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IAS > Environment & Ecology > Flashcards

Environment & Ecology Flashcards

1
Q

What is Indian Ocean Rim Association?

A

An organisation headquartered at Mauritius setup in 1997 with KV Bhagirath as its chairman.
Principle- open regionalism for coop for development of members of forum
Members- Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Mauritius, Malaysia, Omen, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Sri Lanka, UAE, Yemen

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2
Q

Bathymetry?

A
  • Bathymetry is the study of underwater depth of lake or ocean floors.
  • Bathymetric (or hydrographic) charts are typically produced to support safety of surface or sub-surface navigation, and usually show seafloor relief or terrain as contour lines (called depth contours or isobaths) and selected depths (soundings), and typically also provide surface navigational information.
  • Bathymetric maps (a more general term where navigational safety is not a concern) may also use a Digital Terrain Model and artificial illumination techniques to illustrate the depths being portrayed. Paleobathymetry is the study of past underwater depths.
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3
Q

Rajaji National Park

A
  • Tiger Reserve status given
  • Situated in 3 districts (Haridwar, Dehradun, Garhwal) of Uttarakhand comprising the Shivaliks on the foothills of Himalayas
  • It is the 2nd tiger reserve in Uttarakhand. First one is Corbett National Park
  • it was formed in 1983 by merging 3 wildlife sanctuaries named Chilla, Motichur, Rajaji into one
  • the park was named after C Rajagopalachari
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4
Q

Tiger Conservative Authority of India

A
  • its formation was recommended by Tiger Task Force for management of Project Tiger
  • it was established in 2005 by amending the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
  • 2 national parks were given Tiger Reserve status: Kudremukh, Karnataka & Rajaji, UK
  • 2 new tiger reserves to be made at sites: Ratapani, MP and Sunabeda, Odisha
  • Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) has been raised and deployed in 3 tiger reserves- Bandipur in Karnataka, Tadoba-Andhari and Pench both in Maharashtra.
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5
Q

Project Tiger

A
  • Started in 1973 for conservation of endangered tiger.
  • Started with 8 tiger reserves and presently 48
  • Nagarjunsagar, Andha P is the largest
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6
Q

Pollutants causing reduction in foodgrain production?

A
  • Black Carbon- does not let sunlight to reach plants
  • Surface Ozone- directly toxic to plants and visibly damaging vegetation and interfering with ability of plants to make and store food

(Both are main constituents of smog)

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7
Q

Song birds of Peninsula

A

A songbird is a bird belonging to the clade Passeri of the perching birds (Passeriformes).
Their highly developed vocal organ is developed in such a way as to produce a diverse and elaborate tune.
China in 1997 banned these hunting of the species, known there as the “ rice bird“.
-23 species of songbirds inhabit the Shola forests of the sky islands of Western Ghats.

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8
Q

Currency Building in Kolkata VS Metro Corridor

A
  • built in 1833, during time of William Bentinick, as Agra Bank in Italian Style
  • later served as Office of Issue and Exchange Government Currency later.
  • also served as RBI till 1937.
  • 1998 it was made a protected monument.
  • the East-West Metro corridor in Kolkata passes from a distance of 32-33m from the building
  • as per rules, no construction or mining could be done within 100m of a protected monument.
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9
Q

Major Aquatic biomes of the world?

A
  1. Inter-tidal (Littoral)- shores, coasts
  2. Neritic- Shallow continental shelf
  3. Oceanic (pelagic)- upper layers of deep oceans
  4. Aphotic (abyssal)- deep seas without sunlight
  5. Freshwater- rivers, lakes, nearby terrestrial biomes
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10
Q

Explain the Tundra Biome (1)?

A
  • adjoining poles, northernmost
  • no trees, small shrubs in parts away from the poles; lichens, mosses
  • reindeer, arctic fox, polar bear, snowy owl, lemming, Arctic hare; reptiles, amphibians absent
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11
Q

Explain Tiaga Biome (2) or Boreal Forest?

A
  • moderate temperatures than tundra; north Europe, Asia, N America
  • coniferous forests with spruce(abundant), pine, fur
  • small birds, Hawks, fur bearing carnivores, elks, puma, wolves, Siberian tigers
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12
Q

Explain the Temperate Deciduous Forest or Biome(3)?

A
  • central and Southern Europe, Eastern N. America, western China, Japan, New Zealand
  • moderate rainfall, most productive
  • beech, oak, maple, cherry
  • common vertebrates and non vertebrates
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13
Q

Tropical Rain Forest or Biome(4)?

A
  • Equatorial region
  • high rainfall, covers 7% world forests and 40% of total species of flora and fauna
  • broad leafed trees, epiphytes concentrated on tree tops
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14
Q

Savannah Biome(5)?

