

Solution: d)

Reasons for the reduction of soil organic carbon:

There may be natural factors such as floods, earthquakes and volcanoes.

The human induced factors are:

Urban expansion

Over grazing

Excessive tillage

Land degradation due to inappropriate agriculture practices

Frequent cropping

Unscientific crop rotation

Improper agriculture practices

Poor irrigation and water management

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question With reference to ecological succession, the term Seral stage refers to a) Final stage in the ecological succession that is in near equilibrium with the environment. b) First stage of secondary succession in areas where natural biotic communities have been destroyed. c) Intermediate stage in an ecological succession. d) First stage of primary succession in an area. Correct Solution: c) The term Seral stage refers to any of the intermediate stages in the process of ecological succession, which is the natural and gradual replacement of one type of biological community by another over time. These stages occur between the pioneer stage (initial colonizers like lichens or grasses) and the climax community (a relatively stable and mature ecosystem in equilibrium with environmental conditions). Each seral stage involves a temporary, transitional plant and animal community that modifies the habitat in a way that makes it more suitable for the next group of species. These modifications can include changes in soil composition, light availability, moisture levels, and nutrient cycling. The number and type of seral stages depend on various factors like the type of succession (primary or secondary), local climate, and disturbance history. Understanding seral stages helps ecologists manage and restore degraded ecosystems more effectively by predicting community development patterns. Incorrect Solution: c) The term Seral stage refers to any of the intermediate stages in the process of ecological succession, which is the natural and gradual replacement of one type of biological community by another over time. These stages occur between the pioneer stage (initial colonizers like lichens or grasses) and the climax community (a relatively stable and mature ecosystem in equilibrium with environmental conditions). Each seral stage involves a temporary, transitional plant and animal community that modifies the habitat in a way that makes it more suitable for the next group of species. These modifications can include changes in soil composition, light availability, moisture levels, and nutrient cycling. The number and type of seral stages depend on various factors like the type of succession (primary or secondary), local climate, and disturbance history. Understanding seral stages helps ecologists manage and restore degraded ecosystems more effectively by predicting community development patterns.

#### 2. Question

With reference to ecological succession, the term Seral stage refers to

• a) Final stage in the ecological succession that is in near equilibrium with the environment.

• b) First stage of secondary succession in areas where natural biotic communities have been destroyed.

• c) Intermediate stage in an ecological succession.

• d) First stage of primary succession in an area.

Solution: c)

• The term Seral stage refers to any of the intermediate stages in the process of ecological succession, which is the natural and gradual replacement of one type of biological community by another over time. These stages occur between the pioneer stage (initial colonizers like lichens or grasses) and the climax community (a relatively stable and mature ecosystem in equilibrium with environmental conditions).

• Each seral stage involves a temporary, transitional plant and animal community that modifies the habitat in a way that makes it more suitable for the next group of species. These modifications can include changes in soil composition, light availability, moisture levels, and nutrient cycling.

• The number and type of seral stages depend on various factors like the type of succession (primary or secondary), local climate, and disturbance history. Understanding seral stages helps ecologists manage and restore degraded ecosystems more effectively by predicting community development patterns.

Solution: c)

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Consider the following statements regarding Eutrophication. Eutrophication is when a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients which induce excessive growth of algae and in turn, increases water quality. Increase of phytoplankton in a water body is the response to increased levels of nutrients. Which of the above statements is/are incorrect? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 Correct Solution: a) Eutrophication is when a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients which induce excessive growth of algae. This process may result in oxygen depletion of the water body. One example is an “algal bloom” or great increase of phytoplankton in a water body as a response to increased levels of nutrients. Eutrophication is often induced by the discharge of nitrate or phosphate-containing detergents, fertilizers, or sewage into an aquatic system. Incorrect Solution: a) Eutrophication is when a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients which induce excessive growth of algae. This process may result in oxygen depletion of the water body. One example is an “algal bloom” or great increase of phytoplankton in a water body as a response to increased levels of nutrients. Eutrophication is often induced by the discharge of nitrate or phosphate-containing detergents, fertilizers, or sewage into an aquatic system.

#### 3. Question

Consider the following statements regarding Eutrophication.

• Eutrophication is when a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients which induce excessive growth of algae and in turn, increases water quality.

• Increase of phytoplankton in a water body is the response to increased levels of nutrients.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

• c) Both 1 and 2

• d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: a)

Eutrophication is when a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients which induce excessive growth of algae. This process may result in oxygen depletion of the water body. One example is an “algal bloom” or great increase of phytoplankton in a water body as a response to increased levels of nutrients.

