Under theme: Geography
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Associate 'Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests' with regions of consistently high temperature and rainfall.
Associate specific National Parks with their unique ecological features, like Valley of Flowers with alpine m…
What is blue carbon?
"Blue Carbon" designates carbon that is fixed via coastal ocean ecosystems , rather than traditional land ecosystems, like forests . Although the ocean's vegetated habitats cover less than 0.5% of the seabed, they are responsible for more than 50%, and potentially up to 70%, of all carbon storage in ocean sediments.
“Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees”. This is the most likely description of
Tropical Rainforest: - Hot and moist with year-round rainfall.
- Dense canopy with multiple layers.
- Rapid decomposition due to high temperature and humidity, leaving soil bare.
- Vegetation includes climbers and epiphytes growing on tree branches.
- Different from coniferous, dry deciduous, and mangrove forests. - Species found in these forests include rosewood, mahogony, aini, ebony, etc.
- Distribution in India: mainly found in the Western Ghats, the Northeastern states, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and parts of Odisha's Mahanadi Delta. Coniferous Forest: - Found in cold, high-altitude regions.
- Dominated by evergreen trees like pine, fir, spruce, and cedar.
- Needle-like leaves reduce water loss.
- Supports animals like snow leopards, musk deer, and Himalayan black bears.
- Distribution in India: Found in the Himalayan region (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim). Dry Deciduous Forest: - Trees shed leaves in dry seasons to conserve water.
- Dominated by species like teak, sal, neem, and tendu.
- Soil is fertile, making it good for agriculture.
- Home to tigers, deer, elephants, and langurs.
- Distribution in India: Found in central and western India (Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana). Mangrove Forest: - Grow in coastal, saltwater regions.
- Trees have stilt roots to survive in waterlogged conditions.
- Provide breeding grounds for fish and protect coastlines from erosion.
- Home to species like the Royal Bengal Tiger, saltwater crocodiles, and various birds.
- Distribution in India: Found in coastal regions.
The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions?
1. Burrowing animals and termites
2. Fire
3. Grazing herbivores
4. Seasonal rainfall
5. Soil properties
Select the correct answer using the codes given below
The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. These conditions include fire, grazing herbivores, and seasonal rainfall. 2. Fire is a common occurrence in savannahs and it helps to maintain the grassland by burning out tree saplings. 3. Grazing herbivores also help to maintain the grassland by eating young tree saplings before they can grow into mature trees. 4. Seasonal rainfall also plays a role as it affects the growth of trees and grasses. 1. Burrowing animals and termites, while they do have an impact on the ecosystem, are not the primary factors controlling forest development. 5. Similarly, soil properties can affect the types of vegetation that can grow, but they are not the primary factors controlling forest development in savannahs. Therefore, the correct answer is (c) 2, 3 and 4. Savannah Climate:
- It is a transitional climate between equatorial rainforests and hot deserts. - It has wet and dry seasons like the monsoon climate but with much less rainfall. Unlike the monsoon climate, it lacks a distinct rainy season. - It has only two seasons—winter and summer, with rain occurring in summer. The savanna landscape features tall grasses and scattered short trees. - The savanna is called the ‘big game country’ because thousands of animals are hunted or trapped annually by people worldwide.
162 min · −33% negative · explanations after submit
Consider the following statements:
1. The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters.
2. India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration in international waters.
3. ‘Rare earth minerals’ are present on seafloor in international waters.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The International Seabed Authority (ISA) regulates seabed mining in international waters. The Global Ocean Commission was a 2013-2016 international initiative of leaders aiming to reverse ocean degradation, focusing on the high seas. Statement 2 is Correct: Like other countries, India can apply for and receive exploration licenses from the ISA for areas beyond national jurisdictions. Since 2014, India has obtained licences from the International Sea Bed Authority for seabed mineral exploration in international waters. Statement 3 is Correct: Rare earth minerals are among the potential resources found on the seabed in international waters, although their commercial viability is still being explored. Therefore, the correct statements are 2 and 3 only.
Which of the following have species that can establish symbiotic relationship with other organisms?
1. Cnidarians
2. Fungi
3. Protozoa
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
* Cnidarians: Many cnidarian species, such as corals, develop symbiotic relationships with single-celled algae called zooxanthellae. This symbiosis is crucial for the survival and growth of coral reefs. * Fungi: Fungi are known to form various symbiotic relationships with other organisms, including * Mycorrhizal associations with plant roots, where the fungus helps the plant absorb nutrients in exchange for carbohydrates. * Lichens are a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an algae or cyanobacteria. * Protozoa: Some protozoa living in the digestive tracts of termites and ruminant animals, helping them break down cellulose. Therefore, all three groups - cnidarians, fungi, and protozoa - have species that can form symbiotic relationships with other organisms.
