Daily Static Quiz (Environment) March 20, 2025
Daily Static Quiz (Environment)
Question 1: With reference to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), consider the following statements:
It is a body established jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
It conducts its own original scientific research on climate change.
Its assessment reports form the scientific basis for international climate negotiations.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 2 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Question 2: With reference to the Stockholm Convention, which of the following statements is/are correct?
It is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
It was adopted in 1992 during the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro.
India has ratified the convention but with certain reservations regarding the listing of some chemicals.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Question 3: Which of the following is NOT a criterion for identifying a Ramsar site of international importance?
A) It contains representative, rare, or unique wetland types
B) It supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species
C) It must be at least 10,000 hectares in size
D) It regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds
Question 4: The Kigali Amendment, which entered into force on January 1, 2019, is related to which of the following international environmental agreements?
A) Paris Agreement on Climate Change
B) Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
C) Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
D) Convention on Biological Diversity
Question 5: With reference to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), consider the following statements:
The Kyoto Protocol set legally binding emissions reduction targets for all signatory countries.
The Paris Agreement allows countries to set their own nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
The Conference of Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC.
The principle of “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities” was first established in the Paris Agreement.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1, 2 and 4 only
D) 2, 3 and 4 only
Biodiversity of World
Question 6: Consider the following statements about biodiversity:
Genetic diversity refers to the variety of genetic information contained in all individual plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Species diversity refers to the variety of species within a region.
Ecosystem diversity refers to the variation in composition of species among different ecosystems.
India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries, hosting all of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1, 2 and 3 only
B) 2, 3 and 4 only
C) 1, 2 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Question 7: Which of the following factors do NOT contribute to making an area a biodiversity hotspot, as defined by Conservation International?
A) It must contain at least 1,500 species of endemic vascular plants
B) It must have lost at least 70% of its original habitat
C) It must be located in a tropical or subtropical region
D) It must have high species richness and high levels of endemism
Question 8: With reference to biodiversity conservation strategies, consider the following statements:
In-situ conservation focuses on conserving species in their natural habitats, while ex-situ conservation involves conservation outside natural habitats.
Sacred groves are an example of community-based in-situ conservation practice in India.
The Global Seed Vault in Svalbard, Norway, is an example of ex-situ conservation focused exclusively on agricultural crop diversity.
Wildlife sanctuaries allow for certain human activities, whereas national parks are more strictly protected with minimal human interference.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 4 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1, 2 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ocean Acidification
Question 9: Consider the following statements regarding ocean acidification:
It is primarily caused by the ocean’s absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
It leads to an increase in the pH value of ocean water.
It makes it more difficult for marine calcifying organisms to form shells and skeletons.
Upwelling zones typically experience lower rates of acidification compared to other ocean areas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 2 and 4 only
C) 1, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Question 10: Which of the following are potential consequences of ocean acidification?
Reduced calcification rates in coral reefs
Increased availability of essential nutrients for phytoplankton
Altered sensory abilities and behavior in some fish species
Enhanced growth of seagrass and some types of algae
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 2 and 4 only
C) 1, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer Key with Explanations
Answer 1: A) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: The IPCC was established in 1988 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The IPCC does not conduct its own original scientific research. Instead, it assesses and synthesizes the most recent scientific, technical, and socio-economic information produced worldwide relevant to understanding climate change.
Statement 3 is correct: The IPCC’s assessment reports provide the scientific foundation for international climate negotiations, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement.
Answer 2: B) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty focused on protecting human health and the environment from Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which are chemical substances that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose risks to human health and the environment.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Stockholm Convention was not adopted during the 1992 Earth Summit. It was adopted in 2001 in Stockholm, Sweden, and entered into force in 2004. The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 resulted in the adoption of other environmental agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UNFCCC.
Statement 3 is correct: India ratified the Stockholm Convention in January 2006. However, India has made reservations regarding the listing of certain chemicals, particularly DDT (which India still uses for malaria control under strict regulations) and some industrial chemicals for which phase-out periods were sought.
Answer 3: C) It must be at least 10,000 hectares in size
Explanation:
The Ramsar Convention, officially known as the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, establishes several criteria for identifying wetlands of international importance. However, there is no minimum size requirement of 10,000 hectares for a wetland to qualify as a Ramsar site. Even small wetlands can be designated as Ramsar sites if they meet other criteria.
The actual criteria include containing representative, rare, or unique wetland types; supporting vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species; regularly supporting 20,000 or more waterbirds; and being an important source of food for fishes, spawning ground, nursery and/or migration path, among others.
Answer 4: B) Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
Explanation:
The Kigali Amendment is an amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. It was adopted in Kigali, Rwanda in October 2016 and entered into force on January 1, 2019.
