Daily Static Quiz (Environment) Dec 13, 2025

Daily Static Quiz (Environment) Dec 13, 2025

Question 1

Consider the following statements regarding an international organization that publishes the Living Planet Report every two years:

1. It monitors vertebrate population trends from around 31,821 populations of 5,230 species globally.

2. The index uses a geometric mean method to calculate average rates of change in biodiversity.

3. It is managed jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Wildlife Fund.

4. The 2024 report indicates an average decline of 73% in vertebrate populations between 1970 and 2020.

Which of the statements above are correct?

A) 1, 2 and 4 only

B) 1, 2 and 3 only

C) 2 and 4 only

D) 1, 3 and 4 only

Question 2

A specialized agency established in India to combat organized wildlife crime through intelligence gathering, data collection, and coordination with enforcement agencies works under which of the following ministries and was formed in which year?

A) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; 2005

B) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; 2007

C) Ministry of Home Affairs; 2007

D) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; 2009

Question 3

Which of the following statements correctly describes the role of Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) in ozone depletion?

1. PSCs form at temperatures below -78°C in the stratosphere during polar winter.

2. They provide surfaces for chemical reactions that convert inactive chlorine compounds into highly reactive forms.

3. They directly absorb ultraviolet radiation, thereby depleting the ozone layer.

4. When sunlight returns in spring, the reactive chlorine released catalyzes rapid ozone destruction.

Select the correct answer using the codes below:

A) 1, 2 and 4 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1, 2, 3 and 4

D) 3 and 4 only

Question 4

Consider the following statements about lentic ecosystems:

1. Lentic ecosystems are characterized by still or stagnant water bodies like lakes, ponds, and marshes.

2. The littoral zone is the deepest region where no sunlight penetrates and organisms depend on organic debris.

3. The limnetic zone is where maximum photosynthesis occurs due to adequate sunlight and presence of plankton.

4. The benthic zone forms the bottom layer where decomposition of organic matter primarily occurs.

Which of the above statements are INCORRECT?

A) 1 and 3 only

B) 2 only

C) 2 and 4 only

D) 3 and 4 only

Question 5

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) was adopted in which year and contains how many main annexes addressing different types of maritime pollution?

A) 1973; 5 annexes

B) 1973; 6 annexes

C) 1983; 5 annexes

D) 1973; 4 annexes

Question 6

A gradual change in species composition and community characteristics across an environmental gradient such as altitude, temperature, or moisture is termed as:

A) Ecological succession

B) Ecocline

C) Ecotone

D) Ecosystem fragmentation

Question 7

Which of the following correctly describes the objectives of the National Policy on Biofuels (2018) in India?

1. It aims to achieve 20% blending of biofuels with fossil-based fuels by 2030.

2. It encourages the use of only food grains for biofuel production to maximize agricultural output.

3. It provides a viability gap funding scheme of Rs. 5,000 crore over 6 years for 2G ethanol bio-refineries.

4. It promotes supply chain mechanisms for biodiesel production from non-edible oilseeds and used cooking oil.

Select the correct answer:

A) 1, 2 and 3 only

B) 1, 3 and 4 only

C) 2, 3 and 4 only

D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 8

Consider the statements below regarding the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF):

1. WWF is the world’s largest independent conservation organization with over 5 million supporters.

2. It prioritizes work in 35 sites, 36 species, and 6 areas of high ecological footprint globally.

3. Its work is organized around 6 major focus areas: forests, oceans, wildlife, food, climate & energy, and freshwater.

4. WWF has designed 8 global initiatives to address conservation priorities strategically.

Which statements are correct?

A) 1, 2 and 3 only

B) 2, 3 and 4 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) All of the above

Question 9

An international agreement adopted at COP16 in Cali, Colombia (2024) to share benefits from Digital Sequence Information on genetic resources more fairly and equitably is known as:

A) The Quito Adjustment

B) The Cali Fund

C) The Kunming-Montreal Framework

D) The Kazan Declaration

Question 10

Which of the following statements about MARPOL Annex VI is/are correct?

1. It regulates air pollution emissions from ships, including nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides.

2. It came into force on 19 May 2005.

3. It establishes Sulfur Emission Control Areas (SECAs) with limits on sulfur content in fuel.

4. It prohibits all forms of incineration on ships without exception.

Choose the correct answer:

A) 1, 2 and 3 only

B) 1 and 2 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) All of the above

ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

Question 1 – Answer: A (1, 2 and 4 only)

Explanation:

The Living Planet Index (LPI) is managed by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) in cooperation with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), not jointly by UNEP and WWF. Therefore, statement 3 is incorrect.

Statement 1 is correct: The 2024 Living Planet Index is based on 34,836 populations of 5,495 species (approximately matching the 31,821 populations mentioned).

