UPSC Static Quiz – Environment : 17 May 2025

UPSC Static Quiz – Environment : 17 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 Consider the following statements regarding the significance of mangroves. Mangrove forests consists of trees and shrub and live in intertidal water in coastal areas. Mangrove forests can both aid in removal of carbon from the atmosphere and prevent the release of the same upon their destruction. They also support a rich food web. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: c) Mangroves have been the focus of conservationists for years and it is difficult to overstate their importance in the global climate context. Mangrove forests — consisting of trees and shrub that live in intertidal water in coastal areas — host diverse marine life. They also support a rich food web, with molluscs and algae-filled substrate acting as a breeding ground for small fish, mud crabs and shrimps, thus providing a livelihood to local artisanal fishers. Equally importantly, they act as effective carbon stores, holding up to four times the amount of carbon as other forested ecosystems. Mangrove forests capture vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and their preservation can both aid in removal of carbon from the atmosphere and prevent the release of the same upon their destruction. Incorrect Solution: c) Mangroves have been the focus of conservationists for years and it is difficult to overstate their importance in the global climate context. Mangrove forests — consisting of trees and shrub that live in intertidal water in coastal areas — host diverse marine life. They also support a rich food web, with molluscs and algae-filled substrate acting as a breeding ground for small fish, mud crabs and shrimps, thus providing a livelihood to local artisanal fishers. Equally importantly, they act as effective carbon stores, holding up to four times the amount of carbon as other forested ecosystems. Mangrove forests capture vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and their preservation can both aid in removal of carbon from the atmosphere and prevent the release of the same upon their destruction.

#### 1. Question

Consider the following statements regarding the significance of mangroves.

• Mangrove forests consists of trees and shrub and live in intertidal water in coastal areas.

• Mangrove forests can both aid in removal of carbon from the atmosphere and prevent the release of the same upon their destruction.

• They also support a rich food web.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: c)

Mangroves have been the focus of conservationists for years and it is difficult to overstate their importance in the global climate context. Mangrove forests — consisting of trees and shrub that live in intertidal water in coastal areas — host diverse marine life. They also support a rich food web, with molluscs and algae-filled substrate acting as a breeding ground for small fish, mud crabs and shrimps, thus providing a livelihood to local artisanal fishers.

Equally importantly, they act as effective carbon stores, holding up to four times the amount of carbon as other forested ecosystems. Mangrove forests capture vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and their preservation can both aid in removal of carbon from the atmosphere and prevent the release of the same upon their destruction.

Solution: c)

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Consider the following statements regarding Peatlands. Peatlands are wetlands where permanently waterlogged conditions prevent the 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: b) Statement 3 is incorrect. 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: b) Statement 3 is incorrect. 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.

#### 2. Question

Consider the following statements regarding Peatlands.

• Peatlands are wetlands where permanently waterlogged conditions prevent the 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: b)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

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: b)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

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.

• 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 3 of 5 3. Question Consider the following statements regarding Dissolved oxygen. In fresh water the average concentration of dissolved oxygen is 150 times lower than the concentration of oxygen in an equivalent volume of air. Dissolved oxygen escapes the water body through respiration of fish and zooplanktons. Increasing the temperature of a waterbody increases the dissolved oxygen in that waterbody. How many of the above statements is/are incorrect? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: a) Statement 3 is incorrect. Dissolved oxygen: In aquatic ecosystems oxygen is dissolved in water, where its concentration varies constantly depending on factors that influence the input and output of oxygen in water. In fresh water the average concentration of dissolved oxygen is 0.0010 per cent (also expressed as 10 parts per million or 10 ppm) by weight, which is 150 times lower than the concentration of oxygen in an equivalent volume of air. Oxygen enters the aquatic ecosystem through the air water interface and by the photosynthetic activities of aquatic plants. Therefore, the quantity of dissolved oxygen present in an ecosystem depends on the rate at which the aforesaid two processes occur. Dissolved oxygen escapes the water body through airwater interface and through respiration of organisms (fish, decomposers, zooplanktons, etc). The amount of dissolved oxygen retained in water is also influenced by temperature. Oxygen is less soluble in warm water. Warm water also enhances decomposer activity. Therefore, increasing the temperature of a waterbody increases the rate at which oxygen is depleted from water. When the dissolved oxygen level falls below 3-5 ppm, many aquatic organisms are likely to die. Incorrect Solution: a) Statement 3 is incorrect. Dissolved oxygen: In aquatic ecosystems oxygen is dissolved in water, where its concentration varies constantly depending on factors that influence the input and output of oxygen in water. In fresh water the average concentration of dissolved oxygen is 0.0010 per cent (also expressed as 10 parts per million or 10 ppm) by weight, which is 150 times lower than the concentration of oxygen in an equivalent volume of air. Oxygen enters the aquatic ecosystem through the air water interface and by the photosynthetic activities of aquatic plants. Therefore, the quantity of dissolved oxygen present in an ecosystem depends on the rate at which the aforesaid two processes occur. Dissolved oxygen escapes the water body through airwater interface and through respiration of organisms (fish, decomposers, zooplanktons, etc). The amount of dissolved oxygen retained in water is also influenced by temperature. Oxygen is less soluble in warm water. Warm water also enhances decomposer activity. Therefore, increasing the temperature of a waterbody increases the rate at which oxygen is depleted from water. When the dissolved oxygen level falls below 3-5 ppm, many aquatic organisms are likely to die.

