Biodiversity Archives

11. Consider the following international agreements : 1. The Internation

Consider the following international agreements :

1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
2. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
3. The World Heritage Convention

Which of the above has/have a bearing on the biodiversity?

1 and 2 only

3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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All three international agreements listed have a direct bearing on biodiversity. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture focuses on conserving and sustainably using plant diversity crucial for food security. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification addresses land degradation, which is a major driver of biodiversity loss. The World Heritage Convention protects natural sites, including those recognized for their outstanding biodiversity.

– ITPGRFA aims to ensure conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources.
– UNCCD works to combat desertification, land degradation, and drought, thus protecting habitats.
– The World Heritage Convention identifies and protects sites of universal value, including critical natural habitats and ecosystems.

Biodiversity is fundamental to ecosystem function and human well-being. International agreements play a crucial role in fostering global cooperation for conservation, sustainable use, and equitable sharing of benefits from biodiversity and its components.

12. The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity toget

The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

biosphere reserves

botanical gardens

national parks

wildlife sanctuaries

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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The establishment of biosphere reserves is considered the most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life.

The question asks about the conservation strategy that best integrates biodiversity conservation with the preservation of traditional human life.

Biosphere reserves are designed to reconcile conservation of biodiversity with sustainable use of natural resources and sustainable development, actively involving local communities and traditional lifestyles. National parks and wildlife sanctuaries prioritize strict conservation, often restricting human activities. Botanical gardens focus on ex-situ plant conservation.

13. If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of th

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.

1 and 2 only

3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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Oak and Rhododendron species are commonly found naturally growing in the Himalayan region.

The Himalayas are home to diverse vegetation types, including temperate forests where various species of Oak (Quercus) thrive, especially at lower to mid-altitudes. Rhododendron species are particularly characteristic of the Himalayan alpine and subalpine zones, known for their vibrant blooms and widespread presence across different altitudes and forest types.

Sandalwood (Santalum album), famous for its fragrant wood and oil, is predominantly found in South India, especially in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. It is not native to the Himalayas.

14. Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in

Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins?

1. Construction of dams and barrages on rivers
2. Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers
3. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally
4. Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 3 and 4 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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The correct answer is C.

Apart from poaching, several human-induced factors contribute to the decline of Ganges River Dolphins. Construction of dams and barrages (1) fragments their habitat, isolates populations, and reduces water flow and prey availability. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally (bycatch) (3) is a major cause of mortality. Pollution from agricultural runoff containing synthetic fertilizers and pesticides (4), as well as industrial and municipal waste, degrades water quality and affects dolphin health and their food chain. An increase in the population of crocodiles (2) is not considered a primary driver for the overall decline of the dolphin population, although predation might occur. Therefore, statements 1, 3, and 4 represent significant reasons for the decline.

The Ganges River Dolphin is an endangered species and is India’s National Aquatic Animal. Conservation efforts focus on reducing these threats and protecting their habitat.

15. Consider the following fauna of India : 1. Gharial 2. Leatherback t

Consider the following fauna of India :

1. Gharial
2. Leatherback turtle
3. Swamp deer

Which of the above is/are endangered?

1 and 2 only

3 only

1, 2 and 3

None

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

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All three fauna mentioned – Gharial, Leatherback turtle, and Swamp deer – are considered endangered or critically endangered in the context of India.

The Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. The Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), while globally Vulnerable, has populations in the Indian Ocean region that are highly threatened, including the Southwest Indian Ocean subpopulation listed as Critically Endangered. The Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucelii) species is listed as Vulnerable, but the Sangai (Rucervus eldii), a subspecies of swamp deer found in Manipur, India, is listed as Endangered.

Conservation efforts are underway in India for all three species. The status ‘endangered’ often refers to the species level, but for questions pertaining to ‘fauna of India’, the status of specific populations or subspecies within India is relevant. Given the status of the Gharial, the critically endangered Leatherback population in the region, and the endangered Sangai subspecies of Swamp deer, all three can be considered endangered in the Indian context.

16. Consider the following : 1. Star tortoise 2. Monitor lizard 3. Pyg

Consider the following :

1. Star tortoise
2. Monitor lizard
3. Pygmy hog
4. Spider monkey

Which of the above are naturally found in India?

1, 2 and 3 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 4 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2013

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The Indian Star Tortoise, various species of Monitor Lizards, and the Pygmy Hog are naturally found in India. Spider Monkeys are native to the Americas and are not found in the wild in India.

1. The Indian Star Tortoise (*Geochelone elegans*) is native to dry areas of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
2. Several species of Monitor Lizards (*Varanus* spp.) inhabit India, such as the Bengal Monitor, Yellow Monitor, and Desert Monitor.
3. The Pygmy Hog (*Porcula salvania*) is endemic to the grasslands of the southern foothills of the Himalayas, currently found only in Assam, India.
4. Spider Monkeys belong to the genus *Ateles* and are found in the tropical forests of Central and South America.

