0

Ecology and Biodiversity (CSAT)

Description: CSAT Ecology and Biodiversity
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: Environment and Ecological Issues Biodiversity General Studies CSAT Preliminary (Paper) - I Civil Services Prelims General Issues Climate Change
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

Which of the given statements is/are correct in reference to Law of the Sea Treaty?

Consider the following statements:

1. Sea baseline limit is based on territorial waters, archipelagic waters, contiguous zones, continental shelves and EEZs.

2. High seas include the water column beyond the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

3. United States has extended U.S. territorial waters from three nautical miles to twelve nautical miles for national security purpose.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Only 3

  4. All of the above

  5. None of the above


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

This statement is correct. High seas is the term used for water column beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) or beyond the territorial sea where no EEZ has been declared.

Many international cruise ship companies operating in the Baltic Sea dump their sewage straight into the water.

Which of the following refers to the hazardous environmental situation arising from instances as given above?

  1. Hypoxemia

  2. Aquatic hypoxia

  3. Eutrophication

  4. Biodilution

  5. Limnology


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Eutrophication is the increase in addition of nutrients to freshwater or marine systems. It leads to increase in plant and algae growth (biological production) and often to undesirable changes in ecosystem structure and function.

Which of the given statements is/are correct in reference to International Conventions on Environment Safety?

Consider the following statements:

1. Nagoya protocol provides a legal framework on costing and sharing of benefits arising out of genetic resources.

2. Cartagena Protocol sets rules for genetic mutations and its commercial usage.

3. Copenhagen Accord under UNFCCC promotes sustainable development.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Only 3

  4. All of the above

  5. None of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Nagoya protocol is based on genetic resources, Cartagena protocol is based on biosafety and Copenhagen Accord is based on reverse climate change.

Organisms like jellyfish, viperfish, tube worms and sea cucumbers are found in which of the following zones?

  1. Hadopelagic zone

  2. Abyssopelagic zone

  3. Bathypelagic zone

  4. Mesopelagic zone

  5. Aphotic zone


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Hadopelagic zone extends from 6,000 meters (19,686 feet) to the bottom of the deepest parts of the ocean. Invertebrates such as starfish, jellyfish, viperfish, tube worms and sea cucumbers thrive at these depths.

An area gets loads of snow during winters and loads of rains during summer. This area can be classified under which biome?

  1. The swampy coniferous forest of high northern latitudes

  2. A rolling grassland scattered with shrubs and isolated trees

  3. Vegetation having broadleaf trees, shrubs, perennial herbs and mosses

  4. Lands are snow-covered until summer brings a burst of wildflowers

  5. A very wet winter and also a very dry summer


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Correct Answer: The swampy coniferous forest of high northern latitudes

Which of the following ocean layers is known as the euphotic zone?

  1. The top sunlit zone

  2. The bottom of the sea bed

  3. The zone where water temperature is near freezing

  4. The zone where photosynthesis does not occur

  5. The zone below the thermocline and above the seabed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The top bright ocean layer is called the sunlit zone or the euphotic zone. In this zone, there is enough light for photosynthesis to take place. So, many plants and other photosynthetic organisms live in this zone as food is abundant.

The US Army Corps of Engineers demonstrated that windrowing and aeration of petroleum-contaminated soils helped in neutralising pollutants from a contaminated site.

Which of the following best describes the situation in reference to waste management?

  1. Bioleaching

  2. Mycoremediation

  3. Bioremediation

  4. Biosurfactants

  5. Biodegradation


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Bioremediation is a waste management technique that involves the use of organisms to remove or neutralise pollutants from a contaminated site.

Which of the following statements is incorrect in reference to Aichi Biodiversity Target strategic plan for the period of 2011 to 2020?

  1. It improves the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversities.

  2. It addresses the underlying cause of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government bodies and societies.

  3. It reduces the rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level.

  4. It reduces the direct pressures on biodiversity and promotes sustainable use.

  5. It enhances the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

This target was incorporated as a new target under the Millennium Development Goals by the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the United Nations General Assembly. In April 2002, the parties to the Convention committed themselves to achieve, by 2010, a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth.

Which of the following is incorrect in reference to National Forest Policy?

  1. It was passed for controlling biodiversity.

  2. Its fundamental principle is conservation of biodiversity.

  3. Its main aim was the conservation of natural heritage.

  4. Its objective was to check extension of sand dunes in desert areas of Rajasthan and along coastal tracts.

  5. None of the above


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Control of biodiversity is covered in the convention on Biological Diversity and not National Forest Policy. 

In which city was the climate change meeting held in May, 2016?

  1. Lima, Peru

  2. Kyoto, Japan

  3. Bonn, Germany

  4. Paris, France

  5. None of the above


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

IPIECA attended the most recent UN climate change meeting held in May, 2016 in Bonn, Germany. As the first official meeting of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) since the Paris Agreement was made at COP21 in December, the group was tasked with prepararing for the Paris Agreement. In her opening address, Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, acknowledged this as the time to move beyond concepts to a new reality, in a new era of collaboration.

Kyoto protocol refers to which of the following objectives of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change?

  1. Meeting the targets set out in the Marrakech Accords

  2. Reduction in emissions

  3. International water treaties

  4. International agreement on ozone depletion

  5. None of the above


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Kyoto Protocol implemented the objective of the UNFCCC to fight global warming by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. 

In reference to National Wetland policies, consider the following

  1. It shares its goals with National Environment Action Plan.
  2. It integrates with planning and decision making of other sectors.
  3. Conference of parties is held once in every three years.

Which of the following is/are correct in reference to National Wetland Policies?

  1. Only 1 and 2

  2. Only 1 and 3

  3. Only 2 and 3

  4. All of the above

  5. None of these


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All the statements are correct

Which of the following is incorrect in reference to Convention on Wetlands?

  1. A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.

  2. WWF International works with Convention to develop new wetland sites.

  3. Criterion for identifying wetlands of international importance includes wetland-dependent non-avian animal species.

  4. Mangrove Jacks are found in abundance in Hope Island.

  5. Kanjli Wetland, Deepor Beel and East Godavari riverine are among the sites of this convention.


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

Correct Answer: Kanjli Wetland, Deepor Beel and East Godavari riverine are among the sites of this convention.

Which of the following is incorrect in reference to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)?

  1. It is one of the largest and oldest conservation agreements in existence.

  2. It recognises the principle of sustainable use.

  3. It shares its mandate with that of GATT.

  4. MIKE is a programme of CITES.

  5. It is known as Washington Convention.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) is a multilateral agreement regulating international trade. Its mandates are limited to market access and non-discrimination.

Which of the following is incorrect in reference to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)?

  1. It involves data gathering and analysis, research, field projects, advocacy, lobbying and education.

  2. It aims to mobilise the public in support of nature conservation.

  3. It aims to re-evaluate the category of each species every five years.

  4. TRAFFIC is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN.

  5. Red list includes Bornean Orangutan in critically endangered category.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Unlike other international NGOs, IUCN does not aim to mobilise public in support of nature conservation. It tries to influence the actions of governments, business and other stakeholders by providing information and advice and through lobbying and partnerships.

- Hide questions