Statement 2 is correct: The LPI uses a weighted geometric mean method to calculate average rates of change in biodiversity at species and realm levels.

Statement 4 is correct: The 2024 Living Planet Report explicitly shows an average decline of 73% in vertebrate population abundance between 1970 and 2020.

Key Concept: The Living Planet Index serves as a critical global biodiversity indicator and is widely used in multilateral conventions and policy assessments to track the state of vertebrate populations.

Question 2 – Answer: B (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; 2007)

Explanation:

The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) is a statutory body established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It was formally established on June 6, 2007, with headquarters in New Delhi.

The WCCB’s primary mandates include:

• Collecting and collating intelligence on organized wildlife crime

• Maintaining a centralized wildlife crime data bank

• Coordinating actions among various enforcement agencies

• Assisting international organizations in wildlife crime control

• Building capacity of wildlife crime enforcement agencies

• Advising the Government of India on wildlife crime issues

The bureau plays a crucial role in combating poaching, illegal wildlife trade, and ensuring successful prosecutions under the Wildlife Protection Act.

Question 3 – Answer: A (1, 2 and 4 only)

Explanation:

Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect.

Statement 1 (Correct): PSCs form at extremely low temperatures (below -78°C) in the stratosphere during polar winter months when conditions are sufficiently cold.

Statement 2 (Correct): PSCs provide surfaces for heterogeneous chemical reactions that convert stable chlorine reservoir compounds (like hydrogen chloride and chlorine nitrate) into highly reactive forms (like chlorine gas and chlorine monoxide radicals).

Statement 3 (Incorrect): PSCs do not directly absorb UV radiation and deplete ozone. Rather, they facilitate chemical reactions that activate ozone-depleting substances. The actual ozone destruction occurs when sunlight returns.

Statement 4 (Correct): When sunlight returns to polar regions in spring, the reactive chlorine and bromine compounds undergo photolysis, releasing free radicals that catalyze the rapid destruction of ozone molecules, leading to the “ozone hole.”

Key Concept: PSCs play a dual role in ozone depletion: they activate chlorine and bromine reservoirs into reactive forms, and they also remove HNO₃ and H₂O through sedimentation, prolonging ozone depletion.

Question 4 – Answer: B (2 only)

Explanation:

Statement 1 (Correct): Lentic ecosystems are indeed characterized by still or stagnant water bodies, including lakes, ponds, marshes, and swamps.

Statement 2 (Incorrect): This statement reverses the characteristics of two zones. The littoral zone is the shallow, nearshore region where rooted aquatic plants can exist and adequate sunlight penetrates. The profundal or aphotic zone is the deepest region where no sunlight penetrates and organisms depend on organic debris drifting from above.

Statement 3 (Correct): The limnetic zone (also called pelagic zone) is the open water area away from the shore where adequate sunlight allows for maximum photosynthesis, and where plankton and fish thrive.

Statement 4 (Correct): The benthic zone forms the bottom layer of lentic ecosystems where dead and decaying organisms accumulate, and where decomposition primarily occurs. Bottom-dwelling organisms feed on this organic matter.

Key Concept: Lentic ecosystems are divided into distinct zones (littoral, limnetic, and benthic) based on light penetration, distance from shore, and depth, each supporting different communities of organisms.

Question 5 – Answer: B (1973; 6 annexes)

Explanation:

MARPOL, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, was adopted in 1973 (with amendments in 1978, hence often referred to as MARPOL 73/78). The convention contains 6 main annexes, each addressing different types of maritime pollution:

1. Annex I: Regulations for the prevention of pollution by oil

2. Annex II: Regulations for the control of pollution by noxious liquid substances

3. Annex III: Regulations for the prevention of pollution by harmful substances carried by sea as packaged goods

4. Annex IV: Regulations for the prevention of pollution by sewage from ships

5. Annex V: Regulations for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships

6. Annex VI: Regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships (came into force on 19 May 2005)

Annex VI specifically addresses air pollution including sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, ozone-depleting substances, and volatile organic compounds.

Key Concept: MARPOL is the primary international regulation preventing ship-generated marine pollution through a comprehensive framework addressing multiple pollution sources.

Question 6 – Answer: B (Ecocline)

Explanation:

Ecocline refers to a gradual change in the characteristics of species composition and community structure across an environmental gradient. This term was coined by ecologists to describe the phenomenon where vegetation and fauna gradually change as environmental conditions shift—such as altitude, temperature, moisture, or precipitation—without sharp boundaries between communities.

For example, as altitude increases on a mountain slope, temperature decreases and precipitation patterns change. Correspondingly, vegetation gradually transitions from tropical forests to temperate forests to alpine meadows, representing an ecocline.

