BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION

REMEMBERING

1. Which of the following regions of the globe exhibits highest species diversity?

(a) Western Ghats of India (b) Madagascar (c) Himalayas (d) Amazon forests

2. . According to Robert May, the global species diversity is about

(a) 1.5 million (b) 20 million (c) 50 million (d) 7 million.

3. Which of the following is the most important for animals and plants being driven to extinction?

(a) Alien species invasion (b) Habitat loss and fragmentation (c) Drought and floods (d) Economic
exploitation

4. Decline in the population of indian native fishes due to introduction of Clarias gariepinus in river
Yamuna can be categoriesd as

(a) co-extinction (b) habitat fragmentation (c) over-exploitation (d) alien species invasion

5. Alexander von Humboldt described for the first time

(a) laws of limiting factor (b) species area relationships (c) population growth equation (d) ecological
biodiversity

6. Which of the following is the most important cause of animals and plants being driven to extinction?
(a) Habitat loss and fragmentation (b) Co-extinctions (c) Over-exploitation (d) Alien species invasion

7. The organization which publishes the Red list of species is

(a) ICFRE (b) IUCN (c) UNEP (d) WWF.

8. Which of the following has maximum genetic diversity in India?

(a) Mango (b) Wheat (c) Groundnut (d) Rice

9. Which one of the following have the highest number of species in nature?

(a) Fungi (b) Insects (c) Birds (d) Angiosperms

10. The term ‘Biodiversity’ was popularized by

(a) Robert May (b) A. Von Humboldt (c) Edward Wilson (d) Paul Ehrlich

11. How many genetically diff erent strains of rice are found in India?
(a) 50,000 (b) 5000 (c) 2000 (d) 1000

12. Identify the type/level of biodiversity from the following

(a) Genetic (b) Species (c) Ecological (d) All of these

13. More than _________ % of all species recorded are animals.

(a) 60 (b) 70 (c) 90 (d) 10

14. For frugivorous (fruit-eating) birds and mammals in the tropical forests of different continents, the
slope of species–area relationship is foud to be approximately

(a) 0.6 (b) 1.3 (c) 1.15 (d) 1

15. . Which one of the following is an example of ex-situ conservation?

(a) Wildlife sanctuary (b) Seed bank (c) Sacred groves (d) National park

16. . Which one of the following areas in India is a hotspot of biodiversity?

(a) Eastern Ghats (b) Gangetic Plain (c) Sunderbans (d) Western Ghats

17. Vertical distribution of different species occupying different levels in a biotic community is known as

(a) Divergence (b) Stratification (c) Zonation (d) Pyramid

18. The species confined to a particular region and not found elsewhere is termed as

(a) Alien (b) Endemic (c) Rare (d) Keystone

19. How many hot spots biodiversity in the world have been identified till date by Norman Myers?

(a) 25 (b) 34 (c) 43 (d) 17

20. Red list contains date or information on

(a) Plants whose products are in international trade (b) Threatened species (c) Marine vertebrate only
(d) All economically important plants

21. Which of the following is not an invasive alien species in the Indian context?

(a) Lantana (b) Cynodon (c) Parthenium (d) Eichhornia

22. Among the ecosystem mentioned below, where can one find maximum biodiversity?

(a) Mangroves (b) Desert (c) Coral reefs (d) Alpine meadows

23. Which of the following forests is known as the ‘lungs of the planet Earth’?
(a) Tiaga forest (b) Tundra forest (c) Amazon rain forest (d) Rain forests of Northeast India

24. The abundance of a species population, within its habitat, is called

(a) relative density (b) regional density (c) absolute density (d) niche density

25. Which one of the following is not included under in situ conservation?

(a) National park (b) Sanctuary (c) Botanical garden (d) Biosphere reserve

26. Sacred groves are specially useful in

(a) generating environmental awareness (b) preventing soil erosion (c) year-round flow of water in
rivers (d) conserving rare and threatened species.

27. Which one of the following areas in India, is a hotspot of biodiversity?

(a) Eastern Ghats (b) Gangetic Plain (c) Sunderbans (d) Western Ghats

28. World Summit on Sustainable Development(2002) was held in

(a) Argentina (b) South Africa (c) Brazil (d) Sweden.

