Biogeography & Ecosystems

1. Terrace cultivation: This is a soil conservation technique used on sloping land. It involves creating leveled steps or terraces to reduce water runoff and soil erosion. 2. Deforestation: When trees are cut down, the soil loses the protection provided by their roots. This exposes the soil to wind and rain, making it more susceptible to erosion. Deforestation is a major driver of soil erosion in India. 3. Tropical climate: While heavy rainfall in tropical regions can contribute to soil erosion, it's not the sole factor. Deforestation and poor land management practices exacerbate the issue. Thus, the correct answer is '2 only'.

Statement 1 is correct: Prevention of soil runoff IWDP promotes practices that reduce soil erosion, protecting valuable topsoil and improving land fertility. Statement 2 is incorrect: Linking perennial and seasonal rivers While water resource management is a part of IWDP, it doesn't focus on physically linking separate river systems. The National River Linking Project is a separate project to interlink rivers. Statement 3 is correct: Rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge IWDP encourages rainwater conservation techniques, allowing more water to infiltrate the ground and replenish aquifers. Statement 4 is correct: Regeneration of natural vegetation IWDP often involves planting trees and promoting sustainable land management practices, leading to increased vegetation cover.

Major reef formations in the Indian Seas occur in:
- Gulf of Mannar, - Palk Bay, - Gulf of Kutch, - the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and - Lakshadweep. Coral reefs are marine ecosystems and cannot exist in the Sundarbans, which is a mangrove forest in the Ganges Delta and a brackish water ecosystem.

Pair 1 is correct: The Harike Wetland is formed at the confluence of the Beas and Sutlej rivers in Punjab, India. Pair 2 is incorrect: Keoladeo Ghana National Park, also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is not located at the confluence of these rivers. It's a man-made wetland in Rajasthan, located on the confluence of River Gambhir and River Banganga. Pair 3 is incorrect: Kolleru Lake is a freshwater lake in Andhra Pradesh and is not located where the Musi and Krishna rivers meet. It lies between the Krishna and Godavari deltas. Thus, only pair one is correctly matched.

The Gond and Korku tribes, residing in Madhya Pradesh's Betul and Harda districts, celebrate a festival called "Hari Jiroti" during the monsoon season. This month-long festival involves planting saplings of fruit-bearing trees, reflecting their deep connection to nature and sustainable practices.

Statement 1 is correct: Volcanic action releases carbon dioxide trapped within the Earth's crust and mantle. Statement 2 is correct: Respiration releases carbon dioxide as a byproduct of cellular respiration in living organisms. Statement 3 is incorrect: Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Plants and other photosynthetic organisms use carbon dioxide during photosynthesis to create organic molecules. Statement 4 is correct: The decay of organic matter releases carbon dioxide as decomposers break down dead plants and animals. This process returns carbon stored in organic matter back to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

There are concerns about the use of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) for two main reasons: Statement 1 is correct: They are highly resistant to degradation. BFRs break down very slowly in the environment, meaning they can persist for a long time. This can lead to them accumulating in the environment over time. Statement 2 is correct: BFRs can accumulate in the bodies of humans and animals (Bioaccumulation). This happens because they are fat-soluble, meaning they are stored in fatty tissues.

Statement 1 is correct: At such high temperatures, tipping points like widespread forest dieback and permafrost thaw would release vast amounts of stored carbon, causing the land to emit more carbon than it absorbs. Statement 2 is correct: Scientific consensus indicates that even at 2°C of warming, over 99% of coral reefs are expected to be lost. A 3°C rise would ensure their catastrophic and widespread collapse. Statement 3 is incorrect: The word "All" is an extreme overstatement. While many wetlands would be severely damaged or lost, it is not scientifically plausible that every single one would disappear permanently. Statement 4 is incorrect: The term "anywhere" is an exaggeration. While global food production would be devastated, cultivation would not become impossible everywhere; it might shift to new, higher-latitude regions.

In organisms called lichens, a chlorophyll-containing partner, which is an algae, and a fungus live together. Fungus provides shelter, water, and minerals to the algae. In return, the algae provides food which it prepares by photosynthesis.

Statement 1 is correct: This is a major threat. Dams fragment the river habitat, hinder migration patterns, and can disrupt prey availability for the dolphins. Statement 2 is incorrect: While competition might exist, it's not a cause of decline. A healthy river ecosystem can support both dolphins and crocodiles. Statement 3 is correct: This is a significant threat, as dolphins can get caught in fishing gear and drown. Statement 4 is correct: Runoff from agricultural lands can pollute rivers with pesticides and fertilizers. These pollutants can harm the dolphins' health and prey species. Thus 1,3, and 4 are the causes of the decline in the Ganga River Dolphins.