In the nature, which of the following is/are most likely to be found surviving on a surface without soil?
1. Fern
2. Litchen
3. Moss
4. Mushroom
Select the correct answer using the code given below
Fern: * Ferns typically require soil and moisture to grow, as they rely on water-conducting tissues and need a substrate to anchor their roots. Lichen:
* Lichens are a symbiotic association between a fungus and an algae or cyanobacteria. * Lichens are well-adapted to survive on surfaces without soil, such as rocks, tree bark, and even bare ground, as they can obtain their nutrients and moisture directly from the air and precipitation. * Lichens are sensitive to airborne pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (O3), and heavy metals (like lead and mercury).
Sulfur dioxide, for instance, causes chlorosis (yellowing) and necrosis (cell death) in lichen thalli. This sensitivity makes lichens an effective indicator of air quality. Moss:
* Mosses are non-vascular plants that can grow on surfaces without soil, such as rocks, tree trunks, and even roofs. * Mosses have specialised structures that allow them to absorb water and nutrients directly from the environment. Mushrooms:
* Mushrooms are the reproductive structures of fungi, and they typically require a substrate, such as decaying organic matter, to grow. Mushrooms are not able to directly survive on a surface without soil or a nutrient-rich medium. Therefore, among the given options, lichens and mosses are the most likely to be found surviving on a surface without soil in the natural environment.
162 min · −33% negative · explanations after submit
What is the use of biochar in farming?
1. Biochar can be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical farming.
2. When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms.
3. When biochar is a part of the growing medium, it enables the growing medium to retain water for longer time.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Biochar is a solid product obtained during the pyrolysis of biomass. It is a porous, carbon-rich material that has a wide range of uses, with soil improvement, remediation, and pollution control playing the most significant roles. In agriculture, biochar is primarily used to increase crop nutrition, plant growth, and soil fertility. Statement 1 is correct. Biochar can indeed be used as a part of the growing medium in vertical farming. It helps in improving the soil structure and fertility, thereby promoting plant growth. Statement 2 is correct. Biochar promotes the growth of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms. These microorganisms play a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle by converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use. Statement 3 is correct. Biochar also enables the growing medium to retain water for a longer time. Its porous nature allows it to hold onto water and nutrients, making them readily available for plant roots. Therefore, all three statements are correct.
In the context of India, which of the following is/are considered to be practice(s) of eco-friendly agriculture?
1. Crop diversification
2. Legume intensification
3. Tensiometer use
4. Vertical farming
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Eco-friendly agriculture refers to farming practices that are sustainable and cause minimal harm to the environment. Crop diversification is one such practice. It involves growing a variety of crops in the same area over different seasons. This method enhances soil health, reduces the need for excessive water and fertilizers, and boosts biodiversity in the ecosystem. By rotating crops, it also helps in preventing soil depletion and improves resilience against pests and diseases. Legume intensification is another eco-friendly practice. Legumes are known to improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere. This reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, making agriculture more sustainable. Tensiometer is a useful tool in efficient water management. It measures the water tension in soil, which helps in determining the availability of water for crops. By ensuring that water is used efficiently, it reduces waste and promotes sustainable water usage, making it an eco-friendly farming practice. Vertical farming involves growing crops in vertically stacked layers, often using advanced techniques like hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics, which do not require soil. While this method can increase production and reduce land usage, it requires high energy consumption and specialized technology. Hence, it is not widely considered as an eco-friendly practice. Therefore, the correct answer is A. 1, 2, and 3 only.
With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct?
1. It is spread over two districts.
2. There is no human habitation inside the Park.
3. It is one of the natural habitats of Great Indian Bustard.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is correct: Desert National Park is located in Rajasthan and is one of the largest national parks in India, covering an area of around 3,162 km². It represents the Thar Desert ecosystem, featuring sand dunes, rocky terrain, and sparse vegetation. The park is spread across Jaisalmer and Barmer districts of Rajasthan. Statement 2 is incorrect: Unlike some protected areas, human settlements exist within Desert National Park. Several villages and communities, including those engaged in livestock rearing, are located inside the park. Statement 3 is correct: The park is one of the last strongholds of the Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps), which is critically endangered. Conservation efforts, including captive breeding programs, are ongoing to protect this bird.
Therefore, the correct answer is that statements 1 and 3 are correct.
Which of the following are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve?
The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is a vital ecological hotspot located in the Western Ghats of southern India. It serves as a unique genetic reservoir of cultivated and wild plant species, including many rare, endemic, and medicinal plants. The biosphere reserve spans across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, covering diverse ecosystems from tropical forests to montane grasslands. It includes three wildlife sanctuaries Shendurney (Kerala), Peppara (Kerala) and Neyyar (Kerala), as well as the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu).