Biodiversity MCQ Quiz in मराठी - Objective Question with Answer for Biodiversity - मोफत PDF डाउनलोड करा

Concept:

• Biodiversity - The combined diversity at all the levels of biological organization - genetic, species and ecological.
• Biodiversity loss - The loss resulting due to reduction/ decrease in the biodiversity.

Important Points

• Biodiversity/ Ecological hotspots - are the places on Earth occupied by large number of endemic species which face the threat of habitat loss.
• To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, an area must fulfill the following two criteria as per the Conservation International:

1. The area should have at least 1,500 species of vascular plants which are found nowhere else on the Earth i.e., must show Endemism.
2. The area must have lost at least 70 percent of its original natural vegetation or contain 30 percent of its original habitat i.e., must be Threatened. 

• There are 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world. 4 out of 36 biodiversity hotspots are in India, which are:
  • The Himalayas
  • Indo-Burma region
  • The Western Ghats
  • Sundaland
• Biodiversity hotspots are important as:

1. Provide conservation to thousand of species especially endemic species.
2. Helps in developing a healthy ecosystem.
3. Helps in the preservation of natural resources.

Additional Information

• Mega diversity zones - are the regions that harbours majority of the Earth's species. India is one of the seventeen mega diversity zone/ country.
• Safari parks - act as ex- situ conservation of species by providing an enclosed area for the species to live freely.
• National Parks - are the areas managed for the ecosystem protection and recreation. It acts as a in- situ conservation of species.

Key Points

• A species may be considered endemic when a species is confined to only a single geographical area and not found anywhere else.
• Some endemic species are endemic to a continent while others are endemic to an island.
• A species becomes endemic due to various reasons such as:
  • geographical isolation,
  • habitat fragmentation,
  • distribution of species,
  • environmental adaptations,
  • an influx of predators,
  • anthropogenic activities,
  • habitat destruction. 
• These species balance the ecosystem functioning.
• Endemic species are unique to a particular geographical region, so they are more vulnerable to extinction.
• As a result, these species require some special protection and care to conserve them.  
• The high degree of endemism with high levels of species richness regions are identified as biodiversity hotspot regions.
• Lemurs of Madagascar, tortoises of the Galapagos, kangaroos of Australia, polar bears of the Arctic region, etc., are some endemic species.
• The endemic species of India include the Asiatic lion, Lion-tailed macaque, Arunachal macaque, Sangai deer, Buff-bellied langur, Pygmy hog, Hangul, Nilgiri tahr, Malabar civet, Namdapha flying squirrel, Nilgiri blue robin, Yellow-faced leaf Warbler, Assamese Cascade frog, etc.

Additional Information

• All the endemic species are native species but all the native species are not endemic species.
• The native species may be found in other regions of the world as well. For e.g., rhinoceros species are native to the Indian subcontinent.
• Exotic species belong to some other region but are introduced deliberately or unintentionally in a foreign region.

Hence, the correct option is (1) found in only a single geographical area and nowhere else.

The correct answer is Steller’s sea cow is an extinct animal.

Explanation:

• Steller’s sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas) was a large marine mammal that is now extinct. It was discovered in the 18th century around the Commander Islands in the Bering Sea.
• The species was named after the naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller, who first described it in 1741.
• Steller’s sea cow was hunted to extinction by humans within 27 years of its discovery.

Other Options:

• Parthenium is an endemic species of our country: This statement is incorrect. Parthenium is an invasive species, not endemic to any particular country. It originated in the Americas and has spread to many other regions, including India.
• African catfish is not a threat to indigenous catfishes: This statement is incorrect. The African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is considered a threat to indigenous catfish species due to its invasive nature and competitive advantages, which can disrupt local ecosystems.
• Lantana is popularly known as carrot grass: This statement is incorrect. Lantana is not known as carrot grass. Parthenium hysterophorus is commonly referred to as carrot grass, while Lantana is a different invasive plant species.

