Daily Static Quiz (Environment) Nov 15, 2025

Question 1:

Consider the following statements:

1. The Neotropical realm has more tropical rainforest coverage than any other biogeographic realm.

2. The formation of the Isthmus of Panama led to the Great American Interchange between North and South American species.

3. India is entirely located within the Oriental biogeographic realm.

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:

With reference to the Savanna biome, consider the following statements:

1. It is characterized by tall grasses and scattered drought-resistant trees with thick bark.

2. Trees in savanna regions are deciduous and shed their leaves during the dry season to conserve water.

3. The Brazilian Cerrado and African savannas represent the same climatic and vegetation patterns.

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 3:

Eutrophication of water bodies results in which of the following consequences?

1. Increased biomass of phytoplankton and algal blooms

2. Hypoxic conditions due to oxygen depletion

3. Enhanced biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems

4. Reduction in water clarity and quality

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 4:

Which of the following is/are example(s) of in-situ conservation in India?

1. National Parks

2. Gene banks

3. Biosphere Reserves

4. Cryopreservation facilities

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 5:

Consider the following statements regarding the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:

1. Schedule I and Part II of Schedule II provide absolute protection with the highest penalties for violations.

2. Species listed in Schedule V are considered vermin and may be hunted but this list no longer exists. 

3. The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2021 reduced the number of schedules from six to four.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Question 6:

Pyrophytic trees have evolved various adaptations to survive wildfires. Which of the following adaptations is/are correctly matched?

1. Thick bark – Provides thermal insulation against fire

2. Serotinous cones – Seeds are released when exposed to fire heat

3. Epicormic buds – Dormant buds beneath bark that activate after fire

4. Shallow root systems – Quick access to surface nutrients after fire

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 7:

With reference to the National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF), consider the following statements:

1. It was established under the Finance Bill 2010-11 and is funded by a cess on coal production and import.

2. The fund exclusively supports solar energy projects in India.

3. It follows the “polluter pays” principle to fund clean energy initiatives.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Question 8:

Consider the following statements about the National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB):

1. It was established in 1992 under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

2. It focuses on ecological restoration of degraded forest areas with special attention to ecologically fragile areas like Western Ghats and Aravallis.

3. The National Afforestation Programme (NAP) under NAEB promotes community-based forest management.

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 9:

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the International Whaling Commission (IWC)?

1. It was established in 1946 under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling.

2. The IWC has the authority to designate whale sanctuaries and set catch limits.

3. India is a founding member of the IWC.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Question 10:

Consider the following pairs:

How many of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) Only three pairs
(d) All four pairs

ANSWER KEY WITH DETAILED EXPLANATIONS

Answer 1: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Neotropical realm, which includes South America, Central America, and parts of southern North America, has the highest coverage of tropical rainforest among all biogeographic realms. The Amazon rainforest alone makes this the realm with the most extensive tropical rainforest coverage.​

Statement 2 is correct: The formation of the Isthmus of Panama approximately 2-3 million years ago connected North and South America, facilitating the Great American Interchange. This was a significant biogeographical event that allowed species to migrate between the two continents.​

Statement 3 is incorrect: India is NOT entirely located within the Oriental (Indomalayan) realm. The Indian region comprises two biogeographic realms: the Himalayan region is part of the Palearctic realm, while the rest of the Indian subcontinent belongs to the Oriental/Malayan realm. The transitional zone between these two realms occurs in the Himalayan foothills.​

Key Learning: India’s unique position at the junction of two major biogeographic realms (Palearctic and Oriental) contributes significantly to its rich biodiversity. Understanding biogeographic realms is crucial for conservation planning and biodiversity studies.

Answer 2: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Savanna biome is indeed characterized by an extensive cover of tall grasses (like elephant grass that can reach up to 15 feet) with scattered drought-resistant trees. These trees typically have thick bark to resist fire and store water, examples include acacia and baobab trees.​

Statement 2 is correct: Trees in savanna regions are deciduous and shed their leaves during the cool, dry season to prevent excessive water loss through transpiration. This is an important adaptation to survive the prolonged drought conditions typical of savannas.​

Statement 3 is incorrect: While both the Brazilian Cerrado and African savannas are savanna biomes, they do NOT represent identical climatic and vegetation patterns. The Brazilian Cerrado is characterized by shrubs and twisted trees, while African savannas have distinct species like baobab and acacia. Regional variations exist in rainfall patterns, soil types, and specific flora and fauna.​

Key Learning: Savanna biomes are transitional ecosystems between forests and grasslands, characterized by seasonal precipitation and drought. Understanding regional variations within the same biome type is important for UPSC questions.

