Ecosystems and Biodiversity Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following ecosystems is characterized by a low vegetation and has adapted flora for extreme heat and minimal water?

  • Desert ecosystem (correct)
  • Aquatic ecosystem
  • Grassland ecosystem
  • Forest ecosystem

What is the primary role of producers in an ecosystem?

  • Consuming other organisms
  • Converting sunlight into energy (correct)
  • Decomposing organic matter
  • Maintaining energy flow

Which type of biodiversity refers to the variety of species in a certain habitat?

  • Ecosystem diversity
  • Genetic diversity
  • Species diversity (correct)
  • Community diversity

What is a major threat to biodiversity mentioned in the content?

<p>Habitat loss (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of pollution discussed?

<p>Chemical pollution (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which conservation strategy involves protecting species in their natural habitat?

<p>In-situ conservation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of thermal pollution?

<p>Wastewater discharge from industrial plants (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method is used for sustainable management of water resources?

<p>Rainwater harvesting (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What property of water allows it to rise through the trunk of tall trees such as Sequoia?

<p>High surface tension and cohesion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does ice float on water instead of sinking?

<p>Ice expands when it freezes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of energy that drives the water cycle?

<p>Solar energy (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does water play a role in the uptake and distribution of nutrients in living organisms?

<p>By acting as a solvent and medium for transport (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the water that evaporates from the oceans returns to them through the hydrological cycle?

<p>90% (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which geographic factor primarily contributes to uneven distribution of water resources globally?

<p>Air pressure systems (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do plants play in the water cycle?

<p>They release water vapor through transpiration (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a use of water mentioned in the content?

<p>Healthcare (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What quantity of water was determined to be available according to the Eradi Tribunal in 1985?

<p>17.17 MAF (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What has been the primary cause of water conflict between Punjab and Haryana?

<p>Punjab's claim as a riparian state (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a neerkatti in southern India?

<p>To manage traditional water tanks (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which organization was directed to complete the SYL project by the Supreme Court in 2002?

<p>Punjab Government (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary water sources managed by churpun in Ladakh?

<p>Melt water from glaciers (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What strategy has Haryana employed to alleviate its water shortages?

<p>Signing MOUs for Yamuna water allocation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which local water managers in Maharashtra attend to conflicts related to water distribution?

<p>Havaldars or Jaghyas (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which principle underlies traditional water management practices in India?

<p>Communal decision-making and democratic implementation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the wood harvest is used for building materials?

<p>One third (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of forests in relation to carbon dioxide?

<p>They act as a sink for carbon dioxide. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an ecological service provided by forests?

<p>Soil erosion (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much is the commercial goods value produced by a typical tree?

<p>$590 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do forests play in regulating the hydrological cycle?

<p>They act as giant sponges absorbing rainfall and regulating runoff. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the international timber trade?

<p>It accounts for a significant part of the national economy. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of over-exploitation of forests?

<p>It results in large scale logging and mining. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which benefit of forests involves their function as pollution moderators?

<p>They can absorb toxic gases and reduce noise. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern regarding the Narmada Valley Project?

<p>Displacement of a large population (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the displacement from the Narmada Valley Project affect tribal peoples?

<p>They experience economic deprivation and cultural loss (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a unique feature of water?

<p>Ability to exist as a solid over a wide temperature range (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the earth's surface is covered by water?

<p>97% (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact does water's high specific heat have on aquatic life?

<p>It enables gradual temperature stabilization (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a requirement for the proper rehabilitation of displaced tribals?

<p>Comprehensive support from project proponents (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does water play in transporting essential nutrients?

<p>It serves as a carrier for nutrients and oxygen (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of the wildlife species loss due to development projects like the Narmada Valley Project?

<p>Endangerment of species listed in Wildlife Protection Act (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What natural disaster has been significantly influenced by human activities such as deforestation and industrialization?

<p>Floods (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which country has experienced severe floods that resulted in massive death tolls in the years mentioned?

<p>Bangladesh (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributes to the creation of drought conditions?

<p>Annual rainfall below normal (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which crop is mentioned as contributing to severe water exploitation in Maharashtra?

<p>Sugarcane (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a proposed solution to address the flood issues at the national level?

<p>Networking of rivers (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What trend has been observed in India in relation to desertification over the last twenty years?

<p>Increase in drought-prone areas (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of agricultural practice is recommended to optimize production and minimize crop failures in drought-prone areas?

<p>Mixed cropping (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What human activity is cited as exacerbating the spread of deserts and converting areas to drought-affected regions?

<p>Overgrazing (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) interacting with their non-living environment (soil, water, air).

Producers in an Ecosystem

Organisms that make their own food through photosynthesis, like plants.

Ecological Succession

The gradual process of change in an ecosystem over time, leading to a stable community.