The correct answer is Three

Explanation:

The largely tropical Amazonian rain forest in South America has the greatest biodiversity on earth- it is home to more than 40,000 species of plants, 3,000 of fishes, 1,300 of birds, 427 of mammals, 427 of amphibians, 378 of reptiles and of more than 1,25,000 invertebrates.

The correct matches are

• Plants: 40,000
• Fishes: 3000
• Mammals: 427

The correct answer is Biodiversity Hotspots

Concept:

• Biodiversity hotspots refer to regions that are biologically rich hosting a significant number of different species, many of which are endemic (not found anywhere else in the world) but have experienced significant habitat loss.

Explanation:

• Biodiversity Hotspots: Regions characterized by high levels of species richness, a high degree of endemism, and significant habitat loss (at least 70%).
• Initially 25 biodiversity hotspots were identified but subsequently nine more have been added to the list, bringing the total number of biodiversity hotspots in the world to 34.
• Three of these hotspots – Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, Indo-Burma and Himalaya cover our country’s exceptionally high biodiversity regions.

Other Options:

• Natural Reserves: Areas protected for the conservation of wildlife and natural resources, but not specifically defined by species richness and endemism.
• Sacred Groves: Tracts of forest preserved due to religious or cultural practices, which, although they can be biodiversity-rich, are not defined by the criteria of species richness, endemism, and habitat loss.
• Biogeographical Regions: Large areas defined by the ecological and geographical characteristics, not necessarily by the high level of species richness or endemism.

Mistake Points

• Please note that the official answer key has given option 2 as the correct answer.
• However, option 4 has been marked correct here as tropical evergreen forests are found in both the states of Tamil Nadu and Assam.

Key Points

• There are different types of forests found on the earth- tropical rainforests, tropical evergreen forests, temperate forests, deciduous forests, coniferous forests, etc.
• Tropical evergreen forests are typically found near the equator and cover about 7% of the earth’s surface.
• These regions experience more than 200 cm of rainfall and temperatures ranging from 15 to 30°C.
• These are highly dense forests with large canopies and the sun hardly reaches the soil.
• Ebony, mahogany, rosewood, rubber, cinchona, etc. are economically valuable trees found in tropical evergreen forests.
• Elephants, Monkeys, Lemurs, Deer, the One-Horned Rhinoes, Hollock gibbons, different types of Macaques, Sloths, Squirrels, etc. are found in tropical evergreen forests.

Important Points

• Tropical evergreen forests are found in Tamil Nadu and Assam.
• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Western Ghats that border the Arabian Sea, the peninsular Indian coastline, and the greater region in the northeast all have tropical evergreen forests.
• Tropical vegetation can be found in Northeast India at elevations of up to 900 meters.
• The annual rainfall surpasses 2,300 mm and the evergreen forests are distributed in the Assam Valley, the eastern Himalayan foothills - Arunachal Pradesh, and the lower regions of the Naga Hills, Khasi Hills, and Jayantia Hills.
• While the tropical evergreen forests of Tamil Nadu experience annual rainfall ranges from 1000 to 1500 mm.
• The other Indian states that have tropical rainforests are Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

Additional Information

Madhya Pradesh- 

• This region has tropical Deciduous forests.
• It receives 50 cm to 100 cm of rainfall and with an average annual temperature is around 30°C.
• Babul, Tendu, Dhora, Haldu, Shisham, Sagon, Siris, etc. are some plant species found in these forests.

Hence, the correct option is (4).

The correct answer is All the species are neither threatened nor indigenous species of India.

Concept:

• Lantana, Eichhornia, and African catfish are species that are known for their invasive characteristics and are not native to India.
• Invasive species are those that are introduced to a new habitat, where they often outcompete native species for resources, leading to ecological imbalances.
• These species can cause significant environmental, economic, and health impacts in their non-native regions.

Explanation:

• Lantana: A flowering plant that is native to the tropical regions of the Americas. It has become a problematic invasive species in India, outcompeting native flora and altering habitats.
• Eichhornia (Water Hyacinth): An aquatic plant native to the Amazon Basin. It has spread to many tropical and subtropical regions, including India, clogging waterways and affecting aquatic ecosystems.
• African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus): A species native to Africa that has been introduced to many countries for aquaculture. In India, it is considered invasive and poses a threat to native fish species and aquatic biodiversity.

