Biodiversity

1. Consider the following statements: 1. In India, the Biodiversity Man

Consider the following statements:

  • 1. In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees are key to the realization of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol.
  • 2. The Biodiversity Management Committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2023
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The correct option is C.
Statement 1 is correct. India is a party to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS). The Protocol is implemented in India through the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The Act mandates a three-tier structure: National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs), and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the local level. BMCs are essential for implementing the ABS mechanism at the grassroots level, particularly for access to biological resources and associated traditional knowledge within their local jurisdiction, thus being key to realizing the Nagoya Protocol’s objectives.
Statement 2 is correct. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and the Biological Diversity Rules, 2004, specify the functions of BMCs. These include documenting local biodiversity, promoting conservation and sustainable use, and playing a role in access and benefit sharing related to biological resources and traditional knowledge. Rule 22 of the Rules explicitly grants BMCs the power to “levy charges by way of collection fees from any person for accessing data or information held by the Committee including from commercial utilization.” Further, Section 7 of the Act requires obtaining prior intimation to the BMC for access to biological resources for commercial use within their area, allowing BMCs to determine access and benefit-sharing conditions.
The Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) are constituted by every local body within its area. They consist of a Chairman and not more than six persons nominated by the local body, of whom not less than one third should be women and not less than 50% should be from the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes.

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2. ‘Invasive Species Specialist Group’ (that develops Global Invasive Spe

‘Invasive Species Specialist Group’ (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations?

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The International Union for Conservation of Nature
The United Nations Environment Programme
The United Nations World Commission for Environment and Development
The World Wide Fund for Nature
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2023
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The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) belongs to The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) is a global network of experts that works on invasive alien species. It is one of the specialist groups within the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Global Invasive Species Database is a project managed by the ISSG.
The IUCN is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organizations. It provides knowledge and tools to enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together. The SSC is one of six commissions of the IUCN, focused on conservation planning and policy recommendations for species.

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3. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Marsupials are not nat

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?

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Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2023
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Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.
Statement-I: Marsupials are a group of mammals native primarily to Australia, New Guinea, and the Americas. They are characterized by the pouch (marsupium) in which most females carry and nurse their young. Marsupials are not naturally found in the Indian subcontinent. This statement is correct.
Statement-II: This statement is incorrect. Marsupials inhabit a wide variety of environments, including forests, woodlands, grasslands, deserts, and even urban areas, not just montane grasslands. Furthermore, they coexist with various predators in their native habitats. Their survival is not contingent upon the absence of predators.
Well-known marsupials include kangaroos, koalas, wallabies (Australia/New Guinea), and opossums (Americas). Their ecological adaptations are diverse, allowing them to thrive in different climates and landscapes.

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4. With reference to India’s biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith

With reference to India’s biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are

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Birds
Primates
Reptiles
Amphibians
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2020
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These names refer to different species of birds found in India.
Ceylon frogmouth (*Batrachostomus moniliger*), Coppersmith barbet (*Psilopogon haemacephalus*), Gray-chinned minivet (*Pericrocotus solaris*), and White-throated redstart (*Phoenicurus schisticeps*) are all recognized common names for bird species found in the Indian subcontinent. Identifying animal groups based on their common names requires familiarity with Indian fauna.
India has a rich avian diversity, with numerous endemic and migratory bird species. Knowing the common names of some distinctive species can be helpful for questions related to biodiversity.

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5. Consider the following pairs : Wildlife Naturally found in 1

Consider the following pairs :

WildlifeNaturally found in
1. Blue-finned MahseerCauvery River
2. Irrawaddy DolphinChambal River
3. Rusty-spotted CatEastern Ghats

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

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1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2019
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Option C is correct. Pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.
– Pair 1: Blue-finned Mahseer (*Tor remadevii*) is a species of Mahseer considered endemic to the Cauvery river basin in the Western Ghats. This pair is correctly matched.
– Pair 2: Irrawaddy Dolphin (*Orcaella brevirostris*) is found in coastal areas, estuaries, and certain rivers in Southeast Asia and parts of the Bay of Bengal. In India, they are notably found in Chilika Lake. They are *not* naturally found in the Chambal River. The Ganges River Dolphin is found in the Chambal. This pair is incorrectly matched.
– Pair 3: The Rusty-spotted Cat (*Prionailurus rubiginosus*) is one of the smallest wild cat species and is found in India (including parts of the Eastern and Western Ghats), Sri Lanka, and Nepal. This pair is correctly matched.
– The Chambal River is a designated protected area for the Ganges River Dolphin.
– The Rusty-spotted Cat is listed as ‘Near Threatened’ by the IUCN.
– Various species of Mahseer are found across Indian rivers; accurate identification and distribution can be complex, but *Tor remadevii* is well-documented in the Cauvery system.

