Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life forms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, present in an ecosystem. A high level of biodiversity is essential for ecosystem stability, resilience, and functioning. In a forest ecosystem, various species of trees, plants, herbivores, carnivores, and decomposers interact with one another, forming complex food webs. These interactions support processes like nutrient cycling, pollination, and water purification. However, when biodiversity is reduced, the ecosystem becomes more vulnerable to disturbances such as climate change, invasive species, or diseases.
The primary benefit of maintaining high biodiversity in an ecosystem is:
Answer: C) To ensure ecosystem stability and resilience
In a forest ecosystem, the process of pollination is essential for:
Answer: B) Reproduction of plants
Decomposers in an ecosystem contribute to:
Answer: B) The breakdown of dead organic material and recycling of nutrients
A decrease in biodiversity in an ecosystem can result in:
Answer: C) Loss of ecosystem services such as pollination and water purification
Human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture lead to habitat loss and fragmentation. As forests are cleared for agricultural purposes or infrastructure development, the natural habitats of many species are destroyed. This reduces the area available for species to live and reproduce. Fragmentation of habitats often leads to smaller, isolated populations that have a higher risk of extinction due to inbreeding, loss of genetic diversity, and inability to migrate for resources.
Habitat fragmentation results in:
Answer: B) Isolated populations with increased risk of extinction
Deforestation, as a major cause of habitat loss, leads to:
Answer: C) Destruction of species' natural habitats
One of the consequences of habitat fragmentation is:
Answer: B) Isolation of species, leading to smaller populations
Inbreeding depression is a common issue in small, isolated populations because:
Answer: B) It decreases the genetic diversity
Protected areas such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves are vital tools for biodiversity conservation. These areas are designated to safeguard wildlife and plant species, preventing habitat destruction and promoting species survival. Additionally, biosphere reserves aim to balance conservation efforts with sustainable development. These reserves often include core zones, buffer zones, and transition zones, which help in the management and protection of biodiversity while also allowing for controlled human activity.
National parks and wildlife sanctuaries are primarily established to:
Answer: B) Protect biodiversity and prevent habitat destruction
Biosphere reserves differ from national parks and wildlife sanctuaries because they:
Answer: B) Allow controlled human activities along with conservation
A core zone in a biosphere reserve is:
Answer: B) A zone where human activities are strictly prohibited to protect biodiversity
The transition zone in a biosphere reserve is characterized by:
Answer: C) Controlled human activity that supports sustainable development
Many species, including the Bengal tiger, Indian rhinoceros, and Asiatic lion, are classified as endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. Conservation efforts such as the establishment of protected areas, anti-poaching laws, and captive breeding programs have been implemented to prevent their extinction. The Bengal tiger, for instance, is the focus of various conservation programs in India, aimed at increasing its population through protected areas like the Sundarbans and Project Tiger.
The Bengal tiger is considered an endangered species due to:
Answer: B) Habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict
Project Tiger is a conservation program aimed at:
Answer: A) Increasing the population of Bengal tigers in the wild
Captive breeding programs for endangered species are designed to:
Answer: C) Maintain a population of species in controlled environments to later reintroduce them into the wild
The Asiatic lion, a species once on the brink of extinction, has been the focus of conservation efforts primarily in:
Answer: B) Gir Forest National Park
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region that is both a significant reservoir of biodiversity and is threatened with destruction. The Western Ghats and Sundaland are examples of biodiversity hotspots, which contain numerous endemic species and face high rates of habitat destruction. These areas are of global significance, and conservation efforts focus on protecting their unique flora and fauna from the impacts of deforestation, agriculture, and urbanization.
A biodiversity hotspot is defined as:
Answer: B) A region that is rich in endemic species and is threatened with habitat destruction
The Western Ghats is considered a biodiversity hotspot because it:
Answer: B) Contains numerous species that are found nowhere else on Earth
The primary threat to biodiversity in hotspots like the Western Ghats is:
Answer: B) Habitat destruction due to deforestation and human activities
Conservation efforts in biodiversity hotspots generally focus on:
Answer: B) Protecting the unique species and their habitats from destruction