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LAKSHYA-75 [Day-39] Static Quiz for IAS Prelims 2020

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1. 2 points
Que-1
Consider the following statements with reference to Megadiversity Countries:
1. The term is used to refer the top biodiversity-rich countries of the world.
2. These countries account for 90% of the world’s biodiversity.
3. They are located in or partially in the tropical or subtropical regions.
Which of the above statement is/are correct?
1.  a) 1 only
2.  b) 1 and 2 only
3.  c) 1 and 3 only
4.  d) All of the above

Incorrect

Answer: C
Solution: Megadiversity Countries account for nearly two-thirds (60-70%) of
the of the world’s biodiversity.
Enrich Your Learning:
Megadiversity Countries:
1. It is a term used to refer to the world’s top biodiversity-rich
countries.
2. This country-focused method raises national awareness for
biodiversity conservationin nations with high biological diversity, with many
species unique to a specific country.
Supported by: Conservation International.
Year of Creation: 1988
Countries identified (17): United States of America, Mexico, Colombia,
Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, South
Africa, Madagascar, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New
Guinea, China, and Australia.
Criteria:
3. The principle criterion is endemism, first at the species level and then at
higher taxonomic levels such as genus and family.

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4. To qualify as a Megadiverse Country, a country must have at least 5000
of the world’s plants as endemics.
5. Have marine ecosystems within its borders.
IUCN’s doctrine of ultimate responsibility:
6. The focus on endemism is in line with the IUCN’s “doctrine of ultimate
responsibility”, which holds that a country with the only populations of an
endangered species has ultimate responsibility for ensuring the survival of that
particular species.
Significance:
7. Together, the Megadiversity Countries account for at least two thirds
of all non-fish vertebrate speciesand three quarters of all higher plant
species.
8. They are rich in biological diversity (60-70% of the world’s
biodiversity) and associated traditional knowledge.
9. Majority of these countries are located in, or partially in, tropical or
subtropical regions.
10. This classification primarily aims to demonstrate how a small number of
countries hold a large portion of global diversityand therefore have a
disproportionate political responsibility for conservation and biodiversity
management.
International Association:
11. 17 countries rich in biological diversity and associated traditional
knowledge have formed a group known as the Like Minded Megadiverse
Countries (LMMC).
12. These countries have effectively joined efforts in negotiating the
development of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resourcesand the
Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits arising from their utilisation to the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which was adopted in Japan in
2010.
 2 points
Que-2
Consider the following pairs:
Biosphere Reserves Location
1. Nokrek a) Arunachal Pradesh
2. Simlipal b) Meghalaya
3. Seshachalam Hills c) Odisha
4. Dehang-Dibang d) Andhra Pradesh
 
Match the above pairs and select the correct answer using the codes given
below:
1.  a) 1 -A, 2 -B, 3 -C, 4 -D
2.  b) 1 -B, 2 -A, 3 -D, 4 -C
3.  c) 1 -B, 2 -C, 3 -D, 4 -A
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 4.  d) 1 -D, 2 -C, 3 -B, 4 -A

Correct

Answer: C
Solution:
Biosphere Reserves States
1. Nokrek a) Meghalaya
2. Simlipal b) Odisha
3. Seshachalam Hills c) Andhra Pradesh
4. Dehang-Dibang d) Arunachal Pradesh
 
Enrich Your Learning:
Biosphere reserves:
5. Biosphere reserves are sites established by countriesand recognized
under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme to promote
sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science.
6. The programme of Biosphere Reserve was initiated by UNESCO in
1971.
7. The purpose of the formation of the biosphere reserve is to conserve in
situ all forms of life, along with its support system, so that it could serve as a
referral system for monitoring and evaluating changes in natural ecosystems.
8. Presently, there are 18 notified biosphere reserves in India.
 
Biosphere reserves in India:

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  2 points
Que-3
Consider the following statements with reference to Biodiversity Hotspots:
1. These are the biogeographic regions with huge biodiversity and
threatened with destruction.
2. In order to qualify the criteria of Biodiversity hotspot, they must have
lost half of their original habitat.
Which of the above statement is/are correct?
1.  a) 1 only
2.  b) 2 only
3.  c) Both 1 and 2
4.  d) None of the above

Incorrect

Answer: A
Solution:
In order to qualify the criteria of Biodiversity hotspot, they must have lost at
least 70 % of their original habitat.
Enrich Your Learning:
Biodiversity Hotspots:
1. A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic regionthat is both a
significant reservoir of biodiversity and is threatened with destruction.