Eutrophication is often induced by the discharge of nitrate or phosphate-containing detergents, fertilizers, or sewage into an aquatic system.

Solution: a)

Eutrophication is often induced by the discharge of nitrate or phosphate-containing detergents, fertilizers, or sewage into an aquatic system.

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Consider the following statements. An ecological niche is the unique functional role or place of a species in an ecosystem. No two species have exact identical niches. Which of the above statements is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 Correct Solution: c) A niche is the unique functional role or place of a species in an ecosystem. It is a description of all the biological, physical and chemical factors that a species needs to survive, stay healthy and reproduce. A niche is unique for a species, which means no two species have exact identical niches. Niche plays an important role in conservation of organisms. If we have to conserve species in its native habitat we should have knowledge about the niche requirements of the species and should ensure that all requirements of its niche are fulfilled. Incorrect Solution: c) A niche is the unique functional role or place of a species in an ecosystem. It is a description of all the biological, physical and chemical factors that a species needs to survive, stay healthy and reproduce. A niche is unique for a species, which means no two species have exact identical niches. Niche plays an important role in conservation of organisms. If we have to conserve species in its native habitat we should have knowledge about the niche requirements of the species and should ensure that all requirements of its niche are fulfilled.

#### 4. Question

Consider the following statements.

• An ecological niche is the unique functional role or place of a species in an ecosystem.

• No two species have exact identical niches.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• c) Both 1 and 2

• d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: c)

A niche is the unique functional role or place of a species in an ecosystem. It is a description of all the biological, physical and chemical factors that a species needs to survive, stay healthy and reproduce.

A niche is unique for a species, which means no two species have exact identical niches. Niche plays an important role in conservation of organisms.

If we have to conserve species in its native habitat we should have knowledge about the niche requirements of the species and should ensure that all requirements of its niche are fulfilled.

Solution: c)

A niche is unique for a species, which means no two species have exact identical niches. Niche plays an important role in conservation of organisms.

If we have to conserve species in its native habitat we should have knowledge about the niche requirements of the species and should ensure that all requirements of its niche are fulfilled.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Due to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence(s)? Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected. There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants. It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders and birds. How many of the above statements is/are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Correct Solution: b) Statement 1 is correct: Butterflies are important pollinators, especially for many flowering plants. A significant drop in their population can lead to a reduction in cross-pollination, thereby affecting the reproduction and survival of certain plant species, particularly those dependent on them. Statement 2 is incorrect: A decline in butterfly population is not directly linked to an increase in fungal infections in cultivated plants. Fungal infections are usually influenced by climatic conditions, crop management practices, and microbial interactions, not butterfly abundance. Hence, this statement lacks a logical causal relationship. Statement 3 is correct: Butterflies serve as prey for many predators such as wasps, spiders, birds, and small reptiles. A sharp decline in butterflies can disturb the local food web, potentially causing a reduction in populations of species that rely on them for food, especially during their larval (caterpillar) stage. Incorrect Solution: b) Statement 1 is correct: Butterflies are important pollinators, especially for many flowering plants. A significant drop in their population can lead to a reduction in cross-pollination, thereby affecting the reproduction and survival of certain plant species, particularly those dependent on them. Statement 2 is incorrect: A decline in butterfly population is not directly linked to an increase in fungal infections in cultivated plants. Fungal infections are usually influenced by climatic conditions, crop management practices, and microbial interactions, not butterfly abundance. Hence, this statement lacks a logical causal relationship. Statement 3 is correct: Butterflies serve as prey for many predators such as wasps, spiders, birds, and small reptiles. A sharp decline in butterflies can disturb the local food web, potentially causing a reduction in populations of species that rely on them for food, especially during their larval (caterpillar) stage.

#### 5. Question

Due to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence(s)?

• Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected.

• There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants.

• It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders and birds.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• (a) Only one

• (b) Only two

• (c) All three

Solution: b)

• Statement 1 is correct: Butterflies are important pollinators, especially for many flowering plants. A significant drop in their population can lead to a reduction in cross-pollination, thereby affecting the reproduction and survival of certain plant species, particularly those dependent on them.

• Statement 2 is incorrect: A decline in butterfly population is not directly linked to an increase in fungal infections in cultivated plants. Fungal infections are usually influenced by climatic conditions, crop management practices, and microbial interactions, not butterfly abundance. Hence, this statement lacks a logical causal relationship.

• Statement 3 is correct: Butterflies serve as prey for many predators such as wasps, spiders, birds, and small reptiles. A sharp decline in butterflies can disturb the local food web, potentially causing a reduction in populations of species that rely on them for food, especially during their larval (caterpillar) stage.

Solution: b)

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