Environment and Ecology

281. Which one among the following phenomena includes processes, such as pr

Which one among the following phenomena includes processes, such as production, predation, nutrient transformation, and the influx and efflux of energy and materials ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Ecological function” option2=”Ecosystem function” option3=”Ecosystem structure” option4=”Biogeochemical cycles” correct=”option2″]

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UPSC CAPF – 2011
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The phenomenon that includes processes like production, predation, nutrient transformation, and the influx and efflux of energy and materials is known as ecosystem function.
Ecosystem functions are the physical, chemical, and biological processes that take place within an ecosystem. These include primary production (conversion of light energy into organic matter, ‘production’), consumption (herbivory, predation), decomposition (breakdown of organic matter, leading to ‘nutrient transformation’), and the overall flow of energy and cycling of materials (‘influx and efflux of energy and materials’). These processes describe how an ecosystem works and maintains itself.
Ecological function is a broader term that could refer to the role of an organism or a process within an ecosystem, but “ecosystem function” specifically describes the sum of processes within the ecosystem itself. Ecosystem structure refers to the composition of the ecosystem (species, biomass, etc.). Biogeochemical cycles are specific pathways of elemental cycling, which are *part* of ecosystem functions but do not encompass all the processes listed (like production and predation as energy flow components).

282. Which of the following processes would explain ozone losses in the atm

Which of the following processes would explain ozone losses in the atmosphere? When ozone is exposed to

  • 1. CFCs and UV radiation.
  • 2. long winter circumpolar winds to form ice crystals.
  • 3. singlet oxygen atom and chlorine monoxide.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3″ option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 2 only” option4=”1 and 3 only” correct=”option1″]

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UPSC CAPF – 2011
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All three listed processes contribute to ozone losses in the atmosphere.
1. CFCs (and other halogenated hydrocarbons like halons) are transported to the stratosphere where UV radiation breaks them down, releasing reactive chlorine and bromine atoms. These halogen atoms catalyze the destruction of ozone (O3). Thus, statement 1 is correct.
2. In polar regions during winter, extremely cold temperatures and the presence of the polar vortex (circumpolar winds) lead to the formation of Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs), which can consist of ice crystals or nitric acid particles. These clouds provide surfaces for heterogeneous chemical reactions that convert less reactive halogen compounds into highly reactive forms (like Cl2). When sunlight returns in spring, these reactive forms are photolyzed, releasing large amounts of chlorine and bromine atoms, leading to rapid ozone depletion (the ozone hole). Thus, statement 2 is correct.
3. Ozone destruction primarily occurs through catalytic cycles involving reactive species. A key cycle involves chlorine monoxide (ClO) and oxygen atoms (O). Chlorine atoms react with ozone (Cl + O3 -> ClO + O2). Chlorine monoxide then reacts with an oxygen atom (ClO + O -> Cl + O2), regenerating the chlorine atom. The oxygen atoms (O) in the stratosphere are formed by the photolysis of oxygen molecules (O2) by UV light; these can be in ground (triplet) or excited (singlet) states, and both react with ClO. Thus, statement 3 refers to the reactive intermediates and partners involved in the catalytic destruction cycle and is correct.
The processes described in statements 1, 2, and 3 collectively explain how human-produced substances like CFCs lead to significant ozone depletion, particularly pronounced over the polar regions due to the unique meteorological conditions that facilitate the reactions on PSCs.

283. What is the correct sequence for treatment of polluted surface water ?

What is the correct sequence for treatment of polluted surface water ?

  • 1. Disinfection and fluoridation
  • 2. Screening and mixing
  • 3. Flocculation and sedimentation
  • 4. Filtration and sludge processing

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1-2-3-4″ option2=”3-4-1-2″ option3=”2-3-4-1″ option4=”3-2-1-4″ correct=”option3″]

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UPSC CAPF – 2011
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The correct sequence for the typical treatment of polluted surface water from the given options is 2-3-4-1. This corresponds to Screening & mixing, followed by Flocculation & sedimentation, then Filtration & sludge processing, and finally Disinfection & fluoridation.
The standard sequence of surface water treatment involves removing large debris (screening), coagulating small particles (mixing, flocculation), settling the flocs (sedimentation), removing remaining suspended particles (filtration), and killing microorganisms (disinfection). Optional steps like fluoridation are added after disinfection. Sludge processing is a parallel or subsequent treatment for the solid waste generated.
The complete conventional water treatment process typically includes: 1. Screening (removes large debris), 2. Aeration (optional, adds oxygen), 3. Coagulation (chemicals added to neutralize charges), 4. Flocculation (gentle mixing to form larger flocs), 5. Sedimentation/Clarification (settling of flocs), 6. Filtration (removes smaller particles), 7. Disinfection (kills pathogens, e.g., chlorination, UV, ozonation), 8. pH adjustment (if needed), 9. Fluoridation (optional, adds fluoride for dental health), 10. Sludge treatment (handling waste from sedimentation and filtration). The provided options represent key stages in this overall process in sequential order.