Answer 3: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Eutrophication leads to excessive nutrient enrichment (particularly nitrogen and phosphorus), which causes increased biomass of phytoplankton and formation of algal blooms, including toxic cyanobacteria.​

Statement 2 is correct: Eutrophication results in hypoxic conditions (oxygen depletion). The process occurs when algal blooms die and decompose; bacteria use oxygen during decomposition, leading to oxygen depletion in the water body. This can create “dead zones” where dissolved oxygen falls below 2-3 mg/L.​

Statement 3 is incorrect: Eutrophication DECREASES biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems, not enhances it. The oxygen depletion and toxic algal blooms harm aquatic life, leading to fish kills and reduced species diversity. It threatens ecological stability rather than promoting it.​

Statement 4 is correct: The formation of dense algal blooms reduces water clarity significantly and degrades water quality, making water unsuitable for drinking, recreation, and other uses.​

Key Learning: Eutrophication is a cascading environmental problem beginning with nutrient pollution and ending with ecosystem degradation. Understanding the cause-effect relationship is crucial for environmental science questions.

Answer 4: (a) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: National Parks are a primary example of in-situ conservation in India. In-situ conservation means on-site conservation of genetic resources in natural populations. India has 104-106 national parks as protected areas for in-situ conservation.​

Statement 2 is incorrect: Gene banks are examples of ex-situ conservation, NOT in-situ. Ex-situ conservation involves conservation outside natural habitats, including seed banks, gene banks, and botanical gardens.​

Statement 3 is correct: Biosphere Reserves are indeed examples of in-situ conservation. India has 18 biosphere reserves where ecosystems and species are conserved in their natural habitats, including Nanda Devi, Nokrek, Manas, and Sundarban.​

Statement 4 is incorrect: Cryopreservation facilities are ex-situ conservation methods where biological materials (seeds, tissues, cells) are preserved at very low temperatures outside their natural habitats.​

Key Learning: In-situ conservation includes National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves, and Protected Forests where species are conserved in their natural habitats. Ex-situ methods include zoos, botanical gardens, seed banks, and gene banks.

Answer 5: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Schedule I and Part II of Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 provide absolute protection to endangered species. Offences under these schedules attract the highest penalties, including imprisonment for 1-6 years and fines not less than ₹5,000 (now increased to ₹25,000). Examples include tigers, elephants, and snow leopards.​

Statement 2 is correct: Schedule V of the original Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 listed vermin species (such as common crows, fruit bats, rats, and mice) that could be legally hunted. However, this schedule was eliminated in the 2021 Amendment.​

Statement 3 is correct: The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2021 rationalized the schedules by reducing them from six to four. The new structure includes: Schedule I (highest protection animals), Schedule II (lesser protection animals), Schedule III (protected plants), and Schedule IV (CITES species).​

Key Learning: The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is a cornerstone of wildlife conservation in India. The 2021 Amendment modernized the Act by implementing CITES provisions and rationalizing schedules. Understanding the schedule structure and recent amendments is important for UPSC.

Answer 6: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Thick, corky bark is a key adaptation of pyrophytic trees that provides thermal insulation protecting inner living tissues from fire heat. Examples include ponderosa pine, longleaf pine, and giant sequoia.​

Statement 2 is correct: Serotinous cones are specialized structures found in certain pyrophytic species like pond pine, Aleppo pine, and some pines. These cones remain sealed and only open when exposed to the intense heat of fire, releasing seeds into the post-fire environment where competition is reduced and soil is nutrient-rich from ash.​

Statement 3 is correct: Epicormic buds are dormant buds protected beneath the bark or deeper in the wood. They survive fires and droughts, then activate and grow afterward, helping the plant rapidly recover its canopy. Several eucalyptus species possess this adaptation.​

Statement 4 is incorrect: Pyrophytic trees typically have DEEP root systems, NOT shallow ones. Deep roots help them access underground water during droughts and fires. For example, many savanna trees and grasses have deep root systems to survive fire and dry conditions.​

Key Learning: Pyrophytes have evolved multiple strategies to survive fire, including resistance (thick bark, moisture content) and resilience (regrowth mechanisms). Understanding these adaptations is important for ecology and forest management questions.

