UPSC Environment and Ecology – Chapter 4: Aquatic Ecosystems – Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs (33 MCQs)

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UPSC Environment and Ecology – Chapter 4: Aquatic Ecosystems – Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs (33 MCQs) – 31 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.  

Waters of lakes and ponds, which do not flow, are called:

Correct Answer: D [lentic]

Explanation:

Lentic waters are still waters such as lakes, ponds and reservoirs; flowing streams and rivers are lotic.

2.  

Organisms that swim actively in water, such as fish and whales, are called:

Correct Answer: A [nekton]

Explanation:

Nekton are animals that swim actively against currents, such as fish and whales.

3.  

Under the Ramsar definition, marine water is included in a wetland up to a depth at low tide of:

Correct Answer: B [six metres]

Explanation:

The Ramsar definition covers marine water whose depth at low tide does not exceed six metres.

4.  

The Ramsar Convention was signed in:

Correct Answer: D [1971 at Ramsar, Iran]

Explanation:

The Convention on Wetlands was signed on 2 February 1971 at Ramsar, Iran, and came into force in 1975.

5.  

Which two Indian Ramsar sites are on the Montreux Record (as of 2026)?

Correct Answer: D [Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake]

Explanation:

Keoladeo (added 4 July 1990) and Loktak (added 16 June 1993) are India's sites on the Montreux Record.

6.  

The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules now in force were notified in:

Correct Answer: B [2017]

Explanation:

The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 replaced the 2010 Rules and remain in force.

7.  

Breathing roots of mangroves that grow upward from the mud are called:

Correct Answer: A [pneumatophores]

Explanation:

Pneumatophores grow upward out of oxygen-poor mud and let mangrove roots take in air.

8.  

Germination of seeds while still attached to the parent plant, seen in mangroves, is called:

Correct Answer: C [vivipary]

Explanation:

In vivipary, seeds germinate while still attached to the parent tree, a typical mangrove adaptation.

9.  

MISHTI, launched in 2023, is a scheme for:

Correct Answer: B [mangrove planting along the coast]

Explanation:

MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes) promotes mangrove planting along India's coast.

10.  

NOAA and the International Coral Reef Initiative confirmed the fourth global coral bleaching event in:

Correct Answer: A [April 2024]

Explanation:

ICRI and NOAA confirmed the fourth global bleaching event on 15 April 2024.

11.  

Assertion (A): Coastal blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves and sea-grass beds bury carbon in their soils faster per hectare than most land forests.

Reason (R): In their waterlogged, low-oxygen soils, dead plant matter decomposes very slowly.

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

Explanation:

Flooded, low-oxygen soils slow decay, so buried carbon builds up faster than in land forests; R explains A.

12.  

An atoll is:

Correct Answer: B [a ring-shaped reef enclosing a lagoon]

Explanation:

Lakshadweep.

13.  

The dugong in India is found mainly in:

Correct Answer: C [the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay]

Explanation:

sea-grass beds.

14.  

Consider the following about blue carbon ecosystems:

1. Mangroves
2. Sea-grass beds
3. Salt marshes
4. Tropical dry deciduous forests

Which of the above are blue carbon ecosystems?

Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3 only]

Explanation:

Mangroves, sea-grass beds and salt marshes are coastal blue carbon ecosystems; dry deciduous forests are land carbon stores.

15.  

The National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) merged:

Correct Answer: B [the National Lake and National Wetland Conservation Programmes]

Explanation:

In 2013 NPCA merged the National Lake Conservation Plan and the National Wetlands Conservation Programme.

16.  

Which Indian State has the most Ramsar sites (October 2026)?

Correct Answer: D [Tamil Nadu]

Explanation:

20.

17.  

Arrange in chronological order:

1. India becomes a party to Ramsar
2. First Coastal Regulation Zone notification
3. Ramsar Convention signed
4. Wetlands Rules, 2017

Select the correct order:

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

Explanation:

1971, 1982, 1991, 2017.

18.  

Pulicat Lake is:

Correct Answer: C [a brackish-water lagoon shared by Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh]

Explanation:

Pulicat is a brackish-water lagoon on the Tamil Nadu–Andhra Pradesh border, second in size to Chilika.

19.  

Consider the following about the Gulf of Mannar:

1. It has coral reefs and sea-grass beds.
2. It is a Marine National Park and a Biosphere Reserve.
3. It lies off the coast of Gujarat.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: A [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

The Gulf of Mannar has reefs and sea-grass beds and is a Marine National Park inside a Biosphere Reserve.

20.  

Which wetland lies at the confluence of the Beas and the Sutlej?

Correct Answer: C [Harike]

Explanation:

Harike wetland in Punjab lies at the confluence of the Beas and the Sutlej.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2022

"Biorock technology" is talked about in which one of the following situations?

Correct Answer: A [Restoration of damaged coral reefs]

Explanation:

Biorock passes a low electric current through steel frames so limestone forms on them, helping damaged reefs regrow.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2022

"If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys." Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement?

Correct Answer: D [Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.]

Explanation:

Like kidneys, wetland plants filter water by absorbing heavy metals and excess nutrients.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2021

What is blue carbon?

Correct Answer: A [Carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems]

Explanation:

Blue carbon is carbon captured and stored by oceans and coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes and sea-grasses.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2021

Which one of the following is a filter feeder?

Correct Answer: C [Oyster]

Explanation:

An oyster draws in water and strains plankton and food particles from it, so it is a filter feeder.

25.  
UPSC Prelims 2019

Consider the following statements:

1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.
2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendation of the Ramsar Convention.
3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: C [3 only]

Explanation:

Only statement 3 is right: the 2010 Rules covered catchments, but Ramsar does not oblige protection of all wetlands.

26.  
UPSC Prelims 2018

Consider the following statements:

1. Most of the world's coral reefs are in tropical waters.
2. More than one-third of the world's coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines.
3. Coral reefs host far more animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]

Explanation:

All three hold: reefs are mostly tropical, over a third lie in Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines, and they host more phyla.

27.  
UPSC Prelims 2016

What is/are unique about 'Kharai camel', a breed found in India?

1. It is capable of swimming up to three kilometers in seawater.
2. It survives by grazing on mangroves.
3. It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: A [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

The Kharai camel swims in seawater and grazes on mangroves; it is a domesticated breed of Kachchh.

28.  
UPSC Prelims 2015

Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity?

Correct Answer: B [Keibul Lamjao National Park]

Explanation:

Keibul Lamjao in Loktak Lake, Manipur, is a swamp of floating phumdis and the home of the sangai deer.

29.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

Consider the following pairs:

1. Harike Wetlands : Confluence of Beas and Satluj/Sutlej
2. Keoladeo Ghana National Park : Confluence of Banas and Chambal
3. Kolleru Lake : Confluence of Musi and Krishna

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

Correct Answer: A [1 only]

Explanation:

Only Harike is correctly matched: it lies at the confluence of the Beas and the Sutlej.

30.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

If a wetland of international importance is brought under the 'Montreux Record', what does it imply?

Correct Answer: A [Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference.]

Explanation:

The Montreux Record lists Ramsar sites where ecological character has changed, is changing or may change due to human interference.

31.  
UPSC Prelims 2013

The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regions where

Correct Answer: C [warm and cold oceanic currents meet]

Explanation:

Where warm and cold ocean currents meet, mixing lifts nutrients, plankton multiply and fish gather, as at the Grand Banks.

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