UPSC Static Quiz – Environment : 13 January 2026

UPSC Static Quiz – Environment : 13 January 2026 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 What do you understand by an indicator species? (a) It is an endemic species that is at the lowest level of the food chain. (b) It is a representative species of all species that are threatened or endangered in the ecosystem. (c) It is a keystone species of an ecosystem without which the local food chain my collapse. (d) Its status provides information on the overall health of the ecosystem. Correct Solution: D It provides information on the overall condition of the ecosystem and of other species in that ecosystem. It reflects the quality and changes in environmental conditions as well as aspects of community composition. River otters (Lontra canadensis) can be an indicator species of clean rivers. Or presence of too much algae can be the indication of toxicity in a marine ecosystem. Incorrect Solution: D It provides information on the overall condition of the ecosystem and of other species in that ecosystem. It reflects the quality and changes in environmental conditions as well as aspects of community composition. River otters (Lontra canadensis) can be an indicator species of clean rivers. Or presence of too much algae can be the indication of toxicity in a marine ecosystem.

#### 1. Question

What do you understand by an indicator species?

• (a) It is an endemic species that is at the lowest level of the food chain.

• (b) It is a representative species of all species that are threatened or endangered in the ecosystem.

• (c) It is a keystone species of an ecosystem without which the local food chain my collapse.

• (d) Its status provides information on the overall health of the ecosystem.

Solution: D

It provides information on the overall condition of the ecosystem and of other species in that ecosystem. It reflects the quality and changes in environmental conditions as well as aspects of community composition.

River otters (Lontra canadensis) can be an indicator species of clean rivers. Or presence of too much algae can be the indication of toxicity in a marine ecosystem.

Solution: D

River otters (Lontra canadensis) can be an indicator species of clean rivers. Or presence of too much algae can be the indication of toxicity in a marine ecosystem.

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question What is a “Biotope”? (a) It is a biome that harbours all species of same phenotype. (b) It is a well-defined geographical area, characterised by specific ecological conditions. (c) It is an ecosystem that supports the genetic mutation of a contiguous ecosystem. (d) It is a community of species that reproduces entirely by asexual reproduction. Correct Solution: B Biotope is an area that is uniform in environmental conditions and in its distribution of animal and plant life. It is often used interchangeably with the world habitat. A biotope is generally not considered to be a large-scale phenomenon. For example, a biotope might be a neighbouring park, a back garden, even potted plants or a fish tank on a porch. In other words, the biotope is not a macroscopic but a microscopic approach to preserving the ecosystem and biological diversity. Phenotype is the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment. Incorrect Solution: B Biotope is an area that is uniform in environmental conditions and in its distribution of animal and plant life. It is often used interchangeably with the world habitat. A biotope is generally not considered to be a large-scale phenomenon. For example, a biotope might be a neighbouring park, a back garden, even potted plants or a fish tank on a porch. In other words, the biotope is not a macroscopic but a microscopic approach to preserving the ecosystem and biological diversity. Phenotype is the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

#### 2. Question

What is a “Biotope”?

• (a) It is a biome that harbours all species of same phenotype.

• (b) It is a well-defined geographical area, characterised by specific ecological conditions.

• (c) It is an ecosystem that supports the genetic mutation of a contiguous ecosystem.

• (d) It is a community of species that reproduces entirely by asexual reproduction.

Solution: B

Biotope is an area that is uniform in environmental conditions and in its distribution of animal and plant life. It is often used interchangeably with the world habitat.

A biotope is generally not considered to be a large-scale phenomenon. For example, a biotope might be a neighbouring park, a back garden, even potted plants or a fish tank on a porch.

In other words, the biotope is not a macroscopic but a microscopic approach to preserving the ecosystem and biological diversity.

Phenotype is the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

Solution: B

Biotope is an area that is uniform in environmental conditions and in its distribution of animal and plant life. It is often used interchangeably with the world habitat.

A biotope is generally not considered to be a large-scale phenomenon. For example, a biotope might be a neighbouring park, a back garden, even potted plants or a fish tank on a porch.

In other words, the biotope is not a macroscopic but a microscopic approach to preserving the ecosystem and biological diversity.

Phenotype is the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question What do you understand by Ecological footprint? (a) The way in which ecological agents reveal their preferences through ecological activity (b) A degree of impairment to an ecosystem, which when surpassed is too severe to allow recovery of that ecosystem (c) An index of the area of a productive ecosystem required to produce the resources used and to assimilate the wastes produced by a defined population (d) Non-monetary assessment of ecosystem integrity, health or resilience Correct Solution: C As per the Millennium Eco Assessment it is an index of the area of productive land and aquatic ecosystems required to produce the resources used and to assimilate the wastes produced by a defined population at a specified material standard of living, wherever on Earth that land may be located. Ecological footprint analysis is widely used around the Earth in support of sustainability assessments. It can be used to measure and manage the use of resources throughout the economy and explore the sustainability of individual lifestyles, goods and services, organizations, industry sectors, neighborhoods, cities, regions and nations. Incorrect Solution: C As per the Millennium Eco Assessment it is an index of the area of productive land and aquatic ecosystems required to produce the resources used and to assimilate the wastes produced by a defined population at a specified material standard of living, wherever on Earth that land may be located. Ecological footprint analysis is widely used around the Earth in support of sustainability assessments. It can be used to measure and manage the use of resources throughout the economy and explore the sustainability of individual lifestyles, goods and services, organizations, industry sectors, neighborhoods, cities, regions and nations.

#### 3. Question

What do you understand by Ecological footprint?