Answer 7: (b) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) was indeed established under the Finance Bill 2010-11. It is funded by a clean energy cess levied on coal produced and imported in India. The cess started at ₹50 per tonne in 2010 and was progressively increased to ₹400 per tonne by March 2016.​

Statement 2 is incorrect: NCEF does NOT exclusively support solar energy projects. The fund supports a wide range of clean energy and environmental initiatives including solar power, wind energy, biofuels, clean fossil energy technologies, carbon capture, smart grid technology, geothermal energy, Green India Mission, and innovative clean energy research and development.​

Statement 3 is correct: The NCEF follows the “polluter pays” principle by levying a cess on coal (the primary carbon pollutant in India). This makes the coal industry responsible for funding clean energy alternatives and environmental restoration, holding emitters accountable for pollution.​

Key Learning: The National Clean Energy Fund is an important fiscal mechanism in India’s climate change mitigation strategy. It demonstrates how environmental economics principles like “polluter pays” can be implemented through policy instruments.

Answer 8: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) was established in August 1992 as a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India.​

Statement 2 is correct: NAEB’s mandate includes promoting afforestation, tree planting, and ecological restoration with special attention to degraded forest areas and ecologically fragile areas. These specifically include the Western Himalayas, Aravallis, Western Ghats, and other vulnerable ecosystems.​

Statement 3 is correct: The National Afforestation Programme (NAP) is a key scheme under NAEB that promotes community-based forest management through participatory approaches. It encourages Joint Forest Management (JFM) where local communities are involved in the restoration and management of degraded forest lands, ensuring both ecological restoration and socio-economic development.​

Key Learning: NAEB represents India’s commitment to forest conservation through a participatory approach involving local communities. Understanding institutional mechanisms for environmental conservation is important for governance and environment questions in UPSC.

Answer 9: (b) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The International Whaling Commission (IWC) was established in 1946 under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. Its headquarters is located in Impington, near Cambridge, England.​

Statement 2 is correct: The IWC has the authority to designate whale sanctuaries and set catch limits. Its role includes periodically reviewing and revising the Schedule to the Convention, which controls whaling activities by designating protected areas as whale sanctuaries, setting limits on numbers and sizes of catches, prescribing open and closed seasons, and regulating methods and intensity of whaling.​

Statement 3 is incorrect: India was not a founding member of the IWC. The IWC currently has 88 member countries (as of 2024), and membership is open to any country that formally ratifies the 1946 Convention. The original founding members were primarily whaling nations.​

Key Learning: The IWC is an important international organization for marine conservation. Understanding international environmental conventions and organizations is crucial for UPSC, especially in the context of India’s international commitments and environmental diplomacy.

Answer 10: (d) All four pairs

Explanation:

Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Palearctic (or Palaearctic) is indeed the largest biogeographic realm covering approximately 20.9 million square miles. It encompasses Europe, North Africa (north of Sahara), northern Asia (north of Himalayas), and extends from the Arctic to North Africa.​

Pair 2 is correctly matched: The Indomalayan realm is separated from the Australasian realm by the Wallace Line. This biogeographic boundary runs between the Indonesian islands and marks the transition between Asian and Australian fauna. The Wallace Line represents one of the most distinct biogeographic boundaries in the world.​

Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Neotropical biogeographic realm covers tropical regions of the Americas, including South America, Central America, the Caribbean islands, southern Mexico (Yucatan Peninsula), southern Florida, and the southern tip of Texas. It covers approximately 7.3 million square miles.​

Pair 4 is correctly matched: The Antarctic realm is the smallest biogeographic realm covering approximately 0.3 million square miles (0.12 million square km). It includes Antarctica, Alexander Island, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands.​

Key Learning: Understanding the eight biogeographic realms (Nearctic, Palearctic, Neotropical, Afrotropical, Indomalayan, Australasian, Oceania, and Antarctic) and their characteristics is fundamental to biogeography. This knowledge helps in understanding global biodiversity patterns and conservation priorities.

Daily Static Quiz