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2. The term biodiversity hotspot specifically refers tobiologically rich
areas around the world that have lost at least 70 % of their original habitat.
3. There are currently 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots
4. These are Earth’s most biologically rich yet threatened terrestrial
regions.
5. The concept was given in 1988 by Norman Myers.
Criteria of qualification:
6. To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, an area must meet two strict
criteria:
 Contain at least 1,500 endemic speciesof vascular plants found
nowhere else on Earth.
 Have lost at least 70 % of its primary native vegetation.
7. Many of the biodiversity hotspots exceed the two criteria.
Example: Sundaland Hotspot in Southeast Asia and the Tropical Andes
Hotspot in South America have about 15,000 endemic plant species. The loss
of vegetation in some hotspots has reached a startling 95 %.
Significance:
8. They represent just 2.4% of Earth’s land surface, but they support more
than half of the world’s plant species as endemics i.e., species found no place
else and nearly 43% of bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species as
endemics.
Biodiversity Hotspots in India:
9. India has four biodiversity hotspots i.e. Eastern Himalayas, Western
Himalayas, Western Ghats and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
 2 points
Que-4
Consider the following statements with reference to Asiatic Lion:
1. Asiatic lions are found throughout the Indian subcontinent.
2. They are listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
3. The IUCN status of the species is Vulnerable.
Which of the above statement is/are correct?
1.  a) 1 and 2 only
2.  b) 2 only
3.  c) 2 and 3 only
4.  d) All of the above

Incorrect

Answer: B
Solution:
1. The Asiatic lion’s range is restricted to the Gir National Park, Gujarat.
2. IUCN status: Endangered
Enrich Your Learning:

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 Asiatic Lion:
3. Region:Until the 19th century it occurred in Saudi Arabia, eastern
Turkey, Iran, Mesopotamia, and from east of the Indus River to Bengal and
Narmada River in Central India but now it is restricted to the Gir Forest
National Park, Gujarat and surrounding areas.
4. The lions are listed as Endangeredin the IUCN Red List.
5. It is listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, and is listed
on Appendix I of CITES.
Asiatic Lion Census:
6. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII)is going to conduct Asiatic Lion
Census in May 2020.
7. The census will be carried out using scientific methods laid out
by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
8. The census is conducted after every 5 years and the14th Asiatic Lion
Census in 2015 counted 523 lions in Gujarat.
 
Canine distemper virus (CDV):
9. CDV is highly contagious viral diseasethat effects gastrointestinal,
respiratory, central nervous systems, immune system and other vital organs in
animals.
10. The disease is mainly found in jackals and wolves etc. and the lions can
be come into its contact if they consume the infected animal.
11. The disease was in news, as more than 20 lions at Gir National park died
in a short span after getting infected from the disease.
 2 points
Que-5
Consider the following statements with reference to Agenda 21:
1. Agenda 21 is aimed at achieving global sustainable development.
2. The action plan is binding on the nations.
3. It is a product of the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Which of the above statement is/are correct?
1.  a) 1 only
2.  b) 1 and 2 only
3.  c) 1 and 3 only
4.  d) All of the above

Correct

Answer: C
Solution:
1. Agenda 21 is a non-binding action planof the United Nations with
regard to sustainable development.
Enrich Your Learning:

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 Agenda 21:
2. Agenda 21is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally,
nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations, other
multilateral organizations, and individual governments around the world at
local, national, and global levels on the areas human impacts environment.
3. Agenda 21 is a non-binding action plan of the United Nationswith
regard to sustainable development.
4. It is a product of the Earth Summitheld in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in
1992.
5. The “21” in Agenda 21 refers to the 21st century.
6. It is aimed at achieving global sustainable development.
 2 points
Que-6
Consider the following statements with reference to Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD):
1. Montreal Protocol and Hague Protocol are the two supplementary
agreements of CBD.
2. The convention is legally binding on the member countries.
Which of the above statement is/are correct?
1.  a) 1 only
2.  b) 2 only
3.  c) Both 1 and 2
4.  d) All of the above

Incorrect

Answer: B
Solution:
1. CBD has two supplementary agreements – Cartagena Protocol and
Nagoya Protocol.
Enrich Your Learning:
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):
2. CBD or the Biodiversity Conventionis a multilateral treaty with an
objective to develop national strategies for the conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity.
3. The Convention has three main goals including:
 the conservation of biological diversity (or biodiversity);
 the sustainable use of its components; and
 the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic
resources.
4. It is often seen as the key document regarding sustainable
development.