Biodiversity

The variety of life on Earth, including all plants, animals, and microorganisms, and their ecosystems.

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Threats to Biodiversity

Factors that negatively impact the diversity of life, such as habitat loss, poaching, pollution, and climate change.

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Air Pollution

The contamination of air with harmful substances, like gases, dust, and smoke.

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Sustainable Development

Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

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Climate Change

A long-term change in global weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities that release greenhouse gases.

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Wood Uses

One-third of wood harvest is used for building materials like lumber, plywood, particle board, and chipboard. One-sixth is converted into pulp for the paper industry.

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Forest Uses

Forests are used for mining, agriculture, grazing, recreation, dam development, and provide ecological services.

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Ecological Services of Forests

Forests provide oxygen production, reduction of global warming by absorbing CO2, wildlife habitat, regulation of the hydrological cycle, soil conservation, and pollution moderation.

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Forest Value

A single tree produces commercial goods worth around $590 but provides ecological services valued at nearly $196,250.

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Oxygen Production

Trees produce oxygen through photosynthesis, a process vital for life on Earth. They are often referred to as Earth's lungs.

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Reducing Global Warming

Forests absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, during photosynthesis, mitigating the problem of global warming.

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Wildlife Habitat

Forests are home to millions of animal and plant species, with approximately 7 million species found in tropical forests alone.

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Hydrological Cycle Regulation

Forests act like sponges, absorbing rainfall, slowing runoff, and releasing water gradually, contributing to spring recharge. About 50-80% of moisture above tropical forests comes from their transpiration, aiding in rain formation.

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Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

A law in India that protects endangered species by listing them in schedules. Schedule I lists the most critically endangered species, offering the highest level of protection.

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Schedule I & II of Wildlife Protection Act

These schedules list endangered and vulnerable species in India. Schedule I provides the highest level of protection, while Schedule II offers lesser protection, but significant nonetheless.

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Displacement due to Narmada Valley Project

The Narmada Valley Project, a large dam construction project in India, is estimated to displace over a million people, primarily tribal communities, from their land.

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Rehabilitation of Displaced Tribals

The process of providing displaced tribal communities with new homes, livelihoods, and resources to adapt to their new environment following displacement by a large-scale project.

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Impact of Displacement on Tribal Culture

Displacement of tribal communities can cause a severe disruption to their culture, beliefs, customs, and traditions, which are deeply connected to their land.

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Economic Deprivation of Displaced Tribals

The displacement of tribal communities often leads to economic hardship as they lose access to their traditional livelihoods and are forced to adapt to new circumstances.

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Water's Unique Properties

Water exhibits several distinct properties that make it essential for life. These include its liquid state over a wide temperature range, high specific heat, high latent heat of vaporization, and excellent solvent properties.

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Water as a Nutrient Carrier

Water’s excellent solvent properties allow it to transport essential nutrients, including oxygen, which are crucial for supporting life.

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Water's Role in Life

Water is crucial for life, facilitating nutrient transport, temperature regulation, and waste removal within organisms.

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Water's Role in Ecosystems

Water cycles through the environment, evaporating from various sources, returning as rain or snow, and passing through living organisms.

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Global Water Distribution

Water resources are unevenly distributed globally, with abundant rainfall in tropical rainforests and limited rainfall in deserts.

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Water's Uses for Humans

Humans rely on water for drinking, agriculture, transportation, industry, and cooling power plants.

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Hydrological Cycle

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

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Anomalous Expansion of Water

Water expands when it freezes, unlike most substances that contract. This is why ice floats.

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Water's Surface Tension

Water has strong cohesive forces that create surface tension, enabling it to climb high in trees.

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Flooding Cause: Deforestation

Cutting down trees reduces the ability of the land to absorb rainwater, increasing the risk of floods.

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Flooding Impact: Bangladesh

Bangladesh regularly faces floods, with some being moderate and beneficial for agriculture, while others are severe and devastating.

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Flooding Consequences

Floods can cause significant economic losses and loss of life, especially during severe events.

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Drought: Arid and Semi-Arid

Droughts occur in regions with low rainfall and high evaporation rates, often lasting for extended periods.

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Drought Impact: Population Growth

Drought-prone areas with high population growth can experience worsened drought conditions due to overuse of resources.

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Drought Cause: Anthropogenic

Deforestation, overgrazing, and mining can worsen drought conditions by reducing the land's ability to retain moisture.

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Drought Solution: Indigenous Knowledge

Traditional practices and knowledge help manage droughts and desertification, promoting sustainable land use.

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Drought Solution: Mixed Cropping

Planting different crops together helps minimize the risk of crop failures during droughts.

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Eradi Tribunal and Water Allocation

The 1985 Eradi Tribunal decided on water allocation based on 20 years of data (1960-1980), resulting in 17.17 MAF water available.