A
  • most extensive in Africa
  • grasses and scattered trees, fire resisting thorny shrubs
  • grazers, browsers such as antelopes, elephants, zebras, buffaloes, rhinoceros; carnivores such as cheetah, mongoose, hyenas, lion, rodents
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15
Q

Grassland Biomes(6)?

A
  • N America, Ukraine
  • low rainfall, temperate climate
  • abundance of grasses, drought resistant plants such as cactus, sagebrush, euphorbias
  • cattle , bison, wolves, rodents, antelopes, many ground nesting birds
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16
Q

Desert Biome (7)?

A
  • in continental interiors, very low and sporadic rainfall
  • days hot but cold nights
  • reptiles, mammals, birds
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17
Q

Organisms that can live in wide range of temperatures and salinity are called?
Organisms of narrow range?
Give Examples.

A

Temperature variations:
-Eurythermal- comprises of 1% organisms includes: Angiosperms (birds, mammals, insects, humans, all flowering plants)
-Stenothermal- 99%
Includes- Xerophytes or Cryophytes

Salinity variations:

  • Euryhayaline- that can survive in high levels of salinity
  • Stenothermal- includes fresh water organisms
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18
Q

What is the optimum depth of the oceans beyond which sunlight does not reaches and name the organism that perform photosynthesis in this environment also?

A

Beyond 500 metre

Red algae can photosynthesise by absorbing the low wavelength solar radiation of the visible spectrum even in the deepest ocean

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19
Q

Why do small insects cannot survive in polar areas?

A

Because they have large surface area as compared to their volume. They tend to lose or gain more heat. Their capacity to thermoregulate is up to a level beyond which the “simply Conform”.

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20
Q

Differentiate between Heliophytes and Sciophytes

A

Heliophytes- or sun plants have high intensity solar radiation adaptation; have high respiration and high temperature optimisation for photosynthesis

Sciophytes- or shade plants have low respiratory, photosynthetic, metabolic activities

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21
Q

Various types of Xerophytes and their adaptations?

A
  1. Ephemerals(draught escapers)- remain in form of seeds and completes their brief life cycle during rainy season. Ex:- Euphorbias, Argimones
  2. Annuals(draught evaders)- they continue to live for few months even after the rains stop by reducing transpiration. Ex:- Echinops
  3. Succulents(draught resistants)- have fleshy organs to store water, fleshy stems which are green and photosynthetic, proliferation of parenchyma cells, enlarged vacuoles to reduce intercellular spaces, leafy spines replacing leaves, thick cuticle, sunken stomata that opens only at night. Ex:- Optunia, Euphorbias, Asparagus
  4. Non-Succulent Perennials(True Xerophytes)- extensive root system along the surface, waxy coating on leaves, sunken stomata, reduced leaf blades. Ex:- Acacia, Zizypus Jujube, Calotropis
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22
Q

What are the chemical changes that occur in Xerophytes in response to water scarcity and high temperatures?

A
  1. C-4 Photosynthesis pathway- which allows them to perform photosynthesis at a very high rate and under abnormally high temperatures.
  2. Accumulating Proline- an amino acid that helps the leaves to maintain osmotic and water pressure.
  3. Chaperoning- are heat shock proteins that help other proteins to maintain structure and avoid denaturation.
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23
Q

How does Polymorphism occur within in a specie?

A

When a certain population of a specie lives together in a cooperative interaction, the population is divided into castes for performing different activities or jobs.
Ex- bees (queen, workers, males)

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24
Q

Give some historically famous examples of successful Biological Pest Control measures.
OR
Prickly Pear caused havoc in Australia in 1920s. Why?

A 
Prickly pears (mostly Opuntia stricta) were imported into Australia in the 19th century for use as a natural agricultural fence and in an attempt to establish a cochineal dye industry. It quickly became invasive making farming land unproductive. 
The moth Cactoblastis cactorum from South America, whose larvae eat prickly pear, was introduced in 1925 and almost wiped out the population.
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25
Q

What are transducers and transduction?

A

The organisms that convert the radiant sunlight from sun into chemical energy are called transducers.

The process of conversion of one form of energy into other form is called transduction.

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26
Q

Examples of Photoautotrophs and Chemoautotrophs.

A
  • •photo- Euglena, green sulphur bacteria

* •chemo- colourless sulphur bacteria, iron bacteria, nitrifying bacteria

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27
Q

What are phagotrophs?

A

The animals which ingest food via mouth are called phagotrophs.

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28
Q

What are Phytoplankton, Nektons, Benthic organisms?

A

Zooplankton- are floating organisms in aquatic ecosystem. Ex- Cyclops, Cypris
Nektons- are the fishes
Benthic- bitten dwellers, mites, molluscs

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29
Q

What is Primary Production and Productivity in biosphere? SI Units?
What is Gross and Net primarily productivity?
What are the factors that change the primary production?
Name the most productive ecosystems on earth.