#### 3. Question

Consider the following statements regarding Dissolved oxygen.

• In fresh water the average concentration of dissolved oxygen is 150 times lower than the concentration of oxygen in an equivalent volume of air.

• Dissolved oxygen escapes the water body through respiration of fish and zooplanktons.

• Increasing the temperature of a waterbody increases the dissolved oxygen in that waterbody.

How many of the above statements is/are incorrect?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: a)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

Dissolved oxygen:

• In aquatic ecosystems oxygen is dissolved in water, where its concentration varies constantly depending on factors that influence the input and output of oxygen in water.

• In fresh water the average concentration of dissolved oxygen is 0.0010 per cent (also expressed as 10 parts per million or 10 ppm) by weight, which is 150 times lower than the concentration of oxygen in an equivalent volume of air.

• Oxygen enters the aquatic ecosystem through the air water interface and by the photosynthetic activities of aquatic plants.

• Therefore, the quantity of dissolved oxygen present in an ecosystem depends on the rate at which the aforesaid two processes occur.

• Dissolved oxygen escapes the water body through airwater interface and through respiration of organisms (fish, decomposers, zooplanktons, etc).

• The amount of dissolved oxygen retained in water is also influenced by temperature. Oxygen is less soluble in warm water. Warm water also enhances decomposer activity. Therefore, increasing the temperature of a waterbody increases the rate at which oxygen is depleted from water.

• When the dissolved oxygen level falls below 3-5 ppm, many aquatic organisms are likely to die.

Solution: a)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

Dissolved oxygen:

• In aquatic ecosystems oxygen is dissolved in water, where its concentration varies constantly depending on factors that influence the input and output of oxygen in water.

• Oxygen enters the aquatic ecosystem through the air water interface and by the photosynthetic activities of aquatic plants.

• Therefore, the quantity of dissolved oxygen present in an ecosystem depends on the rate at which the aforesaid two processes occur.

• Dissolved oxygen escapes the water body through airwater interface and through respiration of organisms (fish, decomposers, zooplanktons, etc).

• When the dissolved oxygen level falls below 3-5 ppm, many aquatic organisms are likely to die.

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Consider the following statements regarding Food chains. The grazing food chain is found in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem. The grazing and detritus food chains are not interlinked. The initial energy source for detritus food chain is dead organic matter. 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. A sequence of organisms that feed on one another, forma food chain. In nature, two main types of food chains have been found: Grazing food chain and Detritus food chain. The grazing food chain starts with producers or autotrophs as base, which is consumed by heterotrophs. It is found in both Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The Detritus food chain starts from dead organic ‘matter of decaying animals and plant bodies to the microorganisms and then to detritus feeding organism called detrivores or decomposer and to other predators. The two food chains are linked as the initial energy source for detritus food chain is the waste materials and dead organic matter from the grazing food chain. Incorrect Solution: b) Statement 2 is incorrect. A sequence of organisms that feed on one another, forma food chain. In nature, two main types of food chains have been found: Grazing food chain and Detritus food chain. The grazing food chain starts with producers or autotrophs as base, which is consumed by heterotrophs. It is found in both Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The Detritus food chain starts from dead organic ‘matter of decaying animals and plant bodies to the microorganisms and then to detritus feeding organism called detrivores or decomposer and to other predators. The two food chains are linked as the initial energy source for detritus food chain is the waste materials and dead organic matter from the grazing food chain.

#### 4. Question

Consider the following statements regarding Food chains.

• The grazing food chain is found in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem.

• The grazing and detritus food chains are not interlinked.

• The initial energy source for detritus food chain is dead organic matter.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• (a) Only one

• (b) Only two

• (c) All three

Solution: b)

Statement 2 is incorrect.

• A sequence of organisms that feed on one another, forma food chain. In nature, two main types of food chains have been found: Grazing food chain and Detritus food chain.

