This set covers the levels of biodiversity, the hotspot concept, conservation methods and the main global treaties for protecting species. UPSC Prelims regularly asks about IUCN categories, CITES appendices and the protocols under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
How to practise: read each question and tap the option you think is correct. You will see right away whether you got it, along with a short explanation, and your score is tracked at the bottom of the screen. This set has 15 questions.
Topics covered in this set
- Levels and measures of biodiversity
- Biodiversity hotspots
- In-situ and ex-situ conservation
- IUCN Red List and protected area categories
- CITES and its appendices
- CBD, its protocols and the Global Biodiversity Framework
UPSC Environment MCQs with answers and explanations
Q1. The concept of 'biodiversity hotspots' was first proposed by:
a) E. O. Wilson
b) Norman Myers
c) Walter Rosen
d) Rachel Carson
Q2. Which of the following is a criterion used by Conservation International to identify a biodiversity hotspot?
a) At least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species and loss of at least 70 percent of original habitat
b) At least 500 endemic mammal species
c) Location in a tropical country only
d) Presence of at least one national park
Q3. Which of the following biodiversity hotspots does not include any part of India?
a) Himalaya
b) Indo-Burma
c) Sundaland
d) Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands
Q4. Which of the following is an example of ex-situ conservation?
a) National park
b) Seed bank
c) Sacred grove
d) Biosphere reserve
Q5. Which of the following IUCN Red List categories is not one of the three 'threatened' categories?
a) Vulnerable
b) Endangered
c) Near Threatened
d) Critically Endangered
Q6. Under the IUCN Red List, a species that survives only in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population outside its past range is classified as:
a) Extinct
b) Critically Endangered
c) Data Deficient
d) Extinct in the Wild
Q7. Which of the following statements about CITES is correct?
a) It regulates international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants
b) It regulates trade within the borders of a country
c) It is a non-binding declaration
d) Its secretariat is run by the UNFCCC
Q8. Under CITES, species threatened with extinction, in which commercial international trade is generally prohibited, are listed in:
a) Appendix I
b) Appendix II
c) Appendix III
d) Annex A of the Kyoto Protocol
Q9. Which of the following is not one of the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity?
a) Conservation of biological diversity
b) Sustainable use of its components
c) Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources
d) Setting binding greenhouse gas emission targets
Q10. The Cartagena Protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity deals with:
a) Access to genetic resources and benefit sharing
b) Safe handling and transboundary movement of living modified organisms
c) Trade in endangered species
d) Protection of migratory birds
Q11. The '30 by 30' target of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to:
a) Reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030
b) Plant 30 billion trees by 2030
c) Effectively conserve at least 30 percent of land and ocean areas by 2030
d) Reduce pesticide use by 30 percent in 30 countries
Q12. In the IUCN protected area management categories, Category II corresponds to:
a) Strict nature reserve
b) Natural monument
c) Protected landscape
d) National park
Q13. Biodiversity measured as the change in species composition between different habitats or communities is called:
a) Alpha diversity
b) Beta diversity
c) Gamma diversity
d) Genetic diversity
Q14. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
a) Sacred grove : In-situ conservation
b) Zoological park : In-situ conservation
c) Biosphere reserve : Ex-situ conservation
d) Cryopreservation : In-situ conservation
Q15. Cryopreservation of seeds, gametes and tissues for ex-situ conservation is usually carried out in:
a) Dry ice at about minus 20 degrees Celsius
b) Ordinary refrigerators at 4 degrees Celsius
c) Liquid nitrogen at about minus 196 degrees Celsius
d) Sealed containers at room temperature
Quick revision notes
- Biodiversity is studied at three levels: genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity.
- A hotspot must have at least 1,500 endemic vascular plants and must have lost at least 70 percent of its original habitat.
- India includes parts of four hotspots: Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, and Sundaland.
- The IUCN threatened categories are Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable.
- CITES Appendix I lists the most threatened species, Appendix II species need trade permits, and Appendix III lists species protected by individual countries.
- The Cartagena Protocol deals with biosafety of living modified organisms and the Nagoya Protocol with access and benefit sharing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between in-situ and ex-situ conservation?
In-situ conservation protects species in their natural habitat, such as in national parks and biosphere reserves. Ex-situ conservation protects them outside their habitat, such as in zoos, botanical gardens and seed banks.
Does CITES ban all trade in wildlife?
No. CITES regulates international trade through permits based on the appendix in which a species is listed, and only Appendix I species face a general ban on commercial trade.
Who publishes the IUCN Red List?
The Red List is published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, based in Gland, Switzerland. It assesses the extinction risk of species using standard criteria.
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