A

Primary Production- is the amount of biomass or organic mass produced per unit area over a time period by plants during photosynthesis. It is expressed as g* and kcal*
Productivity- is the rate of biomass production. Expressed as g/year and kcal/year

Gross PP- total productivity
Net PP- total productivity-energy used in respiration

Factors influencing productivity- availability of nutrients; photosynthetic capacity of plants; climate. Of total productivity, 70% is on surface.

Most Productive- Amazon Rainforest and Coral Reefs

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30
Q

Explain and link the terms together in a timeline: DETRITUS, DETRITIVOROUS, FRAGMENTATION, LEACHING, CATABOLISM, HUMIFICATION, HUMUS, MINERALISATION.

A

DETRITUS is the raw material for decomposing.
FRAGMENTATION is the process of breakdown of detritus into smaller particles/fragments by DETRITIVOROUS (ex- earthworms)
LEACHING is the process in which the water soluble inorganic nutrients of detritus goes down in the soil horizon and get precipitated as unavailable salts.
CATABOLISM is the process in which bacteria and fungi breaks down organic matter into simpler inorganic substances.
During decomposition, fragmentation, leaching and catabolism takes place simultaneously. Next two processes takes place in the soil.
HUMIFICATION is a process which leads to accumulation of dark coloured amorphous substance called HUMUS that is highly resistant to microbial action and undergoes decomposition extremely slowly. Being colloidal in nature, it serves as reservoir of nutrients.
MINERALISATION is a process in which the humus is further degraded by some microbes and releases inorganic nutrients.

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31
Q

Factors influencing the rate of decomposition?

A
  • Decomposition is a oxygen requiring process.
  • Temperature and soil moisture are most important factors which influence decomposition indirectly by regulating the action of micro organisms. Warm and moist climate enhances decomposition whereas low temperature and less/no oxygen slows/stops decomposition leading to building up of organic material.
  • Chemical composition- detritus containing Lignin and Chitin are slowly decomposed but the rate increases if detritus is rich in Nitrogen and water soluble substances such as Sugar.
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32
Q

What are fecundive species?

A

The specie that are highly prolific in producing offsprings.

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33
Q

Polyphagous organisms?

A

Organisms that can feed on more than one kind of organism.

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34
Q

What is Standing crop in ecology? How is it measured?

A

Each tropic level has a certain mass of living material at a particular time is called as standing crop.
It is measured as the mass of living organisms (biomass) or the number in unit area. The biomass of a specie is expressed in terms of fresh or dry weight. Measurement of biomass in dry weight is more accurate.

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35
Q

What is Standing State in ecology?

A

It is the amount of nutrients present in the soil at any given point of time.

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36
Q

In primary ecological succession of plants; what is Hydrach, Xerarch and Mesic?

A

When primary succession takes place in very wet ecosystems, then the succession is called Hydrach and Xerarch in dry areas.
When succession proceeds, both of them give rise to a Mesic, which denotes equilibrium and is between the both.

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37
Q

What is the chief source of nitrogen for green plants?

A

Nitrate ions in soil and water.

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38
Q

Nitrogen Cycle- Nitrate Assimilation, Ammonification, Nitrification, Denitrification, Biological Nitrogen Fixation, Non-Biological Nitrogen Fixation?

A
  • •Nitrite Assimilation- a process in which plants absorb the nitrate ions and ammonium ions to form proteins from them.
  • •Ammonification- Animals excretions having nitrogenous waste materials (urea, uric acid, ammonia) and detritus are then converted into ammonium compounds and carbon-dioxide by the putrefying bacteria (Bacillus Ramosus, B Vulgaris) and fungi (Zygorhinchus Vuilleminii). They are found in soil and in mud of water bodies. It is also called Mineralization
  • •Nitrification- the ammonium compounds are then oxidised by nitrite bacteria (Nitrosomanas, Nitrococcus) to soluble nitrites, which are further oxidised by nitrate bacteria (Nitrobacter, Nitrocystis) and fungi (Penicillium) to soluble nitrates. These nitrates are then added to soil and water.
  • •Denitrification- some bacteria (Pseudomonas gerusinosa, Micrococcus denitrificans, Thiobaccilum denitrificans) and fungi convert nitrates, nitrites, ammonium compounds into molecular nitrogen which escapes into air or water. This is a anaerobic process taking place in mud of fertile ponds, lakes, bogs, estuaries and parts of ocean floors.
  • •Biological Nitrogen Fixation- molecular nitrogen has to be fixed before being used by plants by bacteria (Azotobacter, Clostridium), Cyanobacteria (Nostoc, Anabaena, Aulosina, Tolypothrix) and symbiotic bacteria (Rhizobium leguminosarum in root nodules). Bacteria take up free nitrogen from the atmosphere and convert it into soluble nitrates.
  • •Non-Biological Nitrogen Fixation- atmospheric nitrogen is converted into nitrous oxide by electrical energy of lightening and natural ionising radiations. Nitrous oxide comes down by rain and is used by plants. It is also called electrochemical and photochemical fixation of nitrogen.
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39
Q

What is the amount of nitrogen released by the Non-Biological and Biological nitrogen fixation?