• The grazing food chain starts with producers or autotrophs as base, which is consumed by heterotrophs. It is found in both Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

• The Detritus food chain starts from dead organic ‘matter of decaying animals and plant bodies to the microorganisms and then to detritus feeding organism called detrivores or decomposer and to other predators.

• The two food chains are linked as the initial energy source for detritus food chain is the waste materials and dead organic matter from the grazing food chain.

Solution: b)

Statement 2 is incorrect.

• A sequence of organisms that feed on one another, forma food chain. In nature, two main types of food chains have been found: Grazing food chain and Detritus food chain.

• The grazing food chain starts with producers or autotrophs as base, which is consumed by heterotrophs. It is found in both Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

• The two food chains are linked as the initial energy source for detritus food chain is the waste materials and dead organic matter from the grazing food chain.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Consider the following statements regarding Kelp forests. Kelp forests are underwater areas which provide food and shelter for fish, invertebrates and marine mammal species. They offer crucial services such as carbon sequestration and erosion control. Bryozoa are highly beneficial for increasing the productivity of kelp forests. Which of the above statements is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Correct Solution: c) Kelps cover 25 percent of the world’s coastlines and provide food and shelter for fish, invertebrates and marine mammal species. They also offer crucial services such as carbon sequestration and erosion control, according to scientists. But kelps are increasingly threatened by climate change, eutrophication and shoreline development, among other human-induced stressors. One such threat is from bryozoa, moss animals that grow as mats on kelps. They drive the seaweed to sink into the seafloor and disintegrate. The outbreak can be linked to high temperatures. For example, in 2015, researchers observed an expansive outbreak of bryozoa. These observations coincided with ‘the blob’, a marine heat wave that emerged across the northeast Pacific Ocean, according to a report. Dense kelp beds in warmer and less wave-exposed sites are more susceptible to bryozoan outbreaks. Seaweeds are farmed as they have industrial applications. They can be harvested to extract biostimulants for plant growth. They also can help in long-term carbon sequestration and regeneration of ocean habitats. Incorrect Solution: c) Kelps cover 25 percent of the world’s coastlines and provide food and shelter for fish, invertebrates and marine mammal species. They also offer crucial services such as carbon sequestration and erosion control, according to scientists. But kelps are increasingly threatened by climate change, eutrophication and shoreline development, among other human-induced stressors. One such threat is from bryozoa, moss animals that grow as mats on kelps. They drive the seaweed to sink into the seafloor and disintegrate. The outbreak can be linked to high temperatures. For example, in 2015, researchers observed an expansive outbreak of bryozoa. These observations coincided with ‘the blob’, a marine heat wave that emerged across the northeast Pacific Ocean, according to a report. Dense kelp beds in warmer and less wave-exposed sites are more susceptible to bryozoan outbreaks. Seaweeds are farmed as they have industrial applications. They can be harvested to extract biostimulants for plant growth. They also can help in long-term carbon sequestration and regeneration of ocean habitats.

#### 5. Question

Consider the following statements regarding Kelp forests.

• Kelp forests are underwater areas which provide food and shelter for fish, invertebrates and marine mammal species.

• They offer crucial services such as carbon sequestration and erosion control.

• Bryozoa are highly beneficial for increasing the productivity of kelp forests.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• (a) 1 only

• (b) 1 and 3 only

• (c) 1 and 2 only

• (d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution: c)

Kelps cover 25 percent of the world’s coastlines and provide food and shelter for fish, invertebrates and marine mammal species. They also offer crucial services such as carbon sequestration and erosion control, according to scientists.

But kelps are increasingly threatened by climate change, eutrophication and shoreline development, among other human-induced stressors.

One such threat is from bryozoa, moss animals that grow as mats on kelps. They drive the seaweed to sink into the seafloor and disintegrate.

The outbreak can be linked to high temperatures. For example, in 2015, researchers observed an expansive outbreak of bryozoa. These observations coincided with ‘the blob’, a marine heat wave that emerged across the northeast Pacific Ocean, according to a report.

Dense kelp beds in warmer and less wave-exposed sites are more susceptible to bryozoan outbreaks.

Seaweeds are farmed as they have industrial applications. They can be harvested to extract biostimulants for plant growth. They also can help in long-term carbon sequestration and regeneration of ocean habitats.

Solution: c)

But kelps are increasingly threatened by climate change, eutrophication and shoreline development, among other human-induced stressors.

One such threat is from bryozoa, moss animals that grow as mats on kelps. They drive the seaweed to sink into the seafloor and disintegrate.

Dense kelp beds in warmer and less wave-exposed sites are more susceptible to bryozoan outbreaks.

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