UPSC Environment and Ecology – Chapter 5: Biodiversity – Levels, Values and Hotspots (34 MCQs)

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UPSC Environment and Ecology – Chapter 5: Biodiversity – Levels, Values and Hotspots (34 MCQs) – 34 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 three levels of biodiversity are:

Correct Answer: D [genetic, species and ecosystem]

Explanation:

Biodiversity is recognised at three levels – genetic diversity within species, species diversity, and ecosystem (ecological) diversity.

2.  

The variation in the strength of reserpine in Rauwolfia vomitoria from different Himalayan ranges is an example of:

Correct Answer: C [genetic diversity]

Explanation:

Differences in reserpine strength among populations of one species arise from variation in its genes, which is genetic diversity.

3.  

The change in species composition between communities along an environmental gradient is called:

Correct Answer: B [beta diversity]

Explanation:

Beta diversity measures the turnover of species between communities along an environmental gradient.

4.  

Species diversity generally:

Correct Answer: C [decreases from the equator towards the poles]

Explanation:

The tropics, with more solar energy, stable climate and less ice-age disturbance, hold the most species; richness falls towards the poles.

5.  

The species–area relationship was first described by:

Correct Answer: B [Alexander von Humboldt]

Explanation:

Alexander von Humboldt observed that species richness rises with the area explored, up to a limit.

6.  

The "rivet popper" hypothesis was proposed by:

Correct Answer: D [Paul Ehrlich]

Explanation:

Paul Ehrlich compared species to an aeroplane's rivets: losing key species, like key rivets, can bring the system down.

7.  

The value of a species for possible future uses, such as a new drug, is called its:

Correct Answer: A [option value]

Explanation:

Option value is the worth of keeping a species for possible future uses, such as new crops or drugs found through bioprospecting.

8.  

Pollination of crops by insects is an example of which value of biodiversity?

Correct Answer: D [Indirect use]

Explanation:

Pollination is an ecosystem service that benefits people without the insect being harvested, so it is an indirect use value.

9.  

To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must have at least how many endemic vascular plant species?

Correct Answer: A [1,500]

Explanation:

Conservation International requires at least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species plus loss of at least 70 per cent of original vegetation.

10.  

The Nicobar Islands are part of which biodiversity hotspot?

Correct Answer: B [Sundaland]

Explanation:

The Nicobar Islands form India's part of the Sundaland hotspot, home to the Nicobar megapode.

11.  

Assertion (A): The Western Ghats are a biodiversity hotspot.

Reason (R): They have a high number of endemic plant species and have lost much of their original vegetation.

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

Explanation:

The Western Ghats qualify precisely because they meet both criteria – high plant endemism and heavy loss of original vegetation.

12.  

Consider the following statements:

1. There are 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world.
2. Hotspots cover about a quarter of the Earth's land surface.
3. India has parts of four hotspots.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: C [1 and 3 only]

Explanation:

they cover about 2.5 per cent.

13.  

The National Biodiversity Authority is headquartered at:

Correct Answer: A [Chennai]

Explanation:

The National Biodiversity Authority, set up in 2003 under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, is headquartered at Chennai.

14.  

People's Biodiversity Registers are prepared by:

Correct Answer: A [Biodiversity Management Committees]

Explanation:

Biodiversity Management Committees in every local body prepare People's Biodiversity Registers documenting local resources and knowledge.

15.  

Arrange in chronological order:

1. Revocation of the US turmeric patent
2. Hotspot concept of Norman Myers
3. Biological Diversity Act
4. Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act

Select the correct order:

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

Explanation:

1988, 1997, 2002, 2023.

16.  

The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library was created mainly to:

Correct Answer: C [prevent patents on traditional Indian knowledge]

Explanation:

TKDL gives patent examiners access to documented traditional Indian knowledge as prior art, preventing wrongful patents and biopiracy.

17.  

Which of the following is the 36th biodiversity hotspot, recognised in 2016?

Correct Answer: D [North American Coastal Plain]

Explanation:

The North American Coastal Plain was recognised in 2016, raising the global count of biodiversity hotspots to 36.

18.  

NCERT cites Robert May's estimate of the total number of species on Earth as about:

Correct Answer: A [7 million]

Explanation:

Robert May placed global species diversity at about 7 million, a conservative estimate cited by NCERT.

19.  

Consider the following about the Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries:

1. The group was formed at Cancún in 2002.
2. India is a member.
3. It is an organ of the IUCN.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

The LMMC group was formed at Cancún in 2002 and India is a member; it is a group of countries, not an IUCN organ.