A

Non-biological- 35mg/sq. m/year

Biological- 140-700mg/sq. m/year

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40
Q

Phosphorus Cycle: including natural reservoir of phosphorus and its biological use; Main natural reactions involved in cycling; difference from other cycles?

A
  • •Phosphorus is Major Constituent of biological membranes, nuclei acids, cellular energy transfer systems (ATP)
  • •its Major resource is from Rocks from where it is withered in small amounts by erosion and added to soil. Then it is taken up by plants and from plants enter herbivores and carnivores. The excretions of organisms and detritus is then decomposed by Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (Pantoea Agglomerans, Microbacterium laevaniforams) releasing phosphorus as a mineral.
  • •there is no cycling of phosphorus in Respiration.
41
Q

What are the 3 main ways that bring the minerals from the sea back to land?

Explain..

A
  1. Food Chains
  2. Sea Sprays
  3. Geological Upheavals

Sea spray refers to aerosol particles that are formed directly from the ocean, mostly by ejection into the atmosphere by bursting bubbles at the air-sea interface.

42
Q

Sulphur Cycle?

A
  • •Sulphur is a main component of certain proteins, vitamins and enzymes.
  • •main source- elemental form, rocks, water, soil.
  • •producers absorb them from soil and incorporates it in proteins. Animals get organic sulphur from plants and also from water. Bacteria and fungi decompose detritus to form sulphate from organic sulphur and mixed with soil for reuse by producers.
  • •Sulphide (harmful to all organisms) is formed by some bacteria from organic sulphur in anaerobic conditions. Some bacteria (Beggiatoa, Thiobaccilus thiooxidans) and fungi (Penicillium, Neurospora) oxidises this harmful sulphide into sulphates.
  • •Sulphates can be converted in Hydrogen Sulphide by bacteria (Aerobacter, Desulphovibrio) which escapes into air, where it gets oxidised in sulphur dioxide. Sulphur dioxide/trioxide are also released into air by burning fossil fuels. These come down again through rain.
  • •Withering of rocks also produces sulphur which can soak into oil or get eroded by rivers into the sea where it may get locked up into sedimentary rocks.
43
Q

Site some examples of man induced alien specie invasion in an ecosystem. Indian examples too.

A
  1. Nile Perch introduced in lake Victoria of East Africa led to extinction of around 200 indigenous species of Cichlid fish
  2. Carrot grass/gajar ghan- is a fast growing American weed which came with wheat imports and a potent allergen of respiratory system of humans.
  3. Lanata camara- American weed which is toxic to livestock and makes the agricultural production low due to its density.
  4. Water hyacinths (Eicchornia)- a water floating plant highly dense and can limit the amount of sunlight received underwater.
  5. African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)- introduced for aquaculture purposes is danger to indigenous fishes.
44
Q

Sight the recent biotechnology all developments in Rice and from where they are taken?

A
  1. Rice cultivation was threatened by the weed named brown plant hopper (Nilaparvate lugens). A weed resistant gene was extracted from a old rice specie from Kerela solved the problem.
  2. The rice grown in Asia has been made resistant to main four diseases by using genes from an Indian variety of rice named Oryza nivara. The diseases were Bacterial leaf streak, foot rot, grain rot, Pecky rice/Grishma.
45
Q

What is carbon sink and carbon sequestration?

A

Carbon sink is a natural or artificial reservoir that accumulates and stores some carbon-containing chemical compound for an indefinite period.
The process by which carbon sinks remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere is known as carbon sequestration.

46
Q

Which was the first organism that originated on earth?

A 
All prokaryotes (unicellular) were the first ones to evolve on earth. 
All prokaryotes belong to Monera Kingdom
47
Q

What are Archaebacteria?

A

They are the very first organism to have inhabited the earth around 3600 million years ago. Only they could manage to survive the harsh conditions.
This they are synonymous with the term the “living fossils”.

48
Q

Examples of genetically engineered bacteria used in various fields.

A
  1. Enzyme named Renin is produced and used commercially for curdling of milk.
49
Q

What is molecular scissor and molecular gum?

A

The enzyme named Restriction Endonuclease, obtained from bacteria has a property of cutting each strand of DNA molecule in such a way that the end at the site of the cut is sticky. Thus enzyme is called molecular scissors.

The sticky end is then used for pasting the sticky end of some different DNA strand. The process is called gene splicing. This is done by an enzyme known as N-Ligases or Molecular Gum, also obtained from bacteria.

50
Q

How is organic farming done and why?

Main organisms used?

