Daily Static Quiz (Environment) Jan 3, 2026

Daily Static Quiz (Environment) Jan 3, 2026

Question 1

Consider the following statements:

1. Bioaccumulation refers to the process by which toxic substances accumulate within a single organism over its lifetime, regardless of environmental concentration.
2. Biomagnification occurs when persistent organic pollutants (POPs) increase in concentration as they move up the food chain because predators accumulate toxins from multiple prey items.
3. Only lipophilic (fat-soluble) compounds undergo biomagnification in aquatic food webs, while hydrophilic compounds remain uniformly distributed.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Question 2

The “polluter pays principle” has been applied in India’s environmental jurisprudence primarily through:

1. Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) Act 2016, which mandates reforestation of diverted land
2. National Action Plan to Combat Desertification, requiring polluting industries to finance restoration
3. Green Credit Rules 2023, creating a voluntary market where industries can offset environmental damage through conservation actions

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Question 3

Consider the following statements about ecosystem services provided by biodiversity:

1. Regulating services include functions like nutrient cycling, soil formation, and disease regulation by predators, which are essential for ecosystem stability.
2. Provisioning services are limited to food production and water supply; pharmaceutical compounds derived from biodiversity are considered cultural services.
3. Supporting services like pollination are foundational to all other ecosystem services because they maintain the biological processes that sustain ecosystems.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Question 4

Recent research on India’s forest carbon sequestration has revealed that:

1. Despite an increase in green cover over the past two decades, carbon sequestration capacity has declined by 5-12%, with some regions experiencing losses up to 12%.
2. The decline is primarily attributed to reduced soil moisture and rising temperatures affecting forest photosynthetic efficiency and water-use efficiency.
3. Older, pristine forests in the Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats show the highest carbon sequestration rates because they are less disturbed by human activities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Question 5

Consider the statements regarding ecological corridors in biodiversity conservation:

1. Ecological corridors function as connective pathways that reduce habitat fragmentation and facilitate genetic exchange between isolated wildlife populations.
2. The development of wildlife highways specifically for elephant corridors in India has led to an 18% increase in the number of identified corridors over the past decade.
3. Ecological corridors are primarily effective in tropical biodiversity hotspots but are ineffective in temperate or arid regions due to differences in species mobility.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Question 6

The concept of “Land Degradation Neutrality” (LDN) under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) aims to:

1. Reverse desertification and restore degraded land by 2030, aligned with SDG 15.3
2. Achieve this through a balance where the rate of land degradation is offset by restoration efforts in other areas
3. Ensure that all biodiversity hotspots remain untouched and unaltered to prevent any potential degradation

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Question 7

Consider the following statements about India’s biodiversity hotspots:

1. India hosts four biodiversity hotspots that collectively cover less than 2.5% of the Earth’s land surface but support over 50% of vascular plants and nearly 43% of vertebrate species as endemics globally.
2. The Western Ghats and Indo-Burma regions are among India’s biodiversity hotspots, while the Thar Desert is recognized as a hotspot due to its high degree of species endemism.
3. A region qualifies as a biodiversity hotspot only if it has at least 1500 species of vascular plants with high endemism and has lost 30% or less of its original habitat.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Question 8

Consider the following statements regarding soil carbon sequestration and ecosystem health:

1. Organic matter addition and cover cropping enhance soil’s capacity to store carbon, improving both soil health and reducing atmospheric CO₂ levels.
2. Intensive tillage practices increase carbon sequestration by exposing soil to more air and accelerating nutrient cycling rates.
3. Soil acts as a natural carbon sink because decomposition of plant roots, leaves, and other organic matter stores carbon in stable forms that can persist for decades.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Question 9

The implementation of India’s 33 Elephant Reserves, covering 8.08 million hectares, addresses habitat fragmentation through several mechanisms. Which of the following correctly describes the primary ecological benefit of these reserves?

(a) They create isolated protected areas where elephants remain confined, preventing human-elephant conflict but limiting genetic diversity through controlled breeding programs.

(b) They combine eco-restoration of corridors, fire protection, soil and water conservation, and wildlife highways to maintain connectivity and facilitate safe passage, reducing man-animal conflict and promoting genetic exchange.

(c) They replace traditional forest management with monoculture plantations specifically for elephant food sources, ensuring maximum forage availability.

(d) They function primarily as tourism destinations where elephant viewing generates revenue for local communities, with conservation as a secondary objective.

Question 10

Consider the following statements about pollutants and environmental persistence:

1. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) are lipophilic, non-biodegradable compounds that persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in tissues.
2. Mercury accumulates in individual fish through bioaccumulation, and when larger fish consume many contaminated smaller fish, the mercury concentration becomes magnified—a process called biomagnification.
3. Heavy metals like mercury can be effectively eliminated from organisms through rapid metabolic breakdown, making them less subject to biomagnification compared to organic pesticides.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

ANSWER KEY WITH EXPLANATIONS

Answer to Question 1: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Bioaccumulation is the gradual buildup of toxic substances within a single organism over time, independent of how much toxin is in the environment—it’s about accumulation within an individual’s tissues as it’s exposed through water and food sources.

