UPSC Static Quiz – Environment : 23 July 2024

UPSC Static Quiz – Environment : 23 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 In terms of self-sustenance and endurance, which among the following is the most stable ecosystem? a) Desert a) Desert c) Mountains d) Ocean Correct Solution: d) Ocean is a self-sustaining ecosystem and covers nearly 2/3rd of earth’s area. It is the oldest ecosystem. It is least affected by natural calamities. It is a highly diverse (from phytoplankton to sea grass to whales) and productive ecosystem and contains earliest evolutionary life forms. The evolutionary history has also been more stable than in terrestrial environments. Incorrect Solution: d) Ocean is a self-sustaining ecosystem and covers nearly 2/3rd of earth’s area. It is the oldest ecosystem. It is least affected by natural calamities. It is a highly diverse (from phytoplankton to sea grass to whales) and productive ecosystem and contains earliest evolutionary life forms. The evolutionary history has also been more stable than in terrestrial environments.

#### 1. Question

In terms of self-sustenance and endurance, which among the following is the most stable ecosystem?

• c) Mountains

Solution: d)

Ocean is a self-sustaining ecosystem and covers nearly 2/3rd of earth’s area. It is the oldest ecosystem. It is least affected by natural calamities.

It is a highly diverse (from phytoplankton to sea grass to whales) and productive ecosystem and contains earliest evolutionary life forms. The evolutionary history has also been more stable than in terrestrial environments.

Solution: d)

Ocean is a self-sustaining ecosystem and covers nearly 2/3rd of earth’s area. It is the oldest ecosystem. It is least affected by natural calamities.

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Tropics harbour more species than temperate or polar areas. What could be the possible reasons that tropics account for greater biological diversity than temperate regions. Unlike temperate regions which were subjected to frequent glaciations in the past, tropical latitudes have remained relatively undisturbed for millions of years. There is more solar energy available in the tropics. Tropical environments are less seasonal, relatively more constant and predictable unlike temperate regions. How many of the above statements is/are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Correct Solution: c) What is so special about tropics that might account for their greater biological diversity? Ecologists and evolutionary biologists have proposed various hypotheses; some important ones are (a) Speciation is generally a function of time, unlike temperate regions subjected to frequent glaciations in the past, tropical latitudes have remained relatively undisturbed for millions of years and thus, had a long evolutionary time for species diversification, (b) Tropical environments, unlike temperate ones, are less seasonal, relatively more constant and predictable. Such constant environments promote niche specialisation and lead to a greater species diversity and (c) There is more solar energy available in the tropics, which contributes to higher productivity; this in turn might contribute indirectly to greater diversity. Incorrect Solution: c) What is so special about tropics that might account for their greater biological diversity? Ecologists and evolutionary biologists have proposed various hypotheses; some important ones are (a) Speciation is generally a function of time, unlike temperate regions subjected to frequent glaciations in the past, tropical latitudes have remained relatively undisturbed for millions of years and thus, had a long evolutionary time for species diversification, (b) Tropical environments, unlike temperate ones, are less seasonal, relatively more constant and predictable. Such constant environments promote niche specialisation and lead to a greater species diversity and (c) There is more solar energy available in the tropics, which contributes to higher productivity; this in turn might contribute indirectly to greater diversity.

#### 2. Question

Tropics harbour more species than temperate or polar areas. What could be the possible reasons that tropics account for greater biological diversity than temperate regions.

• Unlike temperate regions which were subjected to frequent glaciations in the past, tropical latitudes have remained relatively undisturbed for millions of years.

• There is more solar energy available in the tropics.