29. What is the major cause of diminishing wildlife number?

(a) Felling of trees (b) Paucity of drinking water (c) Cannibalism (d) Habitat destruction

30. Which group of vertebrates comprises the highest number of endangered species?

(a) Mammals (b) Fishes (c) Reptiles (d) Birds

KEY:

1.d

2.d

3.b

4.d

5.b

6.a

7.d

8.d

9.b
10.c

11.a

12.d

13.b

14.c

15.b

16.c

17.c

18.b

19.b

20.b

21.b

22.c

23.c

24.d

25.c

26.b

27.d

28.b

29.d

30.a

UNDERSTANDING:

1. The Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 was called

(a) for immediate steps to discontinue use of CFCs that were damaging the ozone layer

(b) to reduce CO2 emissions and global warming

(c) for conservation of biodiversity and sustainable utilisation of its benefits

(d) to assess threat posed to native species by invasive weed species

2. In which of the following, both pairs have correct combination?

(a) In-situ conservation : Seed Bank Ex-situ conservation : National Park

(b) In-situ conservation : Tissue culture Ex-situ conservation : Sacred groves

(c) In-situ conservation : National Park Ex-situ conservation : Botanical Garden

(d) In-situ conservation : Cryopreservation Ex-situ conservation : Wildlife Sanctuary

3. Cryopreservation of gametes of threatened species in viable and fertile condition can be referred to
as

(a) in situ conservation by sacred groves

(b) in situ cryo-conservation of biodiversity

(c) in situ conservation of biodiversity

(d) advanced ex situ conservation of biodiversity

4. Select the correct statement about biodiversity.

(a) The desert areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat have a very high level of desert animal species as well as
numerous rare animals.

(b) Large scale planting of Bt cotton has no adverse effect on biodiversity.

(c) Western ghats have a very high degree of species richness and endemism.

(d) Conservation of biodiversity is just a fad pursued by the developed countries.

5. Given below is the representation of the extent of global diversity of invertebrates. What groups the
four portions (A to D) represent respectively?

(a) A: Insects, B: Crustaceans, C: Other animal groups, D: Molluscs

(b) A: Crustaceans, B: Insects, C: Molluscs, D: Other animal groups

(c) A: Molluscs, B: Other animal groups, C: Crustaceans, D: Insects

(d) A: Insects, B: Molluscs, C: Crustaceans, D: Other animal groups

6. Co-extinction means

(a) Introduction of alien species leading to decline or extinction of indigenous species.

(b) Extinction due to over exploitation.

(c) Extinction due to Habitat loss.

(d) Extinction due to obligatory association of plant or animal.

7. Presently _________ % of all bird species, _________ % of all mammals species, _________ % of all
amphibian species and _________ % of all gymnosperm species in the world face the threat of
extinction.

(a) 23, 32, 12, 31 (b) 12, 23, 32, 31 (c) 12, 23, 31, 32 (d) 23, 12, 32, 81

8. Find the incorrect statement.

(a) Constant environment promote niche specialization.

(b) Key species are those which derive major ecosystem functions.

(c) Increase in diversity generally increases productivity.

(d) Increased steepness in species–area relationship curve decreases species richness in a given area.

9. There are two plots Plot ‘1’ has less species and Plot ‘2’ has more species. Which statement is true
regarding the two plots?

(a) Plot ‘1’ shows less year to year variation in total biomass.

(b) Plot ‘2’ is less resistant to natural disturbance.

(c) Plot ‘1’ has more productivity than plot ‘2’.

(d) Plot ‘2’ has more productivity than plot ‘1’.

10. Which of the followings are the features of a stable community?

(a) Resistant or resilient to occasional disturbances (Natural or Anthropogenic).

(b) Does not show much variation in productivity.

(c) Resistant to invasion by alien species.

(d) All the above

11. Which of the following is correctly matched?

(a) Aerenchyma – Opuntia

(b) Age pyramid – Biome

(c) Parthenium – Threat to biodiversity

(d) Stratification – Population

12. Which option correctly describes are equations for curves A and B, in the given graph of species -
area relationhip?

(a) S = Caz LogS = Log C + Z Log A

(b) Log S = Log C + Z S = CAz Log A

(c) Log C = Log S + Z S = CAz log A

(d) S = CAz Log C = Log S + Z Log A

13. Following arrangement is correct from the point of view of decreasing biodiversity in angiosperms
(N), fungi (F), pteridophytes (P) and algae(A)

(a) N > F > P > A (b) N > F > A > P (c) F > N > P > A (d) F > N > A > P

14. Which of the following is a reason for the greater biological diversity of tropical regions?

(a) Tropical latitudes have remained almost undisturbed for millions of years.

(b) Tropical environments are less seasonal, relatively more constant and predictable.

(c) More solar energy is available in the tropics resulting inhigh productivity.

(d) All of these

15. Which one of the following is the correct matched pair of an endangered animal and National Park ?
(a) Rhinoceros - Kaziranga National Park
(b) Wild Ass - Dudhwa National Park

(c) Great Indian - Keoladeo National Park Bustard

(d) Lion - Corbett National Park

16. Study the four statements (i–iv) given below and select the two correct ones out of them.

(i) A lion eating a deer and a sparrow feeding on grains are ecologically similar in being consumers.