A
  • •the use of some living organisms for soil enrichment by making use of their natural and inherent biological properties is called as organic farming.
  • •natural way and could achieve high production levels without the use of chemicals, thus earning higher profits for farmers and protects the environment too.
  • •some biofertilizers in use are: Azolla, an aquatic fern, BGA (Cyanobacteria), earthworm for vermicomposting.
51
Q

What is Nostoc commune?

A

It is a Cyanobacteria that grows on soil. After rains, the glisten and swell up. Thus are called fallen stars.
In China and Japan, it is consumed as a vegetable and cocked with rice.

52
Q

All cereals are deficient in which amino acid?

A

Essential Amino acid- Lysine

Present in a fungi - Mushrooms (Agaricus bisporos)

53
Q

How did the word “Enzyme” evolve?

A
  • •Early 19th century- Swedish chemist Jon Berzelius first discovered that potatoes has a chemical in them that acted as catalysts.
  • •1878- Frederick Willheim Kuhne referred to those chemicals present in Yeast as Ferments.
  • •1903- Eduard Buckner isolated the chemical responsible for fermentation and called it Zymase. This gave rise to a new offshoot to biology called Enzymology or Zymology.
54
Q

Name the smallest gymnosperm? Why is it important?

A

Pinus Zamia
A fungi named mycorrhiza lives in the roots of this plant in a symbiotic system. The fungi gets all its nutrition from the plant and in return the fungi absorbs phosphorus from the soil and passes it to the plant.

55
Q

Which was the first organism that originated on earth?

A 
All prokaryotes (unicellular) were the first ones to evolve on earth. 
All prokaryotes belong to Monera Kingdom
56
Q

What are Archaebacteria?

A

They are the very first organism to have inhabited the earth around 3600 million years ago. Only they could manage to survive the harsh conditions.
This they are synonymous with the term the “living fossils”.

57
Q

Examples of genetically engineered bacteria used in various fields.

A
  1. Enzyme named Renin is produced and used commercially for curdling of milk.
58
Q

What is molecular scissor and molecular gum?

A

The enzyme named Restriction Endonuclease, obtained from bacteria has a property of cutting each strand of DNA molecule in such a way that the end at the site of the cut is sticky. Thus enzyme is called molecular scissors.

The sticky end is then used for pasting the sticky end of some different DNA strand. The process is called gene splicing. This is done by an enzyme known as N-Ligases or Molecular Gum, also obtained from bacteria.

59
Q

How is organic farming done and why?

Main organisms used?

A
  • •the use of some living organisms for soil enrichment by making use of their natural and inherent biological properties is called as organic farming.
  • •natural way and could achieve high production levels without the use of chemicals, thus earning higher profits for farmers and protects the environment too.
  • •some biofertilizers in use are: Azolla, an aquatic fern, BGA (Cyanobacteria), earthworm for vermicomposting.
60
Q

What is Nostoc commune?

A

It is a Cyanobacteria that grows on soil. After rains, the glisten and swell up. Thus are called fallen stars.
In China and Japan, it is consumed as a vegetable and cocked with rice.

61
Q

All cereals are deficient in which amino acid?

A

Essential Amino acid- Lysine

Present in a fungi - Mushrooms (Agaricus bisporos)

62
Q

How did the word “Enzyme” evolve?

A
  • •Early 19th century- Swedish chemist Jon Berzelius first discovered that potatoes has a chemical in them that acted as catalysts.
  • •1878- Frederick Willheim Kuhne referred to those chemicals present in Yeast as Ferments.
  • •1903- Eduard Buckner isolated the chemical responsible for fermentation and called it Zymase. This gave rise to a new offshoot to biology called Enzymology or Zymology.
63
Q
  • •Why is the fungi Neospora important in biotechnology?
  • •What is the tag line related to it and what is it called?
  • •Name the scientists who researched on it and name the two species of fungi which were used as test subjects for experiment?
A
  • •Neospora (red bread mould) is the common fungus that could be seen on moist bread in pink colour. It was extensively used in Biochemical Genetics (or Neospora Genetics). Thus it is named as the “Drosophila of Plant Kingdom” and the famous tag line was given “One gene, one enzyme”.
  • •Beadle and Tatum conducted the first experiments in genetic researches on two species of fungi named- N.Crassa and N.Tetrasperma.
64
Q

Phytoremediation?

A

The role of flora in cutting down of increasingly swelling amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is called phytoremediation.

65
Q

Name the first anitibiotic from bacteria and fungi? Who got Noble Prize?
When were antibiotics mass used/produced for the first time?

A

Streptomycin from streptomyces griseus bacteria in 1944 by Walksman.
awarded Noble prize in 1952

The very first antibiotic to be discovered from Fungus was from Penicillium notatum by Alexander Flehming in 1929. Fleming, Florey, Chain got the noble prize in 1945.

Ernest Chain and Howard Florey used antibiotics on the wounded soldiers and people during WW-II.