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6. Consider the following statements : 1. Most of the world’s coral re

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 number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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1 and 2 only
3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2018
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The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3.
Let’s evaluate each statement regarding coral reefs:
1. **Most of the world’s coral reefs are in tropical waters:** This statement is correct. Corals require specific environmental conditions for growth, including warm water temperatures (typically between 20-30°C), shallow depths allowing sunlight penetration (for symbiotic algae), clear water, and normal marine salinity. These conditions are predominantly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions.
2. **More than one-third of the world’s coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines:** This statement is correct. These three countries are part of the “Coral Triangle,” a marine region considered the global center of marine biodiversity. Australia hosts the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system. Indonesia and the Philippines have extensive reef systems within the Coral Triangle, which collectively hold the highest diversity of corals and reef fish globally. Together, these three nations account for a very significant proportion of the world’s coral reefs.
3. **Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests:** This statement is correct. While tropical rainforests are incredibly rich in species (especially insects and plants), marine ecosystems, in general, host a greater diversity of animal *phyla* compared to terrestrial ecosystems. Coral reefs, being highly complex and productive marine environments, are known to support a vast array of marine life representing a wide range of animal phyla, including sponges, cnidarians (corals, jellyfish), mollusks, arthropods, annelids, echinoderms, chordates (fish, turtles, etc.), and many others. The number of phyla found in marine environments is substantially higher than on land, and coral reefs are hotspots for this phylogenetic diversity.
Coral reefs are critically important ecosystems, providing habitat for a quarter of all marine species, protecting coastlines from erosion and storms, and supporting livelihoods through fisheries and tourism. They are, however, highly vulnerable to threats like climate change (ocean warming and acidification), pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction.

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7. Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news ?

Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news ?

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Its extract is widely used in cosmetics.
It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.
Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.
None of the above
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2018
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The correct answer is B) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.
Prosopis juliflora is a highly invasive species native to Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean. It was introduced to many parts of the world, including India, often for purposes like fuelwood, fodder, or soil stabilization in arid regions. However, it has become notorious for its invasive characteristics.
– It grows rapidly, forms dense thickets, and outcompetes native vegetation for water, sunlight, and nutrients.
– It alters soil properties and microhabitats.
– This aggressive growth and competition lead to a significant reduction in native plant species diversity.
– The reduced plant diversity impacts the fauna that depend on native plants for food and shelter, leading to a decline in overall biodiversity in areas it colonizes.
Therefore, its tendency to reduce biodiversity is the primary ecological reason it is often mentioned in news, usually in a negative context regarding environmental management and conservation efforts.
While Prosopis juliflora does have uses (fuelwood, pods for fodder, wood for charcoal), its negative ecological impacts as an invasive species often outweigh its benefits, particularly in fragile ecosystems like grasslands and arid/semi-arid areas. Control and eradication efforts are ongoing in many affected regions.

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8. The term “sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction” is often mentioned i

The term “sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction” is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of

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Widespread monoculture practices in agriculture and large-scale commercial farming with indiscriminate use of chemicals in many parts of the world that may result in the loss of good native ecosystems.
Fears of a possible collision of a meteorite with the Earth in the near future in the manner it happened 65 million years ago that caused the mass extinction of many species including those of dinosaurs.
Large scale cultivation of genetically modified crops in many parts of the world and promoting their cultivation in other parts of the world which may cause the disappearance of good native crop plants and the loss of food biodiversity.
Mankind's over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2018
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The term “sixth mass extinction” refers to the current ongoing extinction event, also known as the Holocene extinction.
This extinction event is characterized by an exceptionally high rate of species extinction, significantly above the historical background extinction rate. Unlike previous mass extinctions caused by natural phenomena (like asteroid impacts or volcanic activity), the current one is primarily driven by human activities.
The main drivers of the sixth mass extinction include habitat destruction and fragmentation, over-exploitation of resources (like hunting and fishing), pollution, introduction of invasive species, and climate change caused by human activities. Option D accurately encapsulates these primary causes. Options A and C describe specific aspects of human impact on ecosystems and biodiversity, but are not as comprehensive as D in defining the overall context of the sixth mass extinction. Option B describes a past extinction event.

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9. With reference to an initiative called ‘The Economics of Ecosystems an

With reference to an initiative called ‘The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  • 1. It is an initiative hosted by UNEP, IMF and World Economic Forum.
  • 2. It is a global initiative that focuses on drawing attention to the economic benefits of biodiversity.
  • 3. It presents an approach that can help decision-makers recognize, demonstrate and capture the value of ecosystems and biodiversity.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 and 2 only
3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2016
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The correct option is C, as statements 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.
– Statement 1 is incorrect. ‘The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)’ initiative was initiated by Germany and the European Commission in response to a G8+5 proposal and was hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). While IMF and World Economic Forum are important global bodies, they are not the primary hosts of TEEB.
– Statement 2 is correct. TEEB is indeed a global initiative focused on drawing attention to the economic benefits of biodiversity and the costs of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
– Statement 3 is correct. TEEB provides a structured approach to help decision-makers at various levels recognize, demonstrate, and capture the value of ecosystems and biodiversity in policy and business decisions.
TEEB aims to integrate the values of biodiversity and ecosystem services into decision-making by highlighting the growing cost of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation and demonstrating how economics can help to create better policies. It provides a global framework for assessing, valuing, and incorporating biodiversity and ecosystem services into accounting and reporting.

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10. With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature a

With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/are correct?

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  • 1. IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments.
  • 2. IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.
  • 3. CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2015
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Statements 2 and 3 are correct regarding the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
IUCN is a membership union composed of both government and civil society organisations; it is not an organ of the United Nations (Statement 1 is incorrect). IUCN is widely involved in conservation efforts globally, including running field projects (Statement 2 is correct). CITES is an international agreement between governments that is legally binding on its member states (Part of Statement 1 correct, but overall incorrect due to IUCN part). However, CITES does not replace national laws; instead, member states are required to adopt their own domestic legislation to implement the convention effectively (Statement 3 is correct).
IUCN is known for its Red List of Threatened Species. CITES regulates international trade in species listed in its Appendices I, II, and III to ensure trade is not detrimental to their survival. While CITES is a treaty, its implementation relies on national legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms.

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