UPSC Environment and Ecology – Chapter 3: Terrestrial Ecosystems and Biomes (32 MCQs)

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UPSC Environment and Ecology – Chapter 3: Terrestrial Ecosystems and Biomes (32 MCQs) – 30 questions, subject: Environment. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The two climatic factors that mainly decide the type of biome are:

Correct Answer: A [temperature and precipitation]

Explanation:

Temperature and the amount and season of precipitation decide which biome develops; soil, fire and grazing only modify it locally.

2.  

Permanently frozen subsoil is a feature of the:

Correct Answer: B [tundra]

Explanation:

permafrost.

3.  

Which grassland is correctly matched with its continent?

Correct Answer: D [Prairies – North America]

Explanation:

The Prairies are the temperate grasslands of North America; Pampas are South American, Veld South African and Downs Australian.

4.  

A climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters is called:

Correct Answer: A [Mediterranean]

Explanation:

Hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters define the Mediterranean climate, found around the Mediterranean, in California and central Chile.

5.  

The single largest tropical peatland complex in the world lies in the:

Correct Answer: C [Congo Basin (Cuvette Centrale)]

Explanation:

The Cuvette Centrale peatland of the Congo Basin is the single largest peatland complex in the tropics (Prelims 2024).

6.  

The revised classification of Indian forest types by Champion and Seth (1968) has:

Correct Answer: B [16 type groups]

Explanation:

Champion and Seth's 1968 Revised Survey of the Forest Types of India grouped the country's forests into 16 type groups.

7.  

In the Nilgiris, Anaimalai and Palani hills, the temperate evergreen forests are called:

Correct Answer: B [sholas]

Explanation:

NCERT calls the temperate evergreen forests of the Nilgiris, Anaimalai and Palani hills sholas.

8.  

Babool, ber and khair are typical of:

Correct Answer: A [tropical thorn forests]

Explanation:

Babool, ber and khair are thorny, drought-hardy trees of tropical thorn forests receiving less than 50 cm of rain.

9.  

In the Himalayas, deodar, spruce and silver fir are typical of the:

Correct Answer: A [temperate coniferous zone]

Explanation:

about 1,500–3,000 m.

10.  

Ladakh is classed as a cold desert mainly because:

Correct Answer: C [the Himalayas block the monsoon winds]

Explanation:

rain-shadow.

11.  

Assertion (A): Soils of tropical rainforests lose fertility quickly when the forest is cleared.

Reason (R): Most nutrients in a rainforest are stored in the living plants, and heavy rain leaches the soil.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Both are true, and R explains A: nutrients held in plants vanish with clearing and heavy rain leaches the exposed soil.

12.  

Consider the following statements about India State of Forest Report 2023:

1. Forest and tree cover together is about 25.17 per cent of India's area.
2. Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest and tree cover by area.
3. It is published by the Botanical Survey of India.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: C [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

the Forest Survey of India publishes it.

13.  

The National Forest Policy, 1988 set a goal of bringing what share of India's area under forest or tree cover?

Correct Answer: D [One-third]

Explanation:

The National Forest Policy, 1988 aims to bring one-third of India's geographical area under forest or tree cover.

14.  

The Supreme Court held that "forest" must be understood in its dictionary meaning, whatever the ownership, in:

Correct Answer: D [T. N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India]

Explanation:

order of 12 December 1996.

15.  

Arrange in chronological order:

1. Champion and Seth revised survey of forest types
2. National Forest Policy
3. Setting up of the Forest Survey of India
4. Report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel

Select the correct order:

Correct Answer: C [1-3-2-4]

Explanation:

1968, 1981, 1988, 2011.

16.  

The tropical dry evergreen forest, found mainly along the Coromandel coast, survives well at:

Correct Answer: C [Point Calimere]

Explanation:

Point Calimere on the Tamil Nadu coast holds one of the best surviving patches of tropical dry evergreen forest.

17.  