20.  

Biodiversity Heritage Sites are notified under which section of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002?

Correct Answer: C [Section 37]

Explanation:

by the State Government.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2025

Consider the following pairs:

Plant : Description

I. Cassava : Woody shrub

II. Ginger : Herb with pseudostem

III. Malabar spinach : Herbaceous climber

IV. Mint : Annual shrub

V. Papaya : Woody shrub

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Correct Answer: B [Only three]

Explanation:

I, II and III.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2024

The organisms "Cicada, Froghopper and Pond skater" are:

Correct Answer: C [Insects]

Explanation:

Cicadas, froghoppers and pond skaters are all six-legged insects belonging to the true-bug order Hemiptera.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2024

Which one of the following shows a unique relationship with an insect that has coevolved with it and that is the only insect that can pollinate this tree?

Correct Answer: A [Fig]

Explanation:

Each fig species is pollinated only by its own fig wasp, which breeds inside the fig; the two have coevolved.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2024

Consider the following:

1. Butterflies
2. Fish
3. Frogs

How many of the above have poisonous species among them?

Correct Answer: C [All three]

Explanation:

All three groups include poisonous species, for example toxic butterflies, pufferfish and poison dart frogs.

25.  
UPSC Prelims 2024

Consider the following:

1. Cashew
2. Papaya
3. Red sanders

How many of the above trees are actually native to India?

Correct Answer: A [Only one]

Explanation:

red sanders.

26.  
UPSC Prelims 2024

Consider the following plants:

1. Groundnut
2. Horse-gram
3. Soybean

How many of the above belong to the pea family?

Correct Answer: C [All three]

Explanation:

Groundnut, horse-gram and soybean are all legumes of the pea family, Fabaceae.

27.  
UPSC Prelims 2023

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Marsupials are not naturally found in India.

Statement-II: Marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Correct Answer: C [Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect]

Explanation:

Marsupials occur naturally only in Australasia and the Americas, not India, but they live in many habitats with predators.

28.  
UPSC Prelims 2023

Which of the following organisms perform waggle dance for others of their kin to indicate the direction and the distance to a source of their food?

Correct Answer: C [Honey Bees]

Explanation:

Honey bee foragers perform the waggle dance, whose angle and duration tell nestmates the direction and distance of food.

29.  
UPSC Prelims 2023

Consider the following statements:

1. Some mushrooms have medicinal properties.
2. Some mushrooms have psychoactive properties.
3. Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties.
4. Some mushrooms have bioluminescent properties.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Correct Answer: D [All four]

Explanation:

Mushrooms include medicinal, psychoactive, insecticidal and bioluminescent species, so all four statements are correct.

30.  
UPSC Prelims 2021

Consider the following statements:

1. Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree.
2. The Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia.
3. In India, most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce.
4. India exports tamarind and seeds of moringa.
5. Seeds of moringa and tamarind can be used in the production of biofuels.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: B [3, 4 and 5]

Explanation:

Tamarind is mostly collected as minor forest produce, India exports tamarind and moringa seeds, and both seeds can yield biofuel.

31.  
UPSC Prelims 2021

Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent?

Correct Answer: C [Lemon grass]

Explanation:

Lemon grass yields aromatic essential oils, rich in citral, that are used in natural mosquito repellents.

32.  
UPSC Prelims 2015

With reference to an organisation known as 'BirdLife International', which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a Global Partnership of Conservation Organisations.
2. The concept of 'biodiversity hotspots' originated from this organisation.
3. It identifies the sites known/referred to as 'Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas'.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [1 and 3 only]

Explanation:

BirdLife International is a global partnership of conservation organisations and identifies Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas.

33.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

With reference to Neem tree, consider the following statements:

1. Neem oil can be used as a pesticide to control the proliferation of some species of insects and mites.
2. Neem seeds are used in the manufacture of biofuels and hospital detergents.
3. Neem oil has applications in the pharmaceutical industry.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: C [1 and 3 only]

Explanation:

Neem oil controls some insects and mites and is used in pharmaceuticals; statement 2 was not accepted in the key.

34.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

In India, cluster bean (Guar) is traditionally used as a vegetable or animal feed, but recently the cultivation of this has assumed significance. Which one of the following statements is correct in this context?

Correct Answer: B [The gum made from its seeds is used in the extraction of shale gas]

Explanation:

Guar gum from the seeds thickens the fluids used in hydraulic fracturing, so demand rose with shale-gas extraction.

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