Incorrect Options:

• Option 1 - All are endangered species of India: This is incorrect. None of the mentioned species are endangered in India; rather, they are invasive and problematic.
• Option 2 - All are keystone species: This is incorrect. Keystone species play a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community. 
• Option 3 - All are mammals found in India: This is incorrect. Only the African catfish is a species of animal (fish), while Lantana and Eichhornia are plants.

The correct answer is Seed banks

Concept:

• Conservation methods are strategies used to preserve endangered or threatened species of plants and animals.
• These methods are classified into two main types: in-situ conservation and ex-situ conservation.
• Ex-situ conservation involves the preservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats. Examples include zoos, botanical gardens, wildlife safari and seed banks.
• In Situ conservation involves the conservation of biodiversity within its natural habitat. It includes protected areas such as Biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries where ecosystems and species are conserved in their natural environment.

Explanation:

• Seed banks: This method of conservation is an example of ex-situ conservation because it involves taking biological material out of its natural habitat for preservation.These are facilities used to store seeds of various plants as a genetic reservoir for future use. They serve as a backup to protect against the loss of genetic diversity due to habitat destruction, climate change, or other factors. The seeds can be used for research, breeding programs, and restoration projects. 
• Biosphere reserves: These are large areas of terrestrial or marine ecosystems or a combination thereof, which are internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program. They promote the conservation of biodiversity, research, and sustainable development. India now has 14 biosphere reserves.
• National parks: These are protected areas established to conserve the natural environment and biodiversity while allowing for public enjoyment and education. National parks protect ecosystems and wildlife within their natural habitats, making this an in-situ conservation strategy. India has 90 national parks.
• Wildlife sanctuaries: These are designated areas for the protection of wildlife where animals are protected from hunting, poaching, and habitat destruction. India has 448 wildlife sanctuaries.

The correct answer is Lower predation due to diversity of food availability

Concept:

Tropical regions account for greater biological diversity because 

• (a) Speciation is generally a function of time, unlike temperate regions subjected to frequent glaciations in the past, tropical latitudes have remained relatively undisturbed for millions of years and thus, had a long evolutionary time for species diversification.
• (b) Tropical environments, unlike temperate ones, are less seasonal, relatively more constant and predictable. Such constant environments promote niche specialisation and lead to a greater species diversity
• (c) There is more solar energy available in the tropics, which contributes to higher productivity; this in turn might contribute indirectly to greater diversity.

Explanation:

• Higher productivity due to more availability of solar energy: Tropical regions receive more direct sunlight throughout the year, leading to higher productivity. This abundant solar energy supports a rich and diverse plant life, which in turn supports a wide variety of animal species.
• Tropics are less seasonal and relatively more constant and predictable: The tropical climate is relatively stable, with minimal seasonal variations. This stability allows species to thrive and diversify without the pressures of adapting to extreme seasonal changes.
• These latitudes are relatively undisturbed for many years, leading to long evolutionary time for diversification: Tropical regions have remained relatively undisturbed by glacial periods and other large-scale environmental changes. This long evolutionary history has provided ample time for species to diversify and evolve.
• Lower predation due to diversity of food availability: This statement is incorrect because the diversity of food availability does not directly reduce predation pressure. A diverse food web can support a variety of predators and prey, maintaining the balance within the ecosystem.

The correct answer is 784

Concept:

• The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, established in 1964, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species.
• It uses a set of criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species and subspecies.
• Species are categorized into groups such as Least Concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Extinct in the Wild, and Extinct.

Explanation:

• The IUCN Red List (2004) documents the extinction of 784 species (including 338 vertebrates, 359 invertebrates and 87 plants) in the last 500 years.
• Some examples of recent extinctions include the dodo (Mauritius), quagga (Africa), thylacine (Australia), Steller’s Sea Cow (Russia) and three subspecies (Bali, Javan, Caspian) of tiger.