(ii) Predator star fish Pisaster helps in maintaining species diversity of some invertebrates.

(iii)Predators ultimately lead to the extinction of prey species.

(iv) Production of chemicals such as nicotine, strychnine by the plants are metabolic disorders. The two
correct statements are

(a) (ii) and (iii) (b) (iii) and (iv) (c) (i) and (iv) (d) (i) and (ii).

17. Find the incorrect statement.

(a) ‘Sixth extinction’ is different from previous extinction in terms of rate of extinction.

(b) Ecologist warn that if the present trend of extinction continues, nearly 50 per cent all species on
earth might be wiped out within the next 100 years.

(c) Amphibians appear to be vulnerable to extinction.

(d) Recent extinction is completely natural.

18. Select the correct statement about biodiversity.

(a) Large scale planting of Bt cotton has no adverse effect on biodiversity.

(b) Western Ghats have a very high degree of species richness and endemism.

(c) Conservation of biodiversity is just a fad pursued by the developed countries.

(d) The desert areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat have a very high level of desert animal species as well as
numerous rare animals.

19. Assertion: Steller’s sea cow becomes extinct.

Reason: It is due to over exploitation by humans.

(a) If both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.

(b) If both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion .

(c) If the assertion is true but the reason is false.

(d) If both the assertion and reason are false.

20. How do ecologists estimate the total number of species present in the world?

(a) By counting them all.

(b) By counting the number of any one species and applying this to various genus.

(c) By making statistical comparison of the temperate–tropical species richness of an exhaustively

studied group of insects and extrapolating this ratio to other group of animals and plants.

(d) By calculating biomass of all the species.

21. Find the incorrect statement from the following.

(A) Tropic rain forests cover around 6 per cent of earth’s land surface.

(B) Amazonian rain forest is being cut and cleared for soya bean cultivation or for conversion to
grasslands for raising beef cattle.

(C) Animals with migratory habits are badly affected by habitat loss and fragmentation.

(D) Mammals and birds require small territories.

(a) A and B only (b) A and D only (c) D only (d) B and C only

22.Find the false statement.

(a) The number of fungi species is more than the combined total of the species of fishes, amphibians,
reptiles and mammals.

(b) Conventional taxonomic methods are not suitable for identifying microbial species.

(c) For many taxonomic groups, species inventories are more complete in temperate than in tropical
countries.

(d) Insects forms 70 per cent part of all the species recorded.

23. The graph formed by plotting species richness against area for a wide variety of taxa (angiosperm
plants, birds, bats, fresh water fishes, etc.) turns out to be a

(a) Parabola (b) Straight line (c) Rectangular hyperbola (d) Any of the above

24. Find the incorrect statement.

(a) Constant environment promote niche specialization.

(b) Key species are those which derive major ecosystem functions.
(c) Increase in diversity generally increases productivity.

(d) Increased steepness in species–area relationship curve decreases species richness in a given area.

25.Match the Column- I (Recently extinct animals) with Column-II (Places from where they are extinct).

(a) A:1, B:2, C:3, D:4 (b) A:4, B:3, C:2, D:1 (c) A:4, B:2, C:3, D:1 (d) A:4, B:1, C:2, D:3

26. The area where wild populations, traditional life styles and genetic resources are protected is :

(a) Core Zone (b) Buffer Zone (c) Biosphere reserve (d) Manipulation Zone

27. Which o the following statements regarding biodiversity hot spots are incorrect?

(i) High endemism

(ii) High levels of species richness.

(iii) Total number is 34 in the world.

(iv) Five of these occur in India.

(v) High alien species invasions.

(vi) Cover less than 2% of the earth's land area; but if properly conserved, they can reduce extinctions by
about 30%.

(a) (i), (ii), (iii)

(b) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)

(c) (iv), (v), (vi)

(d) (i), (ii), (iv)

28. Keystone species deserve protection because these

(a) are capable of surviving in hash environmental conditions

(b) indicate the presence of certain minerals in the soil

(c) have become rare due to overexploitation

(d) play an important role in supporting other species

29. . IUCN Red list (2004) documents the extinction of how many species in last 500 years?