65
Q

What is a Citizen Suit?

A

In the United States, a citizen suit is a lawsuit by a private citizen to enforce a statute. Citizen suits are particularly common in the field of environmental law.

66
Q

Categorise all the animals under schedules according to the Wildlife Protection Act?

A
  1. Schedule I- cannot be hunted throughout India
  2. Schedule II- hunting species those require special protection
  3. Schedule III- hunting of big game species
  4. Schedule IV- hunting of small game species
  5. Schedule V- vermin that could be hunted without any restrictions
67
Q

What is Wetland Convention (Ramsar Convention), 1975?

A

It is an international convention that provides the framework for international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetland habitats. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) serves as the Depositary for the Convention, and its secretariat, the Ramsar Bureau, is in Gland, Switzerland. India became signatory to this convention on in 1981.
Aim- to halt the loss of wetlands and to ensure the conservation of fauna and flora and their ecological processes. Obligations of parties include:
• designating one or more wetlands for inclusion in the list of Wetlands of International Importance (e.g. six Ramsar wetlands in India).
• promoting wise judicious use of wetlands, including mangroves.
• promoting conservation of wetlands through establishment of nature reserves.
• irrespective of their listing under the Convention and managing wetlands for the benefit of water fowl (all birds).
• promoting training in the field of wetland research, managing and warding.
• consulting with other parties about implementation of the convention, especially with regard to trans frontier wetlands, shared water systems, shared species, and development of wetland projects.

68
Q

Aims and functions of Ministry of Environment and Forests?

A
  • •implementation and co-ordination of various programmes and policies in India.
  • •survey and conservation of flora and fauna.
  • •also acts as a nodal agency for United Nations Environmental Programme.
  • • controls pollution, degradation of forests and erosion.
  • •does environmental impact assessment and regeneration programmes.
69
Q

Explain the functions of Central Pollution Control Board?

A
  • It was established under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. In 1981 it’s ambit was increased by passing the Air Act, 1981. Later with the passing of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, it was entrusted with the function of serving as field operatives and providing technical services to MOEF. The umbrella Act, EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) 1986 added strength to all preceding provisions. Special stipulations were made for industrial, vehicular and noise pollution control in the country. States cannot have their own environmental laws but follow the policies given by centre subject to regional variations.
  • Air Quality Monitoring- is an important part of quality management. The National Ambient Air Quality Programme (NAAQM) was started with aim to determine the present status of air quality, for controlling and regulating emission of air pollutants from industries and other sources to meet the air quality standards. It also provides background air quality data needed for setting of industries and town planning.
  • The scheme of labeling of Environment Friendly Products is going on for household and other consumer products to meet certain environment criteria along with the quality requirements of Indian Standards. The scheme is known as Ecomark Scheme of India.
  • Functions of CBPC at the national level:-
    • Advise the Central Government on any matter concerning prevention and control of water and air pollution and improvement of the quality of air.
    • Plan and execute nation-wide programme for the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution:
    • Co-ordinate the activities of the State Board and resolve disputes among them;
    • Provide technical assistance and guidance to the State Boards, carry out and sponsor investigation and research relating to problems of water and air pollution, and for their prevention, control or abatement;
    • Plan and organise training of persons engaged in programme on the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;
    • Organise through mass media, a comprehensive mass awareness programme on the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;
70
Q

What is Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL)?

A

The IBWL is the apex advisory body in the field of Wildlife Conservation in the country and is headed by the Honorable Prime Minister of India.
The IBWL has been reconstituted w.e.f. 7.12.2001. The XXI meeting of the IBWL was held on 21.1.2002 under the Chairmanship of the Honorable Prime Minister of India at New Delhi.

71
Q

Who was given World Food Prize of 2014?

A

Dr. Sanjaya Rajaram won the World Food Prize of 2014 for his scientific research that led to a prodigious increase in world wheat production – by more than 200 million tons – building upon the successes of the Green Revolution, thus alleviating world hunger.
Dr. Rajaram succeeded Dr. Norman Borlaug in leading CIMMYT’s wheat breeding program, and developed an astounding 480 wheat varieties that have been released in 51 countries on six continents and have been widely adopted by small- and large-scale farmers alike. Dr. Rajaram’s crossing of winter and spring wheat varieties, which were distinct gene pools that had been isolated from one another for hundreds of years, led to his development of plants that have higher yields and dependability under a wide range of environments around the world.

72
Q

Name the 2 persons who started the World Wildlife Fund?

A

Julian HuXley

Max Nicholeson

73
Q

Name the internationally agreed protocols for reducing the ozone depleting substances?

Sight some ODS.

A

Kyoto Protocol- first commitment to reduce ozone depleting substances in 2008-2012.

Montreal Protocol- second commitment for reducing ozone depleting substances such as CFCs and halons (used in refrigerators, spray cans, insulation foams, fire suppressors). The reduction target is five times higher than the Kyoto protocol.

