Biodiversity

21. Ramsar Convention, to which India is a signatory, is related to conser

Ramsar Convention, to which India is a signatory, is related to conservation and wise use of :

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wetlands
genetic resources
mines
forest lands
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2016
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The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty focused on the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
– The full name of the convention is “The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat”.
– It was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 and came into force in 1975.
– Its mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.
– India is a signatory to this convention and has designated several sites as Ramsar Sites.
Wetlands include swamps, marshes, fens, peatlands or water; areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres; areas of karst, rivers, lakes and human-made wetlands such as dams, reservoirs, rice paddies, sewage treatment facilities and salt pans. Wise use is defined as “maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development”.

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22. The logo of which of the following famous organizations is a Giant

The logo of which of the following famous organizations is a Giant Panda?

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World Wildlife Fund or World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2013
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The correct option is A.
– The question asks for the organization whose logo is a Giant Panda.
– A) **World Wildlife Fund or World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF):** This international non-governmental organization, founded in 1961, is dedicated to wildlife preservation and reducing human impact on the environment. Its famous logo is a stylized depiction of a Giant Panda named Chi Chi, which was transferred from the London Zoo to WWF in 1961.
– B) **International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN):** IUCN’s logo features a globe surrounded by laurel leaves.
– C) **United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):** UNESCO’s logo depicts the profile of the Parthenon temple inside a square frame.
– D) **United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):** UNEP’s logo features a stylized human figure and laurel leaves within a circle.
– Therefore, the Giant Panda is the logo of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
The original panda design for the WWF logo was created by Sir Peter Scott, inspired by the panda Chi Chi. It was adopted because the panda is endangered, easily recognizable, and has appealing features suitable for a logo.

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23. Which one among the following statements is not correct?

Which one among the following statements is not correct?

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Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats are the two biodiversity hot spots in India
Central American lowland and highland forests are identified as biodiversity hot spots
The biodiversity hot spots are mostly confined to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world
The South-East Asian islands are not rich in biodiversity
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
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Statement D is incorrect. The islands of South-East Asia, including regions like Sundaland, the Philippines, and Wallacea, are globally recognised as major biodiversity hotspots characterized by exceptionally high levels of endemic species and significant habitat loss. Therefore, these islands are extremely rich in biodiversity, not lacking it.
Biodiversity hotspots are regions with high levels of endemic species that are under significant threat.
Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats in India are recognised hotspots.
Mesoamerica (Central American lowlands and highlands) is a recognised hotspot.
Many hotspots are located in tropical and subtropical regions.
South-East Asian islands are part of several major biodiversity hotspots and are very rich in biodiversity.
The concept of biodiversity hotspots was introduced by Norman Myers. To qualify as a hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria: it must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics (> 0.5 percent of the world’s total), and it must have lost at least 70 percent of its primary vegetation. South-East Asian islands like Borneo, Sumatra, New Guinea, Philippines, etc., are home to unique and diverse flora and fauna.

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24. Which of the following is not true about Giant Panda ?

Which of the following is not true about Giant Panda ?

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It is a logo of WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature)
Giant Pandas are naturally found in Tibet and Southwest China
Giant Pandas are worst invasive species of the world
Giant Pandas feed on Bamboos
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2009
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The Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a well-known symbol of conservation and is the logo of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) (Statement A is true). They are native to a few mountain ranges in central China, primarily Sichuan, but also Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, which is part of Southwest China and historically related to Tibetan areas (Statement B is true). Their diet consists almost exclusively of bamboo (Statement D is true). Giant Pandas are critically endangered or vulnerable (status changes over time due to conservation efforts) native species, not invasive species. Invasive species are non-native species that cause harm to the new environment.
– Giant Pandas are native to China, primarily feeding on bamboo.
– They are the logo of WWF and are a vulnerable/endangered species.
– Giant Pandas are not invasive species; they are native to their habitat and are facing threats, not posing them to a new environment.
Conservation efforts, including habitat protection and breeding programs, have helped improve the status of Giant Pandas from endangered to vulnerable in recent years, although significant threats still remain.

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25. Which one of the following statements about biodiversity is not correc

Which one of the following statements about biodiversity is not correct ?

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The term 'biodiversity' was coined by Walter G. Rosen in 1986.
The term 'biodiversity hotspots' was coined by Norman Myers in 1988.
The regions having richest biodiversity are called 'biodiversity hotspots'.
More than 100 hotspots of biodiversity are identified in the world.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2021
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The correct option is D, More than 100 hotspots of biodiversity are identified in the world.
Let’s evaluate each statement:
A) The term ‘biodiversity’ was indeed coined by Walter G. Rosen in 1986 during the first National Forum on Biological Diversity.
B) The term ‘biodiversity hotspots’ was coined by Norman Myers in 1988.
C) Biodiversity hotspots are defined as regions with a high level of endemic species that are also under significant threat of habitat loss. They represent areas with particularly rich biodiversity, but are also vulnerable.
D) The number of identified biodiversity hotspots is significantly less than 100. Norman Myers initially identified 10 in 1988 and added 8 more in 1990. Conservation International, which is the leading body in this area, currently recognizes 36 biodiversity hotspots globally.
A biodiversity hotspot must meet two strict criteria: it must have at least 1,500 vascular plants as endemics (which means it has a high percentage of plant life found nowhere else on Earth) and it must have 30% or less of its original natural vegetation (it must be threatened). The 36 hotspots currently identified contain over half of the world’s vascular plant species as endemics and 42% of all terrestrial vertebrates as endemics, all within just 2.5% of the Earth’s land surface. Statement D is factually incorrect regarding the number of identified hotspots.

