Biodiversity – 50 Important MCQs with Answers & Explanations
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Biodiversity refers to:
A) Variety of living organisms
B) Soil fertility
C) Rainfall pattern
D) Ocean currents
Answer: A
Explanation: Biodiversity means the variety of life forms including plants, animals, and microorganisms in a particular region. -
The term “Biodiversity” was popularized by:
A) Charles Darwin
B) Gregor Mendel
C) E.O. Wilson
D) Haeckel
Answer: C
Explanation: American biologist E.O. Wilson popularized the term biodiversity in the 1980s. -
India has approximately what percentage of the world’s biodiversity?
A) 2%
B) 8%
C) 15%
D) 20%
Answer: B
Explanation: India is one of the megadiverse countries and hosts about 8% of global biodiversity. -
International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated on:
A) 5 June
B) 21 March
C) 22 May
D) 16 September
Answer: C
Explanation: The United Nations celebrates 22 May every year as International Biodiversity Day. -
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was signed in:
A) 1972
B) 1985
C) 1992
D) 2001
Answer: C
Explanation: CBD was signed during the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. -
Western Ghats is known as:
A) Desert ecosystem
B) Biodiversity hotspot
C) Plateau region
D) Glacier zone
Answer: B
Explanation: Western Ghats is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots due to rich species diversity. -
The Himalaya region is famous for:
A) Desert biodiversity
B) Marine biodiversity
C) Mountain biodiversity hotspot
D) Urban biodiversity
Answer: C
Explanation: Himalaya is recognized globally as a biodiversity hotspot with unique flora and fauna. -
How many biodiversity hotspots are present in India?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5
Answer: C
Explanation: India has four hotspots: Himalaya, Western Ghats, Indo-Burma, and Sundaland. -
The Red Data Book contains information about:
A) Rivers
B) Minerals
C) Endangered species
D) Soil types
Answer: C
Explanation: Red Data Book lists species that are threatened or endangered. -
Ecosystem diversity includes:
A) Forests, deserts, oceans
B) Only plants
C) Only animals
D) Only microbes
Answer: A
Explanation: Ecosystem diversity refers to variety of ecosystems such as forests, deserts, and aquatic ecosystems. -
Species diversity refers to:
A) Variety of genes
B) Variety of