1. Which of the following World Heritage Sites is/are also a tiger reserve?
1. Sundarbans
2. Nanda Devi
3. Manas
4. Kaziranga
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 1 and 4 only
d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer & Explanation
d) 1, 3 and 4 only. Please go through the list of World heritage sites, tiger reserves, biological reserves, wetlands etc carefully. One or two question is sure from these. Kaziranga is a tiger reserve since 2006.
2. With reference to ground level ozone (GLO), consider the following statements:
1. GLO reach unhealthy levels on cold days.
2. They can be transported long distances by wind.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer & Explanation
b) 2 only. GLO reach unhealthy levels on warm sunny days. They can be transported long distances by wind and thus also impact rural areas.
3. Consider the following statements:
1. IUCN classify protected areas according to their management objectives.
2. National parks of India are in the category IUCN 1.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer & Explanation
a) 1 only. IUCN protected area management categories classify protected areas according to their management objectives. The National parks of India are in the category IUCN 2. II National Park Category II protected areas are large natural or near natural areas set aside to protect large-scale ecological processes, along with the complement of species and ecosystems characteristic of the area, which also provide a foundation for environmentally and culturally compatible, spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational, and visitor opportunities. Read more –
http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/gpap_home/gpap_quality/gpap_pacategories/
4. Soil acidification can occur due to
1. heavy rainfall
2. application of fertilizer
3. shifting cultivation
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer & Explanation
a) 1 and 2 only. Soil acidification is a natural process accelerated by agriculture. Soil acidifies because the concentration of hydrogen ions in the soil increases. The main cause of soil acidification is inefficient use of nitrogen fertilizer. Heavy rainfall may also lead to soil acidification as the bases in soils are washed away. Shifting cultivation does not lead to soil acidification, although it leads to generating infertile soil. Read more –
https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/soil-acidity/causes-soil-acidity5. Ecosystem provides various services. Which of the following is/are supporting services?
1. nutrient recycling
2. medicinal resources
3. carbon sequestration
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1 and 3 only
a) 1 only.
6. In context of ecology, the term ‘carrying capacity’ of a species means
a) the highest amount of stress it can withstand.
b) Resources that it consumes.
c) Its population size that the environment can sustain indefinitely
d) none
Answer & Explanation
c) Its population size that the environment can sustain indefinitely. The carrying capacity of a biological species in an environment is the maximum population size of the species that the environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water, and other necessities available in the environment
7. Who among the following can alter the boundaries of a national park?
1. Parliament
2. State legislature
3. Ministry of environment and forest.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 only
d) 2 and 3 only
Answer & Explanation
c) 2 only. Once constituted, boundaries of the National Park can be altered only on a resolution of the State Legislature. More information – A National Park is an area established under section 35 (4) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and no right is allowed within the National Park. Grazing is prohibited in these areas and the general public is legally restrained from destroying, exploiting, or removing any wildlife from the National Park, or destroying or damaging the habitat of any wild animal, or depriving any wild animal of its habitat in the Park. National Parks have a clearly defined core and buffer zones. Whereas, the core zone is free from any local rights and acts as sanctum sanctorum to allow wildlife to enjoy protected natural habitat, the buffer zone absorbs most of the impact of human activities.
8. Consider the following statements about ecosystem stability:
1. It increases with increase of number of links in the food web.
2. It increases with the increase in length of food chain.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer & Explanation
a) 1 only. A diverse ecosystem is more stable. More number of links in food web signifies a diverse ecosystem and hence a more stable one. Each organism then have a variety of food sources However, longer food chains are not good. A short food chain plus a large number of links in food web signify a stable ecosystem
9. Earthworms help in improving the soil health by
1. stimulating microbial activity
2. mixing up the soil
3. decreasing infiltration
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer & Explanation
a) 1 and 2 only. Earthworms increases infiltration and not decrease them. Earthworms dramatically alter soil structure, water movement, nutrient dynamics, and plant growth. Stimulate microbial activity. Although earthworms derive their nutrition from microorganisms, many more microorganisms are present in their feces or casts than in the organic matter that they consume. Mix and aggregate soil. As they consume organic matter and mineral particles, earthworms excrete wastes in the form of casts, a type of soil aggregate. Increase infiltration. Earthworms enhance porosity as they move through the soil. Some species make permanent burrows deep into the soil. Read more –
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/soils/health/biology/?cid=nrcs142p2_05386310. Consider the following statements
1. As a greenhouse gas (GHG) methane is even more harmful than carbon dioxide
2. Methane has been included in the list of six GHGs in Kyoto Protocol.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer & Explanation
c) both 1 and 2. The six main greenhouse gases are – • Carbon dioxide (CO2); • Methane (CH4); • Nitrous oxide (N2O); • Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs); • Perfluorocarbons (PFCs); and • Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). Methane (CH4) is the second most important greenhouse gas. CH4 is more potent than CO2 because the radiative forcing produced per molecule is greater. In addition, the infrared window is less saturated in the range of wavelengths of radiation absorbed by CH4, so more molecules may fill in the region.
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Please read these important articles about prelims preparation
1. How UPSC asks current affairs in GS Prelims
2. How to practice prelims MCQs for UPSC
3. Applying logic in UPSC General Studies Prelims
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