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26. Which one of the following is NOT a reason of decrease in biodiversity

Which one of the following is NOT a reason of decrease in biodiversity ?

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Large scale deforestation
Exploitation of forest produce
Maintaining sacred groves
Encroachment in forest areas
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2020
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Biodiversity decrease is primarily driven by human activities that destroy or degrade habitats, overexploit resources, introduce invasive species, pollute the environment, or cause climate change.
A) Large scale deforestation: This is a major cause of habitat loss and fragmentation, leading to a decrease in biodiversity.
B) Exploitation of forest produce: Overexploitation of timber, non-timber forest products, or wildlife can deplete populations and reduce biodiversity.
C) Maintaining sacred groves: Sacred groves are patches of forest or natural vegetation traditionally protected by communities due to religious or cultural beliefs. They often serve as refuges for local flora and fauna and help in conserving biodiversity, thus acting as a reason for *maintaining* or *increasing* biodiversity, not decreasing it.
D) Encroachment in forest areas: This involves converting forest land for agriculture, settlements, or other uses, resulting in habitat loss and a decrease in biodiversity.
Therefore, maintaining sacred groves is NOT a reason for the decrease in biodiversity; it is a conservation practice.
Maintaining sacred groves is a traditional conservation practice that helps protect biodiversity.
Other significant reasons for biodiversity loss include climate change, pollution, and the spread of invasive alien species. Sacred groves are examples of In situ conservation efforts by communities.

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27. Which one of the following cities is associated with Biosafety Protoco

Which one of the following cities is associated with Biosafety Protocol to the Convention on Biological Diversity (2000) ?

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Geneva
Nairobi
Cartagena
Rio de Janeiro
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2020
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The correct answer is C) Cartagena.
The Biosafety Protocol to the Convention on Biological Diversity is officially known as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. It was adopted in Montreal on January 29, 2000, and entered into force on September 11, 2003.
The protocol is named after Cartagena, Colombia, where an extraordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity was held in February 1999 with the aim of finalizing the text of the Protocol. Although the final agreement was reached later in Montreal, the name “Cartagena” was retained. Rio de Janeiro hosted the Earth Summit in 1992 where the Convention on Biological Diversity itself was adopted.

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28. With reference to biodiversity, which of the following statements is/a

With reference to biodiversity, which of the following statements is/are correct ?

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  • 1. Species richness and high degree of endemism are important criteria for identifying biodiversity hot spots.
  • 2. Species diversity is highest in the tropics and decreases down the poles.
  • 3. Biodiversity conservation may be in situ as well as ex situ.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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1 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
1 and 3 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2016
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All three statements are correct regarding biodiversity.
Biodiversity hotspots are defined by high species richness and a high proportion of endemic species that are under threat. Species diversity generally follows a latitudinal gradient, being highest near the equator and decreasing towards the poles. Conservation efforts can be implemented in situ (in the organism’s natural habitat) or ex situ (outside the natural habitat, like in zoos or gene banks).
Statement 1 accurately describes key criteria for identifying biodiversity hotspots. Statement 2 describes a well-established ecological pattern. Statement 3 covers the two main approaches to biodiversity conservation.

29. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recently

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recently categorized the Red Sanders (Red Sandalwood) into

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deficient category
endangered category
near-threatened category
critically endangered category
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2022
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The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recently categorized the Red Sanders (Red Sandalwood) as Endangered.
In March 2021, the IUCN Red List re-categorized Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus), a tree species endemic to parts of Andhra Pradesh, from ‘Near Threatened’ back to ‘Endangered’. This change was primarily due to the continued illegal harvesting and trade of the species.
Red Sanders is valued for its rich red colour and is used in furniture, carvings, and traditional medicine. Its illegal logging and smuggling pose a significant threat to its population.

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30. According to IUCN Red list, a ‘vulnerable’ species is one which :

According to IUCN Red list, a ‘vulnerable’ species is one which :

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is likely to become endangered in the near future.
has a very high risk of getting extinct in the wild.
is known only to survive in the wild.
is known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2024
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According to the IUCN Red List categories, a ‘Vulnerable’ (VU) species is defined as one which is not Critically Endangered or Endangered but is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future. Option A, “likely to become endangered in the near future,” aligns closely with this definition, indicating a step below ‘Endangered’ but facing a significant threat level. Option B describes the ‘Endangered’ category (very high risk), and Options C and D describe variations related to ‘Extinct in the Wild’.
A Vulnerable species faces a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future.
The IUCN Red List is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. Species are classified into nine categories: Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least Concern, Data Deficient, and Not Evaluated.

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