ODS:-

  1. HCFCs
  2. HFCs (does not come under Montreal protocol, but under GHGs covered under UNFCCC; also used as substitute for CFCs and HCFCs)
  3. CFCs
  4. Methyl bromide
74
Q

Natural absorbers of Carbon Dioxide in Sunderbans?

A 
Mangroves
Marsh grasses
Phytoplankton 
Molluscs 
Coastal vegetation
75
Q

What is Blue Carbon?

A

Carbon stored in plants and trees.

76
Q

Which species of flora is considered to be in an alarming condition?

A

Byne, Keora and Genwa.

Most alarming- Byne specie (in central part).

•Problem- The mangroves grow on fresh water, but because of lack of fresh water the height of mangroves has come down substantially, reducing its capacity to absorb carbons.
Owing to deposition of silt at the confluence of the Vidyadhari and Matla rivers, fresh water is unable to enter the Matla river, giving rise to its salinity. Shrimp farming, mushrooming of brick kiln industry and deforestation have added to the reduced growth of Byne mangroves.
The situation was better in the eastern Sunderbans where there was less human incursion as well as in the western part which was fed by a regular supply of fresh water from the Hooghly river.
•Solution- Dredging of the channel and afforestation, checking shrimp farming.

77
Q

Explain the State Government initiative to make Arunachal an organic state.

OR

State Soil Health System

A

To make Arunachal Pradesh a hundred per cent organic state, the State government decided to launch “State Soil Health Mission”.
Details of the programme:
-envisages proper documentation of soil health and preparation of soil map besides, distribution of Soil Health Cards to farmers so that they are guided for scientific nutrient managements.
-aims to check overuse of fertilizers and its adverse effect and help in increase of crop production through its sustainable soil management programme paving way for organic farming.

78
Q

How and by which entity the Living Planet Report is created and published as given by the Nagoya Protocol?

A

The Living Planet Report contains an overview of impact of human activity on the nature. The two yearly reports are produced by the WWF in collaboration with Zoological Society of London based on the information extracted from the Living Planet Index (also created by same agency).
The Living Planet Index (LPI) is an indicator of the state of global biological diversity, based on trends in vertebrate populations of species from around the world.

79
Q

State the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

A
  1. Addressing the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society.
  2. Reducible the direct pressures on biodiversity and promoting sustainable use.
  3. Improve the status of present biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystem, species and genetic diversity.
  4. Enhancing the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services.
  5. Enhancing implementation though participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building.
80
Q

Name the departments and authorities related to biodiversity conservation in India. Also their various divisions and the international conventions they handle.

A

••Wildlife Devision of MoEF- handles CITES, CMS and UNESCO-WHC.

  • •Conservation and Survey Division-I (under authority of National Biodiversity Authority) handles Ramsar Convention.
  • •Conservation and Survey Division-III deals with CBD.
81
Q

What is Thermal Pollution and how does it threats the ecosystem?

A

•Thermal pollution is the degradation of water quality by any process that changes ambient water temperature. Various sources are-
1. When water used as a coolant in power plants and industrial manufacturers is returned to the natural environment at a higher temperature, the change in temperature decreases oxygen supply and affects ecosystem composition.
2. Urban runoff–stormwater discharged to surface waters from roads and parking lots–can also be a source of elevated water temperatures.
•Ecological effects:-
1. Elevated temperature typically decreases the level of dissolved oxygen of water. This can harm aquatic animals such as fish, amphibians and other aquatic organisms.
2. Thermal pollution may also increase the metabolic rate of aquatic animals, as enzyme activity, resulting in these organisms consuming more food in a shorter time than if their environment were not changed. An increased metabolic rate may result in fewer resources; the more adapted organisms moving in may have an advantage over organisms that are not used to the warmer temperature. As a result, food chains of the old and new environments may be compromised. Some fish species will avoid stream segments or coastal areas adjacent to a thermal discharge. Biodiversity can be decreased as a result.
3. High temperature limits oxygen dispersion into deeper waters, contributing to anaerobic conditions. This can lead to increased bacteria levels when there is ample food supply. Many aquatic species will fail to reproduce at elevated temperatures.

82
Q

Carbon monoxide?

A

Causes difficulty in breathing, irritation of mucous membranes, combines with haemoglobin leading to decrease in its oxygen carrying capacity.

Sources- smoking

83
Q

Benzopyrene?

A

It is a fatal hydrocarbon which causes lung cancers.

Source- incomplete combustion

84
Q

Nitrous Oxide and Hydrocarbons?

A

When they are mixed in atmosphere, in the presence of UV light forms ozone and other complex organic gases. This causes photochemical smog, watering of eyes, respiratory distress.

85
Q

What is Sulphur Dioxide and how it can be prevented?