284. Why is Nagpur promoted as the tiger capital of the world ? 1. Nagpu

Why is Nagpur promoted as the tiger capital of the world ?

  • 1. Nagpur is the major store house of tigers as the districts adjacent to Nagpur have many tiger reserves and sanctuaries.
  • 2. Nagpur has infrastructure that can support a large tourist industry.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option3″]

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UPSC CAPF – 2011
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Both statements contribute to Nagpur being promoted as the ‘Tiger Capital’. Statement 1 is correct because Nagpur is strategically located near several major tiger reserves and sanctuaries in Central India, including Pench, Tadoba-Andhari, Melghat, Bor, and relatively accessible ones like Kanha and Satpura, making it a crucial hub for tiger conservation and sightings. Statement 2 is also correct; Nagpur has developed infrastructure, including an international airport, good rail and road connectivity, and various accommodation options, which is essential to support the tourism influx generated by visitors heading to these nearby tiger reserves.
– Nagpur’s proximity to a high concentration of tiger reserves makes it a gateway to these habitats.
– Adequate tourism infrastructure is necessary to handle the flow of wildlife tourists.
– Both factors combined justify the promotion of Nagpur as the ‘Tiger Capital’.
The government and tourism industry actively promote Nagpur’s connectivity and facilities to position it as the ideal base for exploring the tiger landscapes of Central India. The geographical location and developed infrastructure together enhance its importance for tiger tourism.

285. Which of the following statements regarding Chipko Movement is/are cor

Which of the following statements regarding Chipko Movement is/are correct ?

  • 1. Chipko Movement took place in the early 1970s against the introduction of commercial forestry.
  • 2. Chipko refers to a single movement and not a collective of several movements.
  • 3. Chipko did not begin as a movement for conservation but primarily as an economic struggle, the root of which lay in rural and peasant protests.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 3″ option3=”2 only” option4=”1 and 2″ correct=”option2″]

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UPSC CAPF – 2011
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Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The Chipko Movement did indeed take place in the early 1970s, primarily in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, opposing commercial logging by contractors that threatened the traditional forest rights of local communities (Statement 1). While it became famous for environmental conservation, its initial roots were primarily in the economic struggles of villagers dependent on forests for their livelihoods, who were protesting against unfair allocation of forest resources to outsiders (Statement 3). Statement 2 is incorrect; Chipko is often used as a collective term for a series of similar protests and movements involving villagers hugging trees to prevent felling across different parts of the Himalayas over time, not a single, monolithic movement.
The Chipko Movement is a landmark example of environmental activism rooted in socio-economic issues and community participation, particularly by women, in rural India.
Key figures associated with the Chipko Movement include Sunderlal Bahuguna and Chandi Prasad Bhatt. The movement successfully pressured the government to ban logging in sensitive areas of the Himalayas for several years.

286. Which of the following statements regarding United Nations Environment

Which of the following statements regarding United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is/are correct ?

  • 1. The theme for the year 2011 is ‘Forest : Nature at Your Service’.
  • 2. It underscores link between quality of life and health and forest ecosystem.
  • 3. India is declared as a global host of World Environment Day 2011.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3″ option2=”1 only” option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”1 and 2 only” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2011
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All three statements are correct regarding the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and World Environment Day (WED) in 2011. The theme for World Environment Day 2011 was ‘Forests: Nature at Your Service’, which highlights the vital ecosystem services provided by forests and their link to human well-being (Statements 1 and 2). India was indeed the global host country for World Environment Day 2011, organizing various events to mark the occasion (Statement 3).
World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5th and is the principal vehicle for the United Nations to encourage worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment. Each year, a theme and a host country are selected.
UNEP was established in 1972 and is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

287. Which one of the following is *not* a World Heritage Site as identifie

Which one of the following is *not* a World Heritage Site as identified by UNESCO ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Kaziranga National Park” option2=”Keoladeo National Park” option3=”Manas Wildlife Sanctuary” option4=”Bandipur National Park” correct=”option4″]