Thick bark and underground buds that survive frequent fires are typical adaptations of plants in the:

Correct Answer: A [savanna]

Explanation:

Savanna plants face frequent dry-season fires, so thick bark and underground buds let them survive and resprout.

18.  

Drip-tip leaves and buttress roots are adaptations to:

Correct Answer: C [the tropical rainforest]

Explanation:

Drip-tip leaves shed constant rain and buttress roots steady tall trees in shallow, wet rainforest soils.

19.  

The Great Indian Bustard is chiefly a bird of:

Correct Answer: D [semi-arid and desert grasslands]

Explanation:

The Great Indian Bustard needs open semi-arid and desert grasslands such as those of the Thar and Kachchh.

20.  

Consider the following statements:

1. The taiga is dominated by coniferous trees.
2. Decomposition is faster in the tundra than in the tropical rainforest.
3. Steppes are temperate grasslands of Eurasia.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 3 only]

Explanation:

decomposition is slowest in the tundra.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2024

One of the following regions has the world's largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels; and the possible destruction of which can exert detrimental effects on the global climate. Which one of the following denotes that region?

Correct Answer: B [Congo Basin]

Explanation:

The central Congo Basin peatland, the world's largest tropical peatland, stores a vast amount of carbon.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2023

Consider the following trees:

1. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus)
2. Mahua (Madhuca indica)
3. Teak (Tectona grandis)

How many of the above are deciduous trees?

Correct Answer: B [Only two]

Explanation:

mahua and teak; jackfruit is evergreen.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2021

The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions?

1. Burrowing animals and termites
2. Fire
3. Grazing herbivores
4. Seasonal rainfall
5. Soil properties

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: C [2, 3 and 4]

Explanation:

Fire, grazing herbivores and seasonal rainfall with a long dry season keep tree growth in check in savannas.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2021

"Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees." This is the most likely description of

Correct Answer: D [tropical rainforest]

Explanation:

Fastest leaf-litter decomposition, a bare forest floor and climbers and epiphytes reaching the canopy describe the tropical rainforest.

25.  
UPSC Prelims 2018

Which of the following leaf modifications occur(s) in desert areas to inhibit water loss?

1. Hard and waxy leaves
2. Tiny leaves
3. Thorns instead of leaves

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]

Explanation:

a similar question was asked in 2013.

26.  
UPSC Prelims 2015

Which one of the following regions of India has a combination of mangrove forest, evergreen forest and deciduous forest?

Correct Answer: D [Andaman and Nicobar Islands]

Explanation:

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have mangroves on their coasts and evergreen and deciduous forests inland.

27.  
UPSC Prelims 2015

"Each day is more or less the same, the morning is clear and bright with a sea breeze; as the Sun climbs high in the sky, heat mounts up, dark clouds form, then rain comes with thunder and lightning. But the rain is soon over." Which of the following regions is described in the above passage?

Correct Answer: B [Equatorial]

Explanation:

Same weather every day, a clear morning and an afternoon convectional thunderstorm mark the equatorial region.

28.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of the following plants naturally growing there?

1. Oak
2. Rhododendron
3. Sandalwood

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: A [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Oak and rhododendron grow naturally in the Himalayan temperate belt; sandalwood is a peninsular tree.

29.  
UPSC Prelims 2013

"Climate is extreme, rainfall is scanty, and the people used to be nomadic herders." The above statement best describes which of the following regions?

Correct Answer: B [Central Asian Steppe]

Explanation:

The Central Asian Steppe has an extreme continental climate, scanty rain and a long history of nomadic herding.

30.  
UPSC Prelims 2013

Which of the following is/are unique characteristic/characteristics of equatorial forests?

1. Presence of tall, closely set trees with crowns forming a continuous canopy
2. Coexistence of a large number of species
3. Presence of numerous varieties of epiphytes

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]

Explanation:

A continuous canopy of tall trees, very many coexisting species and numerous epiphytes are all features of equatorial forests.

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