Distinguishing Similar Terms:

• Ecological Succession: Directional change in species composition over time at a fixed location

• Ecocline: Spatial gradient in species composition across an environmental gradient

• Ecotone: A transitional zone between two distinct ecosystems with characteristics of both

Key Concept: Ecoclines demonstrate the gradual nature of ecological change across landscapes and are fundamental to understanding community ecology and biogeography.

Question 7 – Answer: B (1, 3 and 4 only)

Explanation:

Statement 1 (Correct): The National Policy on Biofuels 2018 explicitly aims at achieving an indicative target of 20% blending of biofuels with fossil-based fuels by 2030.

Statement 2 (Incorrect): The policy allows the use of surplus food grains for ethanol production, not exclusively. It promotes the use of multiple feedstocks including non-edible oilseeds, used cooking oil, and surplus grains to ensure adequate and sustained availability of diverse feedstock.

Statement 3 (Correct): The policy provides a viability gap funding scheme of Rs. 5,000 crore over 6 years for second-generation (2G) ethanol bio-refineries, along with additional tax incentives and higher purchase prices to promote advanced biofuels.

Statement 4 (Correct): The policy encourages the establishment of supply chain mechanisms for biodiesel production from multiple sources: non-edible oilseeds, used cooking oil, and short gestation crops to ensure sustainable biofuel production.

Policy Objectives:

• Ensure domestic feedstock availability

• Increase farmers’ income

• Reduce import dependency

• Generate employment

• Create wealth from waste

Key Concept: The 2018 policy represents a strategic approach to biofuel production, emphasizing diversified feedstocks, advanced biofuels, and sustainable energy security.

Question 8 – Answer: A (1, 2 and 3 only)

Explanation:

Statement 1 (Correct): WWF is indeed one of the world’s largest independent conservation organizations with over 5 million supporters globally and a network active in over 100 countries.

Statement 2 (Correct): Within its global framework, WWF has prioritized 35 specific sites, 36 species, and 6 areas of high ecological footprint to focus at least 80% of its conservation efforts on urgent, coordinated action.

Statement 3 (Correct): WWF’s work is organized around 6 major focus areas: forests, oceans, wildlife, food, climate & energy, and freshwater, along with 3 key drivers of environmental problems (markets, finance, and governance).

Statement 4 (Incorrect): WWF has designed 14 global initiatives (not 8) to strategically address conservation priorities, spanning multiple thematic areas and geographic regions.

WWF’s Mission: To stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

Key Concept: WWF operates as a comprehensive conservation organization addressing biodiversity, climate, and ecosystem challenges through strategic global initiatives and partnerships.

Question 9 – Answer: B (The Cali Fund)

Explanation:

The Cali Fund is a groundbreaking international mechanism established at COP16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity held in Cali, Colombia in October-November 2024. This fund operationalizes the multilateral mechanism agreed upon at COP15 for sharing benefits from Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on genetic resources more fairly and equitably.

Significance: The Cali Fund represents a historic decision addressing one of the most important dimensions of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). It ensures that countries and communities whose genetic resources are used by researchers and companies for developing new products (particularly pharmaceuticals and agricultural innovations) receive fair and equitable benefit-sharing.

Distinguishing Other Terms:

• Kazan Declaration: Not a major COP16 outcome

• Quito Adjustment: Related to CITES wildlife trade regulations, not genetic resource benefits

• Kunming-Montreal Framework: The broader 2022 global biodiversity framework of which the Cali Fund is a component

Key Concept: Digital Sequence Information allows scientists to access genetic sequences remotely without physical specimens, necessitating new benefit-sharing mechanisms to ensure equitable distribution of profits from genetic resource utilization.

Question 10 – Answer: A (1, 2 and 3 only)

Explanation:

Statement 1 (Correct): MARPOL Annex VI regulates air pollution emissions from ships, including controls on nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), ozone-depleting substances, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter from marine diesel engines exceeding 130 kW.

Statement 2 (Correct): MARPOL Annex VI came into force on 19 May 2005, introducing comprehensive requirements for air pollution prevention from maritime operations.

Statement 3 (Correct): The annex establishes Sulfur Emission Control Areas (SECAs), particularly in regions like the North Sea. Within SECAs, bunker fuels must have sulfur content below 0.1% (1000 ppm), with the global limit set at 0.5% outside such areas.

Statement 4 (Incorrect): MARPOL Annex VI does not prohibit all incineration without exception. Rather, it regulates shipboard incineration and establishes requirements for reception facilities for incinerator wastes. It imposes strict controls on incineration processes but does not completely prohibit them.

Regulatory Framework:

• Chapter 1: General provisions

• Chapter 2: Survey, certification, and control of air pollution (7 regulations)

• Chapter 3: Requirements for controlling emissions (7 regulations)

Key Concept: MARPOL Annex VI represents a comprehensive international framework addressing maritime air pollution and establishing differentiated emission standards for various sea areas based on environmental vulnerability.

Daily Static Quiz