Identifying species naturally found in a region requires knowledge of biogeography. While some non-native species might be present in zoos or as escaped pets, the question asks which are *naturally* found in India, referring to their native range.

17. Which of the following statements regarding faunal resources of India

Which of the following statements regarding faunal resources of India is/are correct ?

High degree of endemism has been noticed in the biodiversity hotspots of India
Of the total biosphere reserves in India, the Sundarbans has the largest number of species and Nokrek has the smallest number of species

Select the answer using the codes given below:

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2024

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Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is likely incorrect or difficult to verify definitively.

Biodiversity hotspots are regions with high levels of biodiversity and a large proportion of endemic species. India’s biodiversity hotspots (Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, etc.) are known for high endemism. Making definitive claims about the largest/smallest number of species across all biosphere reserves (Statement 2) is difficult without specific, comprehensive, and standardized surveys across all reserves, which vary greatly in size, habitat diversity, and species inventories. Statement 1 is a fundamental characteristic of biodiversity hotspots.

Endemism is the ecological state of a species being unique to a defined geographic location, such as an island, nation, country or other defined zone, or habitat type. Biodiversity hotspots are crucial for conservation efforts due to their unique and threatened species.

18. The greatest diversity of animal and plant species is found in :

The greatest diversity of animal and plant species is found in :

Temperate forests

Deserts and Savannas

Arctic and Alpine systems

Tropical moist forests

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2023

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The correct answer is D. Tropical moist forests, also known as rainforests, are characterized by warm temperatures, high rainfall, and high primary productivity, leading to the greatest diversity of animal and plant species on Earth.

– Biodiversity tends to be highest in regions with stable, favourable climates (warm and wet), high energy input (sunlight), and complex habitats.
– Tropical moist forests provide these conditions, supporting a vast array of ecological niches and complex food webs.
– Diversity generally decreases as one moves towards the poles or into drier/harsher environments.

Temperate forests have significant diversity but less than tropical forests. Deserts, Savannas, Arctic, and Alpine systems experience more extreme or seasonal conditions, which limit the number of species that can survive there compared to tropical rainforests. Factors like stable climate, high productivity, complex structure (multiple layers of vegetation), and evolutionary history contribute to the high biodiversity in tropical moist forests.

19. The Cartagena Protocol, to which India is a party, is related to

The Cartagena Protocol, to which India is a party, is related to

combat the green house gasses and to reduce the global warming and climate change

biosafety, negotiated under the aegis of the Convention on Bio-logical Diversity

combat the ozone depleting sub-stances to protect the human lives from diseases

combat the phenomenon of desertification by improving dry land farming in dry regions

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2020

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The correct option is B.

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international treaty that governs the movements of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology from one country to another. It was negotiated under the aegis of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), adopted in 2000, and entered into force in 2003.

The Protocol seeks to protect biodiversity from the potential risks posed by LMOs. It establishes procedures for regulating the transboundary movement of LMOs, particularly those destined for intentional introduction into the environment. India is a party to both the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

20. Which of the following statements about biodiversity hot spots is/are

Which of the following statements about biodiversity hot spots is/are correct?

Biodiversity hot spots are identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
Biodiversity hot spots are defined according to their vegetation.
In India, Eastern Ghats and Western Himalaya are the biodiversity hot spots.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2 only

3 only

1, 2 and 3

1 only

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2018

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Biodiversity hotspots were originally identified by Norman Myers and are primarily promoted and defined by Conservation International (CI). While the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a major global conservation organization and works extensively in areas that overlap with hotspots, the formal identification and list of the 36 biodiversity hotspots are associated with CI, not IUCN (Statement 1 is debated, but often considered correct in some contexts as IUCN is a key partner in global conservation efforts and uses the concept. However, based on the specific role of CI, it is often considered incorrect. Let’s examine other statements). Hotspots are defined by two strict criteria: they must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics (0.5% of the world’s total) and must have lost at least 70% of their primary vegetation (Statement 2 is incorrect, as it’s not defined *only* according to vegetation type, but by plant endemism and habitat loss). In India, the recognised biodiversity hotspots are the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, the Himalayas, the Indo-Burma region, and Sundaland (Nicobar Islands). The Eastern Ghats is not designated as a biodiversity hotspot (Statement 3 is incorrect). Given the options, and assuming there is a correct answer among them, Statement 1 is the most likely intended correct statement, perhaps interpreted as “recognized or used by” rather than strictly “identified by”.

Biodiversity hotspots are regions with high levels of endemic species that are under significant threat from habitat loss. The concept is primarily associated with Norman Myers and Conservation International. Criteria include high endemism of vascular plants and significant loss of original habitat.

There are currently 36 globally recognized biodiversity hotspots. These areas, while covering only 2.5% of Earth’s land surface, are home to more than half of the world’s plant species as endemics and nearly 43% of bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species as endemics.