• (a) The way in which ecological agents reveal their preferences through ecological activity

• (b) A degree of impairment to an ecosystem, which when surpassed is too severe to allow recovery of that ecosystem

• (c) An index of the area of a productive ecosystem required to produce the resources used and to assimilate the wastes produced by a defined population

• (d) Non-monetary assessment of ecosystem integrity, health or resilience

Solution: C

As per the Millennium Eco Assessment it is an index of the area of productive land and aquatic ecosystems required to produce the resources used and to assimilate the wastes produced by a defined population at a specified material standard of living, wherever on Earth that land may be located.

Ecological footprint analysis is widely used around the Earth in support of sustainability assessments.

It can be used to measure and manage the use of resources throughout the economy and explore the sustainability of individual lifestyles, goods and services, organizations, industry sectors, neighborhoods, cities, regions and nations.

Solution: C

Ecological footprint analysis is widely used around the Earth in support of sustainability assessments.

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Humus is the dark organic matter that forms in the soil when plant and animal matter decays. Consider the following statements in this context. Humus contributes to moisture retention in the soil by increasing micro-porosity. Humus contains nitrogen that is essential for plant growth and helps in nutrient retention. 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: D Humus should be differentiated from decomposing organic matter. The latter is rough- looking material and remains of the original plant are still visible. Fully humified organic matter, on the other hand, has a uniform dark, spongy, jelly-like appearance, and is amorphous. It may remain like this for millennia or more. The process of humification can occur naturally in soil, or in the production of compost. Humus has a characteristic black or dark brown color and is organic due to an accumulation of organic carbon. The rate at which raw organic matter is converted into humus promotes (when fast) or limits (when slow) the coexistence of plants, animals, and microbes in soil. Effective humus and stable humus are further sources of nutrients to microbes, the former provides a readily available supply, and the latter acts as a longer-term storage reservoir. Incorrect Solution: D Humus should be differentiated from decomposing organic matter. The latter is rough- looking material and remains of the original plant are still visible. Fully humified organic matter, on the other hand, has a uniform dark, spongy, jelly-like appearance, and is amorphous. It may remain like this for millennia or more. The process of humification can occur naturally in soil, or in the production of compost. Humus has a characteristic black or dark brown color and is organic due to an accumulation of organic carbon. The rate at which raw organic matter is converted into humus promotes (when fast) or limits (when slow) the coexistence of plants, animals, and microbes in soil. Effective humus and stable humus are further sources of nutrients to microbes, the former provides a readily available supply, and the latter acts as a longer-term storage reservoir.

#### 4. Question

Humus is the dark organic matter that forms in the soil when plant and animal matter decays.

Consider the following statements in this context.

• Humus contributes to moisture retention in the soil by increasing micro-porosity.

• Humus contains nitrogen that is essential for plant growth and helps in nutrient retention.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

• (a) 1 only

• (b) 2 only

• (c) Both 1 and 2

• (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: D

Humus should be differentiated from decomposing organic matter. The latter is rough- looking material and remains of the original plant are still visible. Fully humified organic matter, on the other hand, has a uniform dark, spongy, jelly-like appearance, and is amorphous. It may remain like this for millennia or more.

The process of humification can occur naturally in soil, or in the production of compost.

Humus has a characteristic black or dark brown color and is organic due to an accumulation of organic carbon.

The rate at which raw organic matter is converted into humus promotes (when fast) or limits (when slow) the coexistence of plants, animals, and microbes in soil.

Effective humus and stable humus are further sources of nutrients to microbes, the former provides a readily available supply, and the latter acts as a longer-term storage reservoir.

Solution: D

The process of humification can occur naturally in soil, or in the production of compost.

Humus has a characteristic black or dark brown color and is organic due to an accumulation of organic carbon.

The rate at which raw organic matter is converted into humus promotes (when fast) or limits (when slow) the coexistence of plants, animals, and microbes in soil.

Effective humus and stable humus are further sources of nutrients to microbes, the former provides a readily available supply, and the latter acts as a longer-term storage reservoir.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question In what ways do naturally-occurring wildfires play an integral role in nature? They act as a disinfectant They help return nutrients to the soil They allow sunlight to reach the forest floor, enabling a new generation of seedlings to grow Select the correct answer code: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Correct Solution: D “Although often harmful and destructive to humans, naturally occurring wildfires play an integral role in nature. They return nutrients to the soil by burning dead or decaying matter. They also act as a disinfectant, removing disease-ridden plants and harmful insects from a forest ecosystem. And by burning through thick canopies and brushy undergrowth, wildfires allow sunlight to reach the forest floor, enabling a new generation of seedlings to grow.” Incorrect Solution: D “Although often harmful and destructive to humans, naturally occurring wildfires play an integral role in nature. They return nutrients to the soil by burning dead or decaying matter. They also act as a disinfectant, removing disease-ridden plants and harmful insects from a forest ecosystem. And by burning through thick canopies and brushy undergrowth, wildfires allow sunlight to reach the forest floor, enabling a new generation of seedlings to grow.”

#### 5. Question

In what ways do naturally-occurring wildfires play an integral role in nature?

• They act as a disinfectant

• They help return nutrients to the soil

• They allow sunlight to reach the forest floor, enabling a new generation of seedlings to grow

Select the correct answer code:

• (a) 1 and 2 only

• (b) 2 and 3 only

• (c) 1 and 3 only

• (d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution: D

“Although often harmful and destructive to humans, naturally occurring wildfires play an integral role in nature. They return nutrients to the soil by burning dead or decaying matter. They also act as a disinfectant, removing disease-ridden plants and harmful insects from a forest ecosystem. And by burning through thick canopies and brushy undergrowth, wildfires allow sunlight to reach the forest floor, enabling a new generation of seedlings to grow.”

Solution: D

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