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5. The Convention was opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de
Janeiro on 5 June 1992 and entered into force on 29 December 1993.
6. The convention is legally bindingand the countries that have joint it are
obliged to implement its provisions.
7. India enacted Biological Diversity Act in 2002for giving effect to the
provisions of the CBD.
Supplementary agreements:
8. CBD has two supplementary agreements – Cartagena Protocol and
Nagoya Protocol.
1. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on
Biological Diversity:
1. It is an international treaty governing the movements of living modified
organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology from one country to
another.
2. It was adopted on 29 January 2000 as a supplementary agreement to the
Convention on Biological Diversity and entered into force on 11 September
2003.
2. Nagoya Protocol:
 The Nagoya Protocolprovides a transparent legal framework for the
effective implementation of one of the three objectives of the CBD: the fair
and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic
resources.
 The Nagoya Protocol on ABS was adopted on 29 October 2010 in
Nagoya, Japan and entered into force on 12 October 2014.
 Objective:Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the
utilization of genetic resources, thereby contributing to the conservation and
sustainable use of biodiversity.
2. 2 points
Que-7
Consider the following statements with reference to keystone species:
2. They are the species whose conservation protects many other species in
the ecosystem.
3. Their removal from the ecosystem will dramatically shift the ecosystem
in a new direction.
Which of the above statement is/are correct?
o  a) 1 only
o  b) 2 only
o  c) Both 1 and 2
o  d) None of the above

Incorrect

Answer: B
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 Solution: Statement 1 defines Umbrella species. The keystone species are the
species which are critical to the survival of the uniqueness in their
ecosystem.
Enrich Your Learning:
Keystone species:
 Every ecosystem has certain species that are critical to the survival of
the uniqueness in their ecosystem.
 The keystonespecies are the species without which the particular
ecosystem within their habitat may not survive.
 They play a unique and critical hold by holding that ecosystem together.
 Their removal will allow an invasive species to take over
and dramatically shift the ecosystem in a new direction.
There are three types of keystone species: predators, ecosystem engineers,
and mutualists.
2. Predators:
 Predators help control the populations of prey species, which in turn
affects the quantity of plants and animals further along the food web.
Example: Shark, they often prey upon old or sick fish, leaving healthier
animals to flourish.
Simply by their presence near sea grass beds, sharks are able to keep smaller
animals from overgrazing and wiping out the grass.
2. Ecosystem Engineers:
 An ecosystem engineer is an organism that creates, changes, or
destroys a habitat.
Example: Beaver
River ecosystems rely on beavers to take down old or dead trees along
riverbanks to use for their dams. This allows new, healthier trees to grow in
abundance. The dams divert water in rivers, creating wetlands that allow a
variety of animals and plants to thrive.
3. Mutualists:
 When two or more species in an ecosystem interact for each other’s
benefit, they are called mutualists.
Example: Bees
They collect pollen and spread it from one flower to the next, enhancing the
odds of fertilization and greater flower growth.
2. 2 points
Que-8
Consider the following statements with reference to energy pyramid:
3. An energy pyramid is a graphical representation of flow of energy.
4. The energy on going from a lower tropical level to higher tropical level
increases.
5. The base of the pyramid contains producers or autotrophs.

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 Which of the above statement is/are correct?
o  a) 1 only
o  b) 1 and 2 only
o  c) 1 and 3 only
o  d) All of the above

Incorrect

Answer: C
Solution: The energy on going from a lower tropical level to higher tropical
level decreases or is lost.
Enrich Your Learning:
Pyramid of Energy flow:
 An energy pyramidis a model that shows the flow of energy from one
trophic level to the next along a food chain.
 The base of the pyramid contains producerse. the organisms that make
their own food from inorganic substances. All other organisms in the pyramid
are consumers.
 A pyramid shape is used because energy is lost at each trophic level
when organisms use it up.
Energy lost:
 The energy on going from a lower tropical level to higher tropical
level decreasesor is lost.
 Around 90% of available energy is lost through heatat each trophic
level.
 So, 10% of the total 100% primary energy of the producers reaches the
primary consumers, 10% of that amount (1% of the total) reaches the
secondary consumers.
 At each of the subsequent trophic levels, the same amount of energy
(90%) is lost as heat, while 10% is turned into availablebio-matter.
 There is little energy available at the highest trophic level.

