- The species-area relationship was first described by:
a) Charles Darwin
b) Alexander von Humboldt
c) Alfred Wallace
d) Ernst Mayr
Answer: b) Alexander von Humboldt
Explanation: Alexander von Humboldt observed that within a region, species richness increases with increasing explored area but only up to a limit. This relationship is mathematically described as S=CA^z where S is species richness, A is area, and C and Z are constants.
- Which of the following is a man-made cause for biodiversity loss?
a) Volcanoes
b) Floods
c) Pollution
d) Earthquakes
Answer: c) Pollution
Explanation: Pollution is a significant human-induced cause of biodiversity loss, particularly air, water, and soil pollution, which negatively affect species and ecosystems.
- Which of the following is the most biodiversity-rich ecosystem?
a) Desert
b) Coral reefs
c) Mangroves
d) Temperate forests
Answer: b) Coral reefs
Explanation: Coral reefs are often referred to as the “rainforests of the sea” due to their incredible species diversity and ecosystem productivity.
- Which category in the IUCN Red List includes species with no known individuals surviving?
a) Vulnerable
b) Extinct
c) Endangered
d) Critically endangered
Answer: b) Extinct
Explanation: A species is categorized as extinct when no individuals are known to exist after thorough searches in their natural habitats.
- Which of the following is NOT an example of an ex situ conservation method?
a) Cryopreservation
b) Seed banks
c) Wildlife sanctuary
d) Botanical garden
Answer: c) Wildlife sanctuary
Explanation: Wildlife sanctuaries are examples of in situ conservation methods, where species are protected in their natural habitats.
- Which of the following is NOT a biodiversity hotspot in India?
a) Western Ghats
b) Indo-Burma
c) Sundarbans
d) Himalayas
Answer: c) Sundarbans
Explanation: The Sundarbans is an ecologically important region but not classified as a biodiversity hotspot. The Western Ghats, Indo-Burma, and the Himalayas are recognized hotspots.
- Species which are found only in a particular region are called:
a) Native species
b) Exotic species
c) Endemic species
d) Keystone species
Answer: c) Endemic species
Explanation: Endemic species are those that are found in a specific geographic location and nowhere else in the world.
- Which of the following is an example of a keystone species?
a) Tigers in tropical forests
b) Blue whales in the ocean
c) Elephants in African savannas
d) Pandas in China
Answer: c) Elephants in African savannas
Explanation: Elephants are keystone species because they play a crucial role in maintaining the structure of the ecosystem. They help in seed dispersal and create clearings that other species use.
- The correct sequence in decreasing order of biodiversity among the following ecosystems is:
a) Mangroves > Coral reefs > Desert
b) Coral reefs > Tropical rainforests > Temperate forests
c) Tropical rainforests > Coral reefs > Deserts
d) Deserts > Coral reefs > Temperate forests
Answer: b) Coral reefs > Tropical rainforests > Temperate forests
Explanation: Coral reefs are the most diverse, followed by tropical rainforests and temperate forests. Deserts generally have lower biodiversity compared to other ecosystems.
- Which of the following is NOT a criterion for designating a region as a biodiversity hotspot?
a) High species richness
b) High levels of endemism
c) Low human population density
d) High threat from human activities
Answer: c) Low human population density
Explanation: A biodiversity hotspot is designated based on high species richness, high levels of endemism, and being under significant threat from human activities, not based on population density.
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