A

It is present in the vehicular emissions and industrial processes and is highly injurious to humans. This can be reduced by-

  • by removing sulphur after burning.
  • by desuphurisation of fuel before its use. In
86
Q

What are lichens?

A
  • They are composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria (or both) living among filaments of a fungus in a mutually beneficial relationship (symbiotic relationship). The combined life form has properties that are very different from the properties of its component organisms.
  • They aren’t plants but may have tiny, leafless branches (fruticose), flat leaf-like structures (foliose), flakes that lie on the surface like peeling paint (crustose) or other growth forms.
  • Macro Lichen is a lichen that is either bush-like or leafy; all other lichens are termed Micro Lichens. Here, “macro” and “micro” do not refer to size, but to the growth form.
  • Common names for lichens may contain the word “moss” (e.g., “Reindeer moss”, “Iceland moss”), and lichens may superficially look like and grow with mosses, but lichens are not related to mosses or any plant. Lichens do not have roots that absorb water and nutrients as plants do but like plants they produce their own food by photosynthesis using sunlight energy, from carbon dioxide, water and minerals in their environment. When they grow on plants, they do not live as parasites and only use the plants as a substrate (enzyme).
87
Q

What are mosses?

A

Mosses are small flowerless plants (Bryophytes) that usually grow in dense green clumps or mats, in damp or shady locations. The individual plants are usually composed of simple, one-cell thick leaves, covering a thin stem that supports them but does not conduct water and nutrients (nonvascular).

88
Q

Name the various plant types under the phylum Bryophytes?

A
  1. Lichens
  2. Hornworts
  3. Liverworts
89
Q

What are Hornworts?

A
  • Hornworts are a group of bryophytes, or non-vascular plants, comprising the division Anthocerotophyta. The common name refers to the elongated horn-like structure, which is the sporophyte. The flattened, green plant body of a hornwort is the gametophyte plant.
  • Hornworts may be found worldwide, though they tend to grow only in places that are damp or humid. Some species grow in large numbers as tiny weeds in the soil of gardens and cultivated fields. Large tropical and sub-tropical species of Dendroceros may be found growing on the bark of trees.
90
Q

What are Liverworts or Hepatics?

A
  • The Marchantiophyta are a division of non-vascular bryophyte land plants commonly referred to as hepatics or liverworts. Like other bryophytes, they have a gametophyte-dominant life cycle, in which cells of the plant carry only a single set of genetic information.
  • Some species grow as a flattened leafless thallus, but most species are leafy with a form very much like a flattened moss.
91
Q

What is Ethnomycology or Ethnobotany or Ethnobiology?

A

A branch of science that deals with the study of importance of fungi in human sociology.

92
Q

Name the Indian private firms that have been included in A-List of Green Firms?

A 
Essar Oil
Tech Mahindra
Wipro 
Tata Consultancy Services
Larsen Toubru
93
Q

Name the city that has started Car-Free Tuesday?

A

Gurgaon

94
Q

Reparian Zone; Reparian Vegetation; its importance

A

A riparian zone or riparian area is the interface between land and a river or stream.
Plant habitats and communities along the river margins and banks are called riparian vegetation, characterized by hydrophilic plants. Riparian zones are important in ecology, environmental management, and civil engineering because of their role in soil conservation, their habitat biodiversity, and the influence they have on fauna and aquatic ecosystems, including grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, or even non-vegetative areas.

95
Q

LEED

A

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a certification program focused primarily on new, commercial-building projects and based upon a points system. The more points you earn, the higher your rating. Acquisition of LEED status can require significantly higher upfront expenditure on the part of a corporation or builder, but also may yield massive cost savings over time in the form of state and local tax breaks and higher rents as well as other perks.

96
Q

Giant African Snail

A

Considered one of 100 most invasive species in the world, Giant African Snails (Achatina fulica) feed on several plants. They destroy almost all crops and can live in a dormant state for 2-3 years. The snails are an intermediate host of the rat lung worm that causes oesinophilic meningitis in children below five years of age.
These large molluscs living close to humans and adult specimens can be 5-6 inches long and weigh 200-300 gm. A single snail lays about 200-500 eggs and 80 per cent of these survive.
The snail requires large amounts of calcium to maintain its big shell. As the soil in Kerala is poor in calcium content, the species utilise the calcium in compound walls and buildings, thus damaging them.
Metaldehyde pesticide could be used to kill them.

97
Q

Biodiversity in India

A

23% of total flowering species found in India are endemic.
Most species are found in western ghats and then in eastern Himalayas. In south most are found in Tamil Nadu>Kerala>Maharashtra

98
Q

Newly discovered specie of Pika.

A

Found in Sikkim Himalayas, a mammal belonging to rabbit and hare family; that doesn’t hibernate is a keystone specie of Himalayan ecosystem.

IAS (11 decks)

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