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UPSC CAPF – 2010
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Bandipur National Park is *not* a World Heritage Site identified by UNESCO, whereas Kaziranga, Keoladeo, and Manas National Parks are.
Kaziranga National Park (Assam) was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1985, recognized for its unique natural environment and significant population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan), formerly Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, was also inscribed in 1985 for its importance as a major wintering area for migratory birds. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (Assam) was inscribed in 1985 and later relisted in 2011 after being on the list of World Heritage in Danger, recognized for its exceptional biodiversity. Bandipur National Park (Karnataka) is a well-known tiger reserve and part of the larger Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, but it is not individually listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
While Bandipur is not a World Heritage Site itself, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which includes Bandipur along with other protected areas, is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

288. Why are governments of various countries finding it difficult so far t

Why are governments of various countries finding it difficult so far to agree on the ways and means to limit the greenhouse gas emission ?

  • 1. They fear that measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will have negative effects on their economy.
  • 2. The developing nations regard mandatory limits on their emissions as attempts by the richer countries to hobble their progress.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option3″]

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UPSC CAPF – 2010
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Both statements 1 and 2 provide valid reasons why governments find it difficult to agree on limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
Statement 1 is correct. Governments and industries often fear that stringent measures to reduce emissions, such as carbon taxes, cap-and-trade systems, or investments in costly clean technologies, could negatively impact economic competitiveness, lead to job losses, and slow down growth. Statement 2 is also correct. A major point of contention in international climate negotiations has been the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’, where developing nations argue that historical emissions are primarily from developed countries and that mandatory limits could hinder their necessary economic development and poverty reduction efforts. They often perceive such limits imposed by richer countries as attempts to restrict their growth.
These economic and equity concerns are central to the challenges faced in reaching comprehensive and binding international agreements on climate change mitigation, as seen in negotiations under the UNFCCC framework.

289. Which one of the following statements best describes the ‘carbon

Which one of the following statements best describes the ‘carbon price’?

[amp_mcq option1=”It is the cost of carbon emissions per unit of time.” option2=”It is the price paid for carbon credits in a cap-and-trade system.” option3=”It is the economic value put on greenhouse gas emissions.” option4=”It is the price of gasoline and diesel fuel which is heavily taxed by the government.” correct=”option3″]

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UPSC CAPF – 2010
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‘Carbon price’ is an economic instrument that puts a monetary value on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This value represents the cost of the environmental damage caused by emitting one additional unit of GHGs. It aims to make emitters pay for the external costs of their pollution, thereby incentivizing them to reduce emissions. While the price of carbon credits in a cap-and-trade system (B) is a *method* of establishing a carbon price, and taxing fuels (D) can incorporate a carbon price component, the definition (C) “the economic value put on greenhouse gas emissions” best describes the concept of carbon price itself.
Carbon pricing is a policy tool designed to use market mechanisms to mitigate climate change by reflecting the cost of emissions in the price of goods and services.
Carbon pricing mechanisms include carbon taxes (a direct tax on emissions) and cap-and-trade systems (setting a limit on total emissions and allowing emitters to trade permits). The carbon price should ideally reflect the social cost of carbon.

290. Which one of the following is a component of both the Basal Convention

Which one of the following is a component of both the Basal Convention and the Stockholm Convention?

[amp_mcq option1=”Mercury” option2=”Plastic waste” option3=”Persistent organic pollutants” option4=”Heavy metals” correct=”option3″]

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UPSC CAPF – 2010
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The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal regulates the movement and disposal of hazardous and other wastes. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of POPs and reduce their release into the environment. Hazardous wastes covered under the Basel Convention can include wastes containing POPs. The Stockholm Convention also addresses the environmentally sound management and disposal of POPs, which when in waste form, fall under the purview of the Basel Convention for transboundary movement. Therefore, Persistent Organic Pollutants are a component relevant to both conventions, especially in the context of POPs waste.
While Basel deals broadly with hazardous waste and Stockholm deals with specific persistent organic pollutants, the intersection occurs when POPs become waste, making POPs a relevant element to both agreements.
The Basel Convention was adopted in 1989 and entered into force in 1992. The Stockholm Convention was adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004. Other options like Mercury are covered by the Minamata Convention, and Plastic waste was recently added to the scope of the Basel Convention but is not the primary focus of the Stockholm Convention.
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