Flora & Fauna Dynamics

All of the listed factors - birds, dust blowing, rain, and wind blowing - can contribute to the spread of plant diseases Statement 1 is correct: Birds can act as vectors, carrying and spreading plant pathogens from one location to another through their feathers, feet, or droppings. Statement 2 is correct: Dust and soil particles blown by the wind can carry and spread plant diseases, especially fungal spores and bacterial cells. Statement 3 is correct: Rain can splash and disperse plant pathogens, such as fungi and bacteria, from the soil or infected plant parts to uninfected plants. Statement 4 is correct: Wind can transport and spread airborne plant pathogens, such as fungal spores and bacterial cells, over long distances.

Statement 1 is correct: Butterflies are vital pollinators for many flowering plants. A decline in their population can lead to reduced pollination success, affecting fruit and seed production. This, in turn, can disrupt plant communities that rely on butterflies for pollination, potentially impacting entire ecosystems. Statement 2 is incorrect: While some butterfly species may interact with fungi, a decline in butterfly populations is unlikely to cause a drastic increase in fungal infections on cultivated plants. Factors like humidity, temperature, plant health, and fungicide use play a far more significant role in the spread of fungal diseases than butterfly populations. Statement 3 is correct: Butterflies are an essential part of the food web, serving as prey for wasps, spiders, birds, and other insectivorous species. A sharp decline in butterfly populations could negatively impact these predators, disrupting the ecological balance and potentially leading to cascading effects on biodiversity.

An environment ministry's expert committee approved Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh as the second home for Asiatic lions found only in Gir National Park. However, the Gujarat government will not share lions unless 33 studies as mandated by the International Wildlife Watchdog IUCN is completed.

The first state in India to declare a state butterfly was Maharashtra. Maharashtra designated the Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor) as its state butterfly in 2015. It's a large, black colored butterfly with velvet wings and bright blue spots.

The great hornbill, also known as the concave-casqued hornbill, great Indian hornbill or great pied hornbill, is one of the larger members of the hornbill family. It occurs in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is predominantly frugivorous, but also preys on small mammals, reptiles and birds. The great hornbill is native to the forests of India, Bhutan, Nepal, mainland Southeast Asia and Sumatra. Its distribution is fragmented in the Western Ghats and in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Statement 1 is correct. Red Sanders, also known as Red Sandalwood or Pterocarpus santalinus, is indeed a tree species native to the southern Eastern Ghats mountain range of India. Statement 2 is incorrect. It is one of the most important trees in the tropical rainforest areas of South India. Red Sanders is not typically found in tropical rainforests. It grows in drier semi-arid regions of the Eastern Ghats.

Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have discovered a new species of banana, Musa indandamanensis, in the remote tropical rainforests of Little Andaman Island. This remarkable species stands out for its exceptional height, reaching up to 11 meters, nearly three times taller than common banana plants. Located 16 km inside the Krishna Nalah forest, this species is globally distinct due to its unique green flowers, an unusually large fruit bunch axis (lux) thrice the size of regular banana species, and cylindrical-shaped flowers instead of the typical conical form. Additionally, the fruit pulp is orange, differing from the usual white or yellow found in common bananas. This discovery adds significant value to botanical research and biodiversity conservation, highlighting the unique flora of the Andaman Islands.

Statement 1 is correct: The Dugong is a herbivorous marine animal. Dugongs are marine mammals that feed on seagrass meadows. Statement 2 is incorrect: While once more widespread, dugong populations are now concentrated in specific areas. They are primarily found in -The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay off the coast of Tamil Nadu -The Andaman and Nicobar Islands -The Gulf of Kutch Statement 3 is correct: It is given legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

* The National Aquatic animal of India is the Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica). * The Ministry of Environment and Forests notified the Ganges River Dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal on 18th May 2010.
* The dolphin is blind and faces a severe threat from the heavy pollution and habitat destruction in the waters where it lives. * It has been declared Endangered in the IUCN Red List, and it is assumed that fewer than 2000 individuals remain. This dolphin, called susu or susuk in India, is thought to represent the purity of the Ganga.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, due to their unique island ecosystem, provide the ideal conditions for all three forest types to coexist: Mangrove forests: Thrive in the coastal areas with brackish water. Evergreen forests: Found in the wetter interior regions with high rainfall. Deciduous forests: Exist in areas with a seasonal climate, experiencing periods of both rain and dryness.