Genetic Diversity in Wildlife Conservation
Environment & Ecology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Understanding the biological principles behind conservation efforts is vital. Genetic diversity is a core concept in ecology and conservation biology, directly impacting the success or failure of species protection and management strategies.
Genetic diversity refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. It is crucial for the long-term survival and adaptability of populations, allowing them to cope with environmental changes, diseases, and other stressors. Low genetic diversity, often due to inbreeding in small, isolated populations, can lead to reduced fitness and increased vulnerability to extinction.
Facts & tables
- Importance
- Essential for species' resilience and adaptation to changing environments and diseases.
- Threats
- Small, isolated populations are prone to low genetic variation and inbreeding depression.
- Consequences
- Leads to reduced fertility, survival rates, increased susceptibility to diseases, and genetic load.
- Indicator
- Pseudo-melanism in Similipal tigers is linked to genetic isolation and reduced diversity.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Ecology and Environment |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Statement-based questions
- Variety of genes within a species.
- Crucial for adaptation and long-term survival.
- Threatened by small, isolated populations and inbreeding.
- Leads to reduced fitness and disease vulnerability.
- Translocation is a strategy to restore it.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2023 | Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2023 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2020 | Factual recall |
| 2020 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2018 | Factual recall |
| 2014 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
Timeline
-
Ecology and Environment
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2014
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2018
Factual recall
-
Prelims 2020
Factual recall
-
Prelims 2020
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2023
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Similipal’s black tigers are getting help
Genetic diversity is the variety of genes within a species, crucial for its survival and adaptation; its loss, often from inbreeding in isolated populations, makes species vulnerable to extinction.
See also
Past papers
2014–2023 · 8 questions
In the news
Similipal’s black tigers are getting help
Genetic diversity is the variety of genes within a species, crucial for its survival and adaptation; its loss, often from inbreeding in isolated populations, makes species vulnerable to extinction.
Try these PYQs
Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous?
Southern swamp deer/ hard ground swamp deer, a unique sub-species of Barasingha, also known as the Indian swamp deer, is a herbivorous species that feeds exclusively on grasses (graminivorous) and is well adapted to is adapted to hard ground in open sal forest. Kanha National Park is well-known for the conservation of hard ground swamp deer. Conservation efforts by the park have helped revive its numbers from near extinction. Therefore, the correct answer is Kanha National Park.
Consider the following statements :
1. In India, the Biodiversity Management committees are key to the realization of the objectives of Nagoya Protocol.
2. The Biodiversity Management committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
* The Nagoya Protocol is an international agreement that addresses the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources. It is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and specifically focuses on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from their utilisation. * Statement 1 is correct: In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) are indeed key to the realisation of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol. The Nagoya Protocol aims at sharing the benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way. BMCs play a crucial role in this by ensuring that local communities have a say in the access to and use of these resources. * Statement 2 is correct: The Biodiversity Management Committees also have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing. They have the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within their jurisdiction. This is part of their role in managing and conserving biodiversity, and ensuring that the benefits derived from the use of these resources are shared equitably. Therefore, both statements are correct.
Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat?
1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Gangotri National Park
3. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Manas National Park
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Askot Wildlife Sanctuary (Uttarakhand): Musk deer are found in the high altitudes of the Himalayan region. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Uttarakhand, is specifically known for conserving the musk deer and its habitat. Gangotri National Park (Uttarakhand): Gangotri National Park, also located in Uttarakhand, is another high altitude region where musk deer can be found. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh): This sanctuary primarily consists of terai grasslands and does not provide a suitable habitat for musk deer. Manas National Park (Assam): This park is located in the northeastern plains and is home to species like tigers, rhinos, and elephants, but not musk deer. Therefore, the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat are Askot Wildlife Sanctuary and Gangotri National Park.
Invasive species Specialist Group' (that develops Global Invasive Species Database) belongs to which one of the following organizations?
The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) is a global network of scientific and policy experts on invasive species, organised under the auspices of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Hence, option A is the correct answer.
Consider the following pairs
1. Dampa Tiger Reserve: Mizoram
2. Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary: Sikkim
3. Saramati Peak: Nagaland
Which of the above pairs is /are correctly matched?
Pair 1 is correctly matched: Dampa Tiger Reserve or Dampha Tiger Reserve, the largest wildlife sanctuary in Mizoram, India, was notified in 1985 and declared a Tiger Reserve in 1994. Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary is in Tripura. Pair 3 correctly matched: Mt. Saramati is the highest peak in Nagaland.
Show 3 more PYQs
Consider the following statements:
Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve'
1. The Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes the governing authority of such forest
2. hunting is not allowed in such area
3. people of such area are allowed to collect non-timber forest produce
4. people of such area are allowed traditional agricultural practices
How many of the above statements are correct?
* Community reserves in India are terms denoting protected areas of India which typically act as buffer zones to or connectors and migration corridors between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests of India. * Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the Section 36 D of the WildLife Protection Act (WLPA): The State Government shall constitute a Community Reserve management committee, which shall be the authority responsible for conserving, maintaining and managing the community reserve. The committee shall elect a Chairman who shall also be the Honorary WildLife Warden on the community reserve. * Statement 2 is correct: After a forest has been made into a community reserve, people are not allowed to hunt there, thus hunting is prohibited in community reserves. * Statement 3 is correct: People of such areas are allowed to collect non-timber forest produce. * Statement 4 is incorrect: After a forest has been made into a community reserve, people are also not allowed to use it for agricultural practices such as shifting (jhum) cultivation.
In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located?
The Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Arunachal Pradesh, is part of the Kameng Elephant Reserve and is contiguous with the Pakke Tiger Reserve. It is known for its rich biodiversity and dense forests, making it a critical habitat for various wildlife species. The Bhareli (Pakke) and Bamadi rivers flow through the sanctuary, supporting its diverse ecosystem. Several indigenous tribes, including the Nyishi and Apatani, reside in the region, coexisting with the forest and its resources.
With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements:
1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government.
2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled for equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside.
3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: As per the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, all wild animals in protected areas are the property of the government. But, Section 42 of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 deals with Certificates of Ownership, empowering the Chief Wildlife Warden to issue these for lawfully possessed wild animals or animal articles (trophies, etc.) with a person. This ensures traceability, allowing identification marking and conditions for housing captive animals, and requires owners to surrender such items if no longer desired, with cancellation of the certificate. Statement 2 is correct: The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for the protection of wild animals, whether they are found inside or outside the designated protected areas. Statement 3 is incorrect: As per the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the capture or killing of a protected wild animal is strictly prohibited, even if it is perceived to be a danger to human life. Special permission is required from the authorities for any such action.