Biodiversity hotspots are regions with exceptionally high species diversity and endemism that are under significant threat. India contains several biodiversity hotspots that are frequently asked in UPSC and State PCS examinations.
Which of the above is/are Biodiversity Hotspot(s)?
Correct Answer:
(A) 1 only
Eastern Himalayas is a biodiversity hotspot and it is Mediterranean basin and Southwest Australia which are biodiversity hotspots. Hence only 1 is correct.
Ques: 2
The ‘Hotspot’ of Biodiversity in India are:
Correct Answer:
(C) Eastern Himalayas and the Western Ghats
According to Conservation International at present, there are 36 biodiversity rich areas in the world that have been qualified as hotspots, which represent just 2.5% of earth’s land surface, but support over 50% of the world’s endemic plant species, and nearly 43% of bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species as endemics. India has four biodiversity hotspots namely Himalaya, Indo-Burma (Northeastern India and Andaman Islands), Sundalands (Nicobar Islands) and Western Ghats (and Sri Lanka).
Ques: 3
Consider the following statements:
Biodiversity hotspots are located only in tropical regions.
India has four biodiversity hotspots i.e., Eastern Himalayas, Western Himalayas, Western Ghats and Andaman and the Nicobar Islands.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer:
(D)
Neither 1 nor 2
Hotspots are not only located in tropical regions but also in temperate regions (California Floristic Province, Japan). India has four bio-diversity hotspots- Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Myanmar border and Sundaland. The Sundaland includes the Nicobar group of islands but does not include the Andaman group of islands.
Ques: 4
Which of the following is a biodiversity saturated area in India?
Correct Answer:
(B) Western Ghat
India is a land of remarkable biodiversity. India inhabits 7.6 percent of all mammals, 12.6 percent of birds, 6.2 percent of reptiles and 4.4 percent of amphibians found in 18 megadiverse countries. Western Ghat is a biodiversity saturated area in the given options.
Ques: 5
With reference to biodiversity, which of the following regions in India is regarded as ‘HOTSPOT’?
Correct Answer:
(A) Andaman and Nicobar Island
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographical region of the Earth which is extremely biologically diverse and also under severe threat due to habitat loss, climate change or extensive species loss. As a general rule, to be considered a biodiversity hotspot, a region must be biologically diverse, with a high proportion of endemic species which are not found anywhere else on Earth, and the security of the region must be threatened. So, hotspots are the richest and most threatened reservoirs of plant and animal life on Earth. India has four bio-diversity hotspots – Western Ghat, Eastern Himalaya, Indo-Myanmar border and Sundaland. Nicobar island is regarded as a part of the Sundaland bio-diversity area and Andaman group of Islands come under the Indo-Myanmar hotspot. Hence, the correct answer is option (a).
Ques: 6
The maximum biodiversity is found in –
Correct Answer:
(A) Tropical rainforest
The maximum biodiversity is found in the tropical rainforest. They extend from 23°5'N to 23°5'S. This area has a suitable condition for the growth and development of flora and fauna as it receives heavy rains and high temperature throughout the year. That is why it is also called as optimum Biome.
Ques: 7
In which of the following ecosystems the species diversity is relatively higher?
Deep sea
Correct Answer:
(C) and
Biodiversity is the variety of living species that can be found in a particular place. Coral reefs are believed to have the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem on the planet—even more than a tropical rainforest.
Ques: 8
The maximum biodiversity is found in:
Correct Answer:
(C) Tropical rain forests
Bio-diversity refers to a variety of organism found in a particular geographical area. Utmost biodiversity is found in tropical rain forests among all ecosystems on the Earth. Tropical rain forest extends near the equator.
Ques: 9
Which of the following is considered a "Hotsopt" of biodiversity in India?
Correct Answer:
(B) Western Ghats
Biodiversity is a contraction of the term "biological diversity" that refers to variety among and between living organisms. Areas that have extremely rich and diverse flora and fauna and are under threat of getting endangered are called biodiversity 'Hotspot'. Officially, four out of the 36 biodiversity Hotspots in the world are present in India : the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, the Indo-Burma region and the Sundaland. Hence option (b) is correct.
Ques: 10
In which of the following types of forests maximum plant diversity is found?
Correct Answer:
(D)
Tropical evergreen forests
Maximum plant diversity is found in tropical evergreen forests. The tropical evergreen forests usually occur in areas receiving more than 200 cm of rainfall and having a temperature of 15 to 30 degree Celsius. They occupy about seven percent of the earth's land surface and harbours more than half of the world's plants and animals.