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  2 points
Que-9
Consider the following statements:
1. Mutualism describes the ecological interaction where one species
benefits at the expense of the other.
2. Commensalism is a long-term biological interaction where one species
gains benefits while other species neither benefit nor harmed.
Which of the above statement is/are correct?
1.  a) 1 only
2.  b) 2 only
3.  c) Both 1 and 2
4.  d) None of the above

Correct

Answer: B
Solution:
1. Mutualism describes the ecological interaction between two or more
species where each species has a net benefit.
Enrich Your Learning:
Mutualism:
2. Mutualismdescribes the ecological interaction between two or more
species where each species has a net benefit.
3. Mutualism is a common type of ecological interaction. Prominent
examples include most vascular plants engaged in mutualistic interactions with
mycorrhizae, flowering plants being pollinated by animals, vascular plants
being dispersed by animals, and corals with zooxanthellae, among many
others.

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4. Mutualism can be contrasted from parasitism, in which one species
benefits at the “expense” of the other.
5. Mutualism is different from symbiosis. Symbiosis involves two
species living in proximity and may be mutualistic, parasitic, or commensal,
so symbiotic relationships are not always mutualistic.
Significance:
6. Mutualism plays a key part in ecology, as mutualistic interactions are
vital for terrestrial ecosystem functions as more than 48% of land plants rely
on mycorrhizal relationships with fungi to provide them with inorganic
compounds and trace elements.
7. As another example, the estimate of tropical forest trees with seed
dispersal mutualisms with animals’ ranges from 70–90%.
8. Mutualism is thought to have driven the evolution of much of the
biological diversity we see, such as flower forms (important for pollination
mutualisms) and co-evolution between groups of species. However, mutualism
has historically received less attention than other interactions such as predation
and parasitism.
Commensalism:
9. Commensalism is a long-term biological interaction(symbiosis) in
which members of one species gain benefits while those of the other species
neither benefit or are harmed.
10. This is in contrast with mutualism, in which both organisms benefit
from each other, amensalism, where one is harmed while the other is
unaffected, and parasitism, where one benefits while the other is harmed.
11. The commensal (the species that benefits from the association) may
obtain nutrients, shelter, support, or locomotion from the host species, which is
substantially unaffected.
12. The commensal relation is often between a larger host and a smaller
commensal;the host organism is unmodified, whereas the commensal species
may show great structural adaptation consonant with its habits.
Example: Numerous birds perch on bodies of large mammal herbivores or
feed on the insects turned up by grazing mammals.
The dog is often hypothesised to be a classic example of a domestic animal
that likely travelled a commensal pathway into domestication.
 2 points
Que-10
Consider the following statements with reference to Bar Headed Goose:
1. They are one of the highest flying birds in the world.
2. The bird is endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
3. The IUCN status of the species is Endangered.
Which of the above statement is/are correct?
1.  a) 1 only
2.  b) 1 and 2 only
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 3.  c) 2 and 3 only
4.  d) All of the above

Incorrect

Answer: A
Solution:
1. The Bar-headed Goose is not endemic to Indian subcontinent, as it is
found in the plateau wetlands of Central Asia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan,
southern Russia to western Mongolia and from the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau
South to Ladakh in India.
2. The IUCN status of the species is Endangered.
Enrich Your Learning:
Bar Headed Goose:
Why in news?
A recent water bird census had been undertaken at the Tsokar wetlands in
Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir led to the rare sighting of a bar-headed goose.
3. This sighting confirmed that the bar-headed goose breeds at Tsokar
in Ladakhand winters at Pong Lake in Himachal Pradesh. So far, this is the
shortest established migratory route for the species. Generally, this species
covers very long distances.
About the species:
4. The bar-headed goose (Anser indicus) is known to be one of the highest
flying birds in the world.
5. It can fly at altitudes of 25,000 feet,while migrating over the
Himalayas, where oxygen and temperature levels are extremely low.
6. The pale grey bird is distinct from other geese in its genus because of
the black bars on its head.
7. IUCN:Least Concerned.
8. Region: In the colder months, bar-headed geese live in low-lying
swamps in Northern India and Myanmar. During summer, they do their annual
migration to the high mountain lakes and wetlands of central Asia. They
come to India and return to their homes by crossing the Himalayan ranges.
9. Enhanced capacity of Oxygen Consumption: The capacity of bar-
headed geese to consume oxygen at such high altitudes (low oxygen
environment) distinguishes this species from similar lowland waterfowl.
10. Scientists have found that their blood cells contain a special type of
haemoglobin(a blood protein) that absorbs oxygen very quickly at high
altitudes. Also, their capillaries (small blood vessels) extend deeply into their
muscles, thereby improving the transfer of oxygen to their muscle fibres.

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