(a) 784 (b) 874 (c) 478 (d) 487

30. The most dramatic examples of habitat loss comes from the

(a) Tropical rain forests (b) Temperate forests (c) Grasslands (d) Deserts

KEY:

1.C

2.C

3.D

4.C

5.D

6.D

7.B

8.D

9.D

10.D

11.C

12.A

13.D

14.D

15.A

6.D

17.D

18.B

19.A
20.C

21.C

22.D

23.C

25.B

26.C

27.C

28.D

29.A

30.A

APPLICATION:

1.What is A, B, C and D in this figure?

pi-chart for number of species of major taxa of vertebrates

(a)A: Mammals, B: Birds, C: Reptiles, D: Amphibians (b) A: Amphibians, B: Birds, C: Mammals, D: Reptiles
(c) A: Reptiles, B: Amphibians, C: Birds, D: mammals (d) A: Mammals, B: Reptiles, C: Birds, D: Amphibians

2. Find the incorrect statement from the following.

(A) Tropic rain forests cover around 6 per cent of earth’s land surface.

(B) Amazonian rain forest is being cut and cleared for soya bean cultivation or for conversion to
grasslands for raising beef cattle.

(C) Animals with migratory habits are badly affected by habitat loss and fragmentation.

(D) Mammals and birds require small territories.

(a) A and B only (b) A and D only (c) D only (d) B and C only
3. Find the incorrect statement from the following.

(a) Introduction of Nile perch in Lake Victoria in east Africa lead to the extinction of more than 200
species of cichlid fish in the lake.

(b) Fast dwindling Amazon forest is estimated to produce, through photosynthesis, 20 per cent of the
total oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere.

(c) More than 25 per cent of drugs currently sold worldwide are derived from plants.

(d) Illegal introduction of American catfish Clarias gariepinus for aquaculture purpose is posing threat to
indigenous cat fishes in our rivers.

4. The species diversity of plants (22%) is much less than that of animals (72%), what could be the
explanation to how animals achieved greater diversification?

(a) Animal are non-motile.

(b) Their movement to diverse habitats resulted in more evolutionary changes occurring in animals.

(c) Animals use carbohydrate and lipid as a source of energy.

(d) Animal DNA is different from plant DNA in terms of type of nitrogen bases

5. Identify A, B, C and D in this figure

p-chart for the number of species of major taxa of Invertebrates

(a) A: Insects, B: Crustaceans, C: Molluscs, D: Other animal groups

(b) A: Other animal groups, B: Molluscs, C: Crustaceans, D: Insects

(c) A: Molluscs, B: Insects, C: Other animal groups, D: Crustaceans

(d) A: Insects, B: Molluscs, C: Crustaceans, D: Other animal groups

6. Assertion: According to the IUCN (2004), the total number of plant and animal species described so
far is lightly more than 1.5 million.
Reason: For many taxonomic groups, species inventories are more complete in temperate than in
tropical areas.

(a) If both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.

(b) If both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion

(c) If the assertion is true but the reason is false.

(d) If both the assertion and reason are false.

7. Assertion: Colombia located near the equator has nearly 1400 species of birds which New York 41° N
has 105 species and green land at 71°N only 56 species.

Reason: Generally tropics harbour more species than temperate or polar region.

(a) If both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.

(b) If both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion

(c) If the assertion is true but the reason is false.

(d) If both the assertion and reason are false

8. Which of the following statements is correct?

(a) Parthenium is an endemic species of our country. (b) African catfish is not a threat to indigenous
catfishes. (c) Steller’s sea cow is an extinct animal. (d) Lantana is popularly known as carrot grass.

9. Assertion: Current estimates do not give any figure for prokaryotes taxonomic.

Reason: Conventional taxonomic methods are not suitable for identifying microbial species.

(a) If both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.

(b) If both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion .

(c) If the assertion is true but the reason is false.

(d) If both the assertion and reason are false.

10. Assertion: Sixth extinction presently in progress different from the previous episode.

Reason: Difference is in the rate; current species extinction rates are estimated to be 100 to 1000 times
faster than in the pre-human times.

(a) If both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.

(b) If both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion .
(c) If the assertion is true but the reason is false.

(d) If both the assertion and reason are false.

11. Find the incorrect statement.

(a) Constant environment promote niche specialization.

(b) Key species are those which derive major ecosystem functions.

(c) Increase in diversity generally increases productivity.

(d) Increased steepness in species–area relationship curve decreases species richness in a given area

12. Find the incorrect statement from the following.

(A) Tropic rain forests cover around 6 per cent of earth’s land surface.

(B) Amazonian rain forest is being cut and cleared for soya bean cultivation or for conversion to
grasslands for raising beef cattle.

(C) Animals with migratory habits are badly affected by habitat loss and fragmentation.

(D) Mammals and birds require small territories.