Statement 2 is correct: Biomagnification is the increasing concentration of pollutants as they move up the food chain. Since predators consume numerous contaminated prey items throughout their lives, the toxins accumulate at higher levels than in individual prey. This is particularly pronounced for lipophilic (fat-soluble) compounds that organisms cannot easily excrete.

Statement 3 is incorrect: While lipophilic compounds are more prone to biomagnification due to their persistence in fatty tissues and slow excretion rates, some hydrophilic compounds can also undergo biomagnification in certain conditions, particularly if they bind to organic matter or have other properties that slow their elimination. The statement’s absolute claim is too restrictive. Additionally, the classification of bioaccumulation and biomagnification applies to various compounds beyond just lipophilic substances in aquatic ecosystems.

UPSC Relevance: This tests understanding of foundational environmental concepts (bioaccumulation vs. biomagnification) that appear frequently in prelims. The question requires distinguishing between processes occurring at individual vs. food-chain levels—a common source of confusion.​

Answer to Question 2: (c) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The CAMPA Act 2016 is a direct implementation of the “polluter pays principle,” requiring that land diverted for non-forest purposes be compensated through reforestation, making industries responsible for ecological restoration.​

Statement 2 is incorrect: While the National Action Plan to Combat Desertification (2022) targets rehabilitation of 26 million hectares by 2030, it is primarily a comprehensive land restoration initiative rather than a specific mechanism requiring individual polluting industries to finance restoration. It’s a broader national framework, not directly an implementation of the polluter pays principle in the same manner as CAMPA.

Statement 3 is correct: The Green Credit Rules 2023 represent an innovative application of the polluter pays principle through a voluntary market mechanism, allowing industries to offset environmental damage by earning credits through biodiversity conservation, tree plantations, and ecosystem restoration.​

UPSC Relevance: Tests knowledge of contemporary environmental policies and their legal foundations, reflecting India’s evolving environmental jurisprudence—a topic emphasized in recent UPSC papers.​

Answer to Question 3: (a) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Regulating services encompass ecosystem functions that maintain stability and regulate processes, including nutrient cycling, soil formation, disease and pest regulation by predators, climate regulation, and water purification. These are distinct from provisioning services.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Pharmaceutical compounds derived from biodiversity (such as medicinal plants) are provisioning services—they are tangible products provided by ecosystems. Cultural services refer to non-material benefits like spiritual value, recreational opportunities, aesthetic value, and educational benefits. The statement incorrectly classifies pharmaceuticals as cultural services.

Statement 3 is correct: Supporting services like pollination, nutrient cycling, and soil formation are foundational because all other ecosystem services—provisioning and regulating—depend on these basic biological processes functioning properly. Without pollination, there would be no crop production (provisioning) or climate regulation capacity (regulating).

UPSC Relevance: Questions on ecosystem services have become increasingly common in UPSC prelims. This tests the ability to categorize ecosystem services correctly—critical for understanding biodiversity conservation.​

Answer to Question 4: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Recent research from IIT Kharagpur reveals that despite India’s increasing tree cover, the actual carbon sequestration capacity has declined by 5-12% on average, with some regions (northeast and Eastern Ghats) experiencing losses up to 12%. This demonstrates that “greening” does not necessarily equate to healthy, functioning forests.​

Statement 2 is correct: The research identifies that reduced soil moisture and rising temperatures are the primary drivers of declining photosynthetic efficiency and water-use efficiency in Indian forests, making them weaker and non-resilient to climate change impacts.​

Statement 3 is incorrect: While older, pristine forests in the Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats historically had high carbon sequestration potential, the research shows that even these regions are experiencing significant carbon sequestration declines. The statement suggests pristine forests maintain high rates, but the research specifically identifies the Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats as “hardest hit” by the decline, contradicting this assertion. Additionally, the loss of older forests to agricultural and urban expansion has further weakened carbon sequestration capacity.​

UPSC Relevance: This reflects contemporary environmental research being incorporated into UPSC questions. It tests understanding that environmental indicators (greening) can be misleading without examining underlying ecosystem health.​

Answer to Question 5: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Ecological corridors are recognized as essential connective pathways that reduce habitat fragmentation, allowing wildlife to move between isolated populations, facilitate genetic exchange, and improve overall ecosystem connectivity and resilience.​

Statement 2 is correct: India has developed 101 identified elephant corridors under conservation schemes, and wildlife highways have been established specifically for elephant passage. The document indicates an 18% increase in wildlife corridors over the past decade as part of broader biodiversity conservation efforts.​

Statement 3 is incorrect: This statement makes an unsupported generalization claiming ecological corridors are effective only in tropical hotspots. Ecological corridors have been successfully implemented and are proven effective across diverse ecosystems—temperate forests, arid grasslands, and other regions. The principle of habitat connectivity is universal, even if specific corridor design varies by ecosystem type.