While the original Montreal Protocol focused on phasing out substances that deplete the ozone layer (like CFCs), the Kigali Amendment specifically targets the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HFCs don’t deplete the ozone layer but are potent greenhouse gases with high global warming potentials that were widely adopted as alternatives to ozone-depleting substances.
Answer 5: B) 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Kyoto Protocol did not set legally binding emissions reduction targets for all signatory countries. It only established binding targets for developed countries (listed in Annex I of the UNFCCC), while developing countries were not given binding targets.
Statement 2 is correct: The Paris Agreement introduced an approach where all countries are required to submit their own “nationally determined contributions” (NDCs). These are voluntary commitments that countries set for themselves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Statement 3 is correct: The Conference of Parties (COP) is indeed the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC. It meets annually to review the implementation of the Convention and make decisions to promote effective implementation.
Statement 4 is incorrect: The principle of “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities” was not first established in the Paris Agreement. It is a foundational principle of the UNFCCC itself, which was adopted in 1992.
Answer 6: A) 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Genetic diversity refers to the variety of genes within a species, including genetic variations among individuals of the same species or populations.
Statement 2 is correct: Species diversity refers to the variety and abundance of different types of organisms that inhabit an area, considering both the number of species and their relative abundance.
Statement 3 is correct: Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of ecosystems in a given region or on Earth as a whole, encompassing the diversity of habitats, living communities, and ecological processes.
Statement 4 is incorrect: While India is indeed one of the 17 megadiverse countries, it hosts only 4 of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots (not all 36). These 4 hotspots are the Western Ghats, the Eastern Himalayas, Indo-Burma, and Sundaland (which includes the Nicobar Islands).
Answer 7: C) It must be located in a tropical or subtropical region
Explanation:
Conservation International defined biodiversity hotspots based on two strict criteria:
Endemism: A hotspot must contain at least 1,500 species of endemic vascular plants (plants found nowhere else on Earth).
Threat: A hotspot must have lost at least 70% of its original native habitat.
While many biodiversity hotspots are located in tropical and subtropical regions due to higher biodiversity in these areas, being in a tropical or subtropical region is not a defining criterion. There are several biodiversity hotspots in temperate regions as well, such as the Mediterranean Basin, the California Floristic Province, and the Mountains of Central Asia.
Answer 8: C) 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: In-situ conservation involves conserving species in their natural habitats by protecting the ecosystem in which they exist naturally. Ex-situ conservation involves conservation outside natural habitats, such as in zoos, botanical gardens, and gene banks.
Statement 2 is correct: Sacred groves are patches of forest protected by local communities due to cultural, religious, or spiritual beliefs. They represent a traditional form of community-based in-situ conservation in India.
Statement 3 is incorrect: While the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard, Norway is an example of ex-situ conservation, it does not focus exclusively on agricultural crop diversity. It stores seeds of various wild plant species as well, serving as a backup for seed banks worldwide.
Statement 4 is correct: In India’s protected area network, wildlife sanctuaries allow for certain regulated human activities. National parks are more strictly protected areas where human activities are minimized, focusing primarily on ecosystem conservation with minimal human interference.
Answer 9: A) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Ocean acidification is primarily caused by the ocean’s absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, increasing the acidity of the water.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Ocean acidification leads to a decrease in the pH value of ocean water, not an increase. As the ocean absorbs more CO2, the concentration of hydrogen ions increases, causing the pH to decrease.
Statement 3 is correct: Ocean acidification makes it more difficult for marine calcifying organisms like corals, mollusks, and certain plankton to form their calcium carbonate shells and skeletons. This occurs because increased acidity reduces the availability of carbonate ions these organisms need.
Statement 4 is incorrect: Upwelling zones typically experience higher rates of acidification compared to other ocean areas, not lower. Upwelling brings naturally CO2-rich deep water to the surface, which, combined with additional CO2 from human activities, can result in more intense acidification.
Answer 10: C) 1, 3 and 4 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Ocean acidification reduces the availability of carbonate ions in seawater, which are essential for calcification processes. This leads to reduced calcification rates in coral reefs, making it harder for corals to build their calcium carbonate skeletons.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Ocean acidification does not generally increase the availability of essential nutrients for phytoplankton. It may indirectly affect nutrient cycling in marine ecosystems, potentially limiting nutrient availability.
Statement 3 is correct: Research has shown that ocean acidification can alter the sensory abilities and behavior of some fish species. It can impair olfactory function, which fish use to detect predators, find food, and locate suitable habitats.
Statement 4 is correct: While many marine organisms are negatively affected by ocean acidification, some species may benefit from changes in seawater chemistry. Certain types of seagrass and algae conduct photosynthesis more efficiently with increased CO2 levels, potentially leading to enhanced growth rates.