(a) A and B only (b) A and D only (c) D only (d) B and C only

13. Gametes of threatened species can be preserved in viable and fertile condition for long periods using

(a) PCR technique (b) CTAB (c) Cryopreservation technique (d) In situ conservation

14. Find the incorrect match.

(a) Pollinator – Bees, Bumblebees, Bats and Birds

(b) Legally protected biodiversity rich region – Biosphere reserve, National park, wildlife sanctuaries,
sacred groves

(c) Lung of planet – Amazonian rain forest

(d) Rivet popper hypothesis – Harvard ecologist Paul Ehrlich

15. Assertion: Insects are enormously diversified.

Reason: It is because of the presence of exoskeleton made up of chitin.

(a) If both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.

(b) If both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion .
(c) If the assertion is true but the reason is false.

(d) If both the assertion and reason are false

16. Assertion: India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity economies of the world.

Reason: India has only 2.4% of the world’s land area. It shares 8.1% if the global species diversity.

17. Assertion: Species richness is also function of the area of a region.

Reason: The species area relationship is generally a rectangle hyperbolic function

(a) If both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.

(b) If both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion .

(c) If the assertion is true but the reason is false.

(d) If both the assertion and reason are false

18. Assertion: Removal of key stone from an ecosystem leads to destruction of ecosystem.

Reason: Keystone species drive major ecosystem functions.

(a) If both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.

(b) If both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion .

(c) If the assertion is true but the reason is false.

(d) If both the assertion and reason are false

19. Cryopreservation of gametes of threatened species in viable and fertile condition can be referred to
as

(a) In situ conservation of biodiversity. (b) Advanced ex situ conservation of biodiversity. (c) In situ
conservation by sacred groves. (d) In situ cryo-conservation of biodiversity.

20. Assertion: Biodiversity hotspots are example of in situ conservation.

Reason: It is a conservation of biological wealth on site.

(a) If both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.

(b) If both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion .

(c) If the assertion is true but the reason is false.

(d) If both the assertion and reason are false

21. The main difference between the “sixth extinction” and the previous five is the sixth extinction:

(a) is mainly occurring on islands

(b)is mainly affecting plants
(c)is happening at a faster rate
(d)does not involve human activities

22. Assertion: Ex situ conservation is carried out in biosphere reserves, national parks and sanctuaries.

Reason: NGOs are involved in the maintenance of these protected areas.

(a) If both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion.

(b) If both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion .

(c) If the assertion is true but the reason is false.

(d) If both the assertion and reason are false

23. Study the four statements (i–iv) given below and select the two correct ones out of them.

(i) A lion eating a deer and a sparrow feeding on grains are ecologically similar in being consumers.

(ii) Predator star fish Pisaster helps in maintaining species diversity of some invertebrates.

(iii)Predators ultimately lead to the extinction of prey species.

(iv) Production of chemicals such as nicotine, strychnine by the plants are metabolic disorders. The two
correct statements are

(a) (ii) and (iii) (b) (iii) and (iv) (c) (i) and (iv) (d) (i) and (ii)

24. Assertion: The diversity of microbes may run into millions.

Reason: If we use biochemical or molecular criteria to estimate microbial species

25. Assertion: India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity economies of the world.

Reason: India has only 2.4% of the world’s land area. It shares 8.1% if the global species diversity

26. Assertion: Colombia located near the equator has nearly 1400 species of birds which New York 41° N
has 105 species and green land at 71°N only 56 species.

Reason: Generally tropics harbour more species than temperate or polar region.

27. Assertion: Tropics have greater biological diversity.

Reason: More solar energy in tropics, contributes to lighter productivity, which in turn may contribute
directly to greater biodiversity.
28. Assertion: Amazon rain forest is called lung of our planet.

Reason: Amazon rain forest produces 80% of total oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere through process of
photosynthesis.

29. Select the correct statement about biodiversity.

(a) The desert areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat have a very high level of desert animal species as well as
numerous rare animals.

(b) Large scale planting of Bt cotton has no adverse effect on biodiversity.

(c) Western ghats have a very high degree of species richness and endemism.

(d) Conservation of biodiversity is just a fad pursued by the developed countries.

30. Identify the odd combination of the habitat and the particular animal concerned.

(a) Sunderbans – Bengal Tiger

(b) Periyar – Elephant

(c) Rann of Kutch – Wild Ass

(d) Dachigam National Park– Snow Leopard

KEY:

1.A

2.C

3.D

4.B

5.B

6.B

7.A

8.C

9.A

10.A

11.D
12.C

13.C

14.D

15.A

16.A

17.B

18.A

19.B

20.A

21.C

22.D

23.D

24.A

25.A

26.A

27.C

28.A

29.A

30.D