UPSC Relevance: Tests understanding of contemporary conservation strategies that emphasize connectivity over isolation—reflecting modern conservation biology principles.​

Answer to Question 6: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: LDN under UNCCD is indeed aligned with SDG 15.3 and targets reversing desertification and land degradation by 2030 through restoration initiatives and sustainable land management practices.​

Statement 2 is correct: The fundamental principle of LDN is achieving a balance where land degradation in one area is offset by restoration efforts in others, preventing net loss of productive land globally. This is the core mechanism of the LDN framework.​

Statement 3 is incorrect: LDN does not require keeping all biodiversity hotspots completely untouched and unaltered. Instead, it aims for sustainable management and restoration of degraded lands. Biodiversity hotspots can be managed sustainably while addressing land degradation in surrounding areas. Complete non-intervention is neither practical nor the goal of LDN.

UPSC Relevance: Tests knowledge of international environmental frameworks and commitments that India has adopted, aligning with UPSC’s emphasis on global environmental agreements.​

Answer to Question 7: (b) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The research confirms that biodiversity hotspots, though covering less than 2.5% of Earth’s land area, support over 50% of vascular plants and nearly 43% of vertebrate species (birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians) as endemics.​

Statement 2 is incorrect: While the Western Ghats and Indo-Burma are indeed biodiversity hotspots in India, the Thar Desert is not recognized as a biodiversity hotspot. The four recognized Indian hotspots are the Himalayas, Western Ghats–Sri Lanka, Indo-Burma, and Sundaland (Nicobar Islands). The Thar Desert, despite having adapted species, does not meet the hotspot criteria of having 1500+ endemic vascular plant species.​

Statement 3 is correct: According to Conservation International’s definition, a region must meet two criteria: (1) at least 1500 species of vascular plants with high endemism, and (2) loss of 30% or less of its original habitat, indicating significant threat.​

UPSC Relevance: Tests specific factual knowledge about India’s biodiversity hotspots—a classic UPSC topic that appears regularly in environment questions.​

Answer to Question 8: (a) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Organic matter addition and cover cropping are recognized soil carbon sequestration methods that enhance the soil’s capacity to store carbon while improving soil health, promoting biodiversity, and helping offset atmospheric CO₂.​

Statement 2 is incorrect: Intensive tillage actually decreases carbon sequestration. Intensive tillage disrupts soil structure, exposes organic matter to oxidation, accelerates decomposition, and releases stored carbon into the atmosphere. This is why conservation agriculture and reduced-tillage practices are promoted for carbon sequestration.​

Statement 3 is correct: Soil acts as a natural carbon sink because when plants die, their roots, leaves, and other organic matter decompose and are stored in various forms—humus, stable organic compounds, and mineral-bound carbon—that can persist in soil for extended periods (years to centuries) depending on soil conditions and management.​

UPSC Relevance: Reflects the increased emphasis on climate action and soil health in recent UPSC papers, connecting environmental pollution remediation with practical solutions.​

Answer to Question 9: (b)

Explanation:

Option (a) is incorrect: The question specifies that elephant reserves avoid isolation through corridor development, so this answer contradicts the established conservation model.

Option (b) is correct: India’s 33 Elephant Reserves implement comprehensive ecosystem management combining:

• Eco-restoration of corridors and migration routes
• Wildlife highways for safe passage
• Fire protection measures
• Soil and water conservation
• Creation of water bodies and salt licks

This integrated approach reduces habitat fragmentation, minimizes human-elephant conflict, and maintains genetic diversity through population connectivity.​

Option (c) is incorrect: Modern conservation replaces monoculture approaches; elephant reserves maintain diverse natural habitats rather than creating single-species plantations.

Option (d) is incorrect: While eco-tourism provides ancillary benefits, conservation is the primary objective of elephant reserves, not secondary.

UPSC Relevance: Tests understanding of India’s specific conservation initiatives and their ecological mechanisms—increasingly emphasized in contemporary UPSC papers.​

Answer to Question 10: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: PCBs and DDT are indeed lipophilic, non-biodegradable compounds that persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in fatty tissues of organisms, making them particularly problematic for ecosystems and human health.​

Statement 2 is correct: This accurately describes the distinction between bioaccumulation (mercury building up in individual fish) and biomagnification (concentration increasing when larger fish consume many contaminated smaller fish), illustrating the concept with a concrete example.​

Statement 3 is incorrect: Heavy metals like mercury cannot be rapidly metabolized and broken down by organisms. In fact, heavy metals are among the most persistent pollutants precisely because organisms lack effective metabolic pathways to eliminate them. Mercury is extremely subject to biomagnification, often accumulating to dangerous levels in apex predators. The slow excretion rate of mercury and its tendency to bind to organic matter in sediments and tissues make it a classic example of a biomagnifying pollutant.

UPSC Relevance: This question tests understanding of chemical properties determining environmental persistence and food chain effects—foundational concepts in environmental pollution, a consistently weighted UPSC topic.

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Daily Static Quiz