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Punjab's Water Argument

Punjab argues that the water availability has decreased in the last 17 years, making it only 14.34 MAF.

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SYL Canal Dispute

In 2002, the Supreme Court ordered Punjab to complete the SYL canal within a year, but the canal remains unfinished, causing conflict over sharing Ravi-Beas waters.

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Haryana's Water Shortage

Haryana, which became a state in 1966, faces acute water shortage and has sought water from the Yamuna river through agreements with other states.

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Neerkatti: Traditional Water Manager

In south India, a neerkatti manages traditional water tanks by considering terrain, drainage, and irrigation needs.

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Havaldar/Jaghya: Water Managers in Maharashtra

In Maharashtra, havaldars or jaghyas oversee water channels and resolve conflicts between users.

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Churpun: Water Manager in Ladakh

In Ladakh, the churpun manages water distribution, using glacier meltwater, springs, and marshes for irrigation.

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Traditional Water Management: Equitable Distribution

Traditional systems often involve democratic 'gram sabhas' (village councils) to ensure fair water allocation.

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Study Notes

Book Title and Edition

  • Perspectives in Environmental Studies, Second Edition

Authors

  • Anubha Kaushik
  • C.P. Kaushik

Publisher

  • New Age International Publishers
  • Copyright © 2004, New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers
  • No part of this ebook may be reproduced in any form... without the written permission of the publisher.
  • All inquiries should be emailed to [email protected]

Dedication

  • Dedicated with reverence to the memories of Prof. A.K. Sinha and Late Smt. Asha Rani Kaushik.

Preface to the Second Edition

  • Exponential growth of human population and technological advancements have led to widespread environmental contamination.
  • Exploitative use of natural resources and environmental pollution threaten life support systems.
  • The objective of environmental protection requires public involvement.
  • University Grants Commission mandates environmental studies as part of all undergraduate curricula.
  • This book covers the fundamental concept of environmental science and engineering as per the Anna University syllabus.
  • The book is divided into seven units, each covering different aspects of environment.

Core Module Syllabus for Environmental Studies

  • Unit 1: The Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies
    • Definition, scope and importance of environmental studies.
    • Need for public awareness regarding environmental concerns.
  • Unit 2: Natural Resources (2 Lectures) -(a) Forest resources: Use, over-exploitation, deforestation, case studies. Timber extraction and its effects. Dams and their effects. Exploitation of natural resources. -(b) Water resources: Use, over-utilization, floods, droughts, conflicts. Benefits and problems of dams. -(c) Mineral resources: Use, exploitation, environmental effects. Case studies. -(d) Food resources: World food problems, modern agriculture, fertilizer problems, waterlogging and salinity. Case studies. -(e) Energy resources: Use of renewable and non-renewable energy, case studies. -(f) Land resources: Land degradation, soil erosion, desertification. Role of individuals in conservation of natural resources; equitable resource use for sustainable lifestyles.
  • Unit 3: Ecosystems (8 Lectures)
    • Concept, structure and function (biotic and abiotic components) of an ecosystem.
    • Producers, consumers, decomposers, energy flow.
    • Ecological succession, food chains, food webs, and ecological pyramids.
  • Unit 4: Bio-diversity and its Conservation (6 Lectures)
    • Introduction, diversity, definition, biogeographical classification of India.
    • Value of biodiversity.
    • India as a mega-diversity nation, threats to biodiversity, and conservation methods (In-situ and Ex-situ).
  • Unit 5: Environmental Pollution (8 Lectures)
    • Causes, effects and control measures of air, water, soil, marine and noise pollution.
    • Solid waste management.
    • Case studies, role of individuals in preventing pollution.
  • Unit 6: Social Issues and the Environment (7 Lectures)
    • Sustainable Development.
    • Urban problems related to energy, water conservation, rain water harvesting, watershed management, issues and solutions.
    • Environmental ethics, climate change, ozone depletion, waste-land reclamation.
    • Consumerism and waste products.
    • Case studies.
  • Unit 7: Human Population and Environment (7 Lectures)
    • Human population growth variations, population explosion, environment and human health, human rights.
    • Women and child welfare
    • Role of information technology in environment and human health.
    • Case studies.
  • Unit 8: Field Work
  • Visit to a local area/hill/mountain to document environmental assets (river, forest, grassland, etc.).
  • Field trip to a local, polluted site (urban/rural/industrial/agricultural).
  • Study of common plants, insects, birds.
  • Simple ecosystem studies (pond, river, hills etc.).

Contents

  • Provides an organized listing of topics with page numbers for easy referencing.

Environmental Science and Engineering

  • Provides detailed topic descriptions throughout the book.

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Description

Test your knowledge on ecosystems, biodiversity, and the vital roles within natural environments. This quiz covers various aspects such as producers, conservation strategies, and the unique properties of water. Dive deep into the intricacies of habitat and ecological balance.

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