• Tropical environments are less seasonal, relatively more constant and predictable unlike temperate regions.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• (a) Only one

• (b) Only two

• (c) All three

Solution: c)

What is so special about tropics that might account for their greater biological diversity? Ecologists and evolutionary biologists have proposed various hypotheses; some important ones are

(a) Speciation is generally a function of time, unlike temperate regions subjected to frequent glaciations in the past, tropical latitudes have remained relatively undisturbed for millions of years and thus, had a long evolutionary time for species diversification,

(b) Tropical environments, unlike temperate ones, are less seasonal, relatively more constant and predictable. Such constant environments promote niche specialisation and lead to a greater species diversity and

(c) There is more solar energy available in the tropics, which contributes to higher productivity; this in turn might contribute indirectly to greater diversity.

Solution: c)

What is so special about tropics that might account for their greater biological diversity? Ecologists and evolutionary biologists have proposed various hypotheses; some important ones are

(c) There is more solar energy available in the tropics, which contributes to higher productivity; this in turn might contribute indirectly to greater diversity.

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Consider the following statements regarding food chain in ecosystem: In an aquatic ecosystem, more energy flows through detritus food chain than grazing food chain. In a terrestrial ecosystem larger fraction of energy flow through detritus food chain than grazing food chain. Only 10% of energy is lost in energy flow across different trophic levels. Which of the above statements is/are correct? a) 1, 2 b) 2 only c) 2, 3 d) 1, 2, 3 Correct Solution: b) In an aquatic ecosystem, grazing food chain is the major conduit for energy flow. As against this, in a terrestrial ecosystem, a much larger fraction of energy flows through the detritus food chain than through the grazing food chain. When energy is passed in an ecosystem from one trophic level to the next, only ten percent of the energy will be passed. Around 90% of energy will be lost. Incorrect Solution: b) In an aquatic ecosystem, grazing food chain is the major conduit for energy flow. As against this, in a terrestrial ecosystem, a much larger fraction of energy flows through the detritus food chain than through the grazing food chain. When energy is passed in an ecosystem from one trophic level to the next, only ten percent of the energy will be passed. Around 90% of energy will be lost.

#### 3. Question

Consider the following statements regarding food chain in ecosystem:

• In an aquatic ecosystem, more energy flows through detritus food chain than grazing food chain.

• In a terrestrial ecosystem larger fraction of energy flow through detritus food chain than grazing food chain.

• Only 10% of energy is lost in energy flow across different trophic levels.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• d) 1, 2, 3

Solution: b)

In an aquatic ecosystem, grazing food chain is the major conduit for energy flow. As against this, in a terrestrial ecosystem, a much larger fraction of energy flows through the detritus food chain than through the grazing food chain.

When energy is passed in an ecosystem from one trophic level to the next, only ten percent of the energy will be passed. Around 90% of energy will be lost.

Solution: b)

When energy is passed in an ecosystem from one trophic level to the next, only ten percent of the energy will be passed. Around 90% of energy will be lost.

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Which of the following statements is incorrectly stated? a) Alpha diversity refers to diversity within a particular area or ecosystem. b) Food chain is more comprehensive than food web in displaying possible transfers of energy. c) Food chain implies a simple isolated relationship which seldom occurs in an ecosystem. d) None of the statements (a), (b), and (c) are incorrect. Correct Solution: b) Alpha diversity Alpha diversity describes the species diversity within a community at a small scale or local scale, generally the size of one ecosystem. When we casually speak of diversity in an area, more often than not it refers to alpha diversity. Beta diversity Beta diversity describes the species diversity between two communities or ecosystems. It is at a larger scale, and looks to compare the species diversity between two separate entities that are often divided by a clear geographical barrier like a river or a mountain ridge. Gamma diversity Gamma diversity is studied at a very large scale—a biome—where species diversity is compared between many ecosystems. It could range over areas like the entire slope of a mountain, or the entire littoral zone of a sea shore. Example: Let’s take a mountain slope as our landscape. On this slope, there will be many different patches of forests and grasslands. Alpha diversity is the species diversity present within each forest or grassland patch of the slope. Beta diversity is represented by the species diversity between any two patches and their communities. Gamma diversity of the landscape is the species diversity along the entire range of the mountain slope. Food web is more comprehensive than food chain. Incorrect Solution: b) Alpha diversity Alpha diversity describes the species diversity within a community at a small scale or local scale, generally the size of one ecosystem. When we casually speak of diversity in an area, more often than not it refers to alpha diversity. Beta diversity Beta diversity describes the species diversity between two communities or ecosystems. It is at a larger scale, and looks to compare the species diversity between two separate entities that are often divided by a clear geographical barrier like a river or a mountain ridge. Gamma diversity Gamma diversity is studied at a very large scale—a biome—where species diversity is compared between many ecosystems. It could range over areas like the entire slope of a mountain, or the entire littoral zone of a sea shore. Example: Let’s take a mountain slope as our landscape. On this slope, there will be many different patches of forests and grasslands. Alpha diversity is the species diversity present within each forest or grassland patch of the slope. Beta diversity is represented by the species diversity between any two patches and their communities. Gamma diversity of the landscape is the species diversity along the entire range of the mountain slope. Food web is more comprehensive than food chain.

#### 4. Question

Which of the following statements is incorrectly stated?

• a) Alpha diversity refers to diversity within a particular area or ecosystem.

• b) Food chain is more comprehensive than food web in displaying possible transfers of energy.

• c) Food chain implies a simple isolated relationship which seldom occurs in an ecosystem.

• d) None of the statements (a), (b), and (c) are incorrect.

Solution: b)

Alpha diversity

Alpha diversity describes the species diversity within a community at a small scale or local scale, generally the size of one ecosystem. When we casually speak of diversity in an area, more often than not it refers to alpha diversity.

Beta diversity

Beta diversity describes the species diversity between two communities or ecosystems. It is at a larger scale, and looks to compare the species diversity between two separate entities that are often divided by a clear geographical barrier like a river or a mountain ridge.

Gamma diversity

Gamma diversity is studied at a very large scale—a biome—where species diversity is compared between many ecosystems. It could range over areas like the entire slope of a mountain, or the entire littoral zone of a sea shore.

Example: Let’s take a mountain slope as our landscape. On this slope, there will be many different patches of forests and grasslands. Alpha diversity is the species diversity present within each forest or grassland patch of the slope. Beta diversity is represented by the species diversity between any two patches and their communities. Gamma diversity of the landscape is the species diversity along the entire range of the mountain slope.

Food web is more comprehensive than food chain.

Solution: b)

Alpha diversity

Beta diversity

Gamma diversity

Food web is more comprehensive than food chain.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, which of the following conditions must be met The biodiversity of the region is threatened. Zones of High endemism Areas where Ecological succession occur Select the correct answer code: a) 1, 2 b) 2, 3 c) 1, 3 d) 1, 2, 3 Correct Solution: a) To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria: It must have at least 1,500 vascular plants as endemics — which is to say, it must have a high percentage of plant life found nowhere else on the planet. A hotspot, in other words, is irreplaceable. It must have 30% or less of its original natural vegetation. In other words, it must be threatened. Incorrect Solution: a) To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria: It must have at least 1,500 vascular plants as endemics — which is to say, it must have a high percentage of plant life found nowhere else on the planet. A hotspot, in other words, is irreplaceable. It must have 30% or less of its original natural vegetation. In other words, it must be threatened.

#### 5. Question

To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, which of the following conditions must be met

• The biodiversity of the region is threatened.

• Zones of High endemism

• Areas where Ecological succession occur

Select the correct answer code:

• d) 1, 2, 3

Solution: a)

To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria:

• It must have at least 1,500 vascular plants as endemics — which is to say, it must have a high percentage of plant life found nowhere else on the planet. A hotspot, in other words, is irreplaceable.

• It must have 30% or less of its original natural vegetation. In other words, it must be threatened.

Solution: a)

To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria:

• It must have 30% or less of its original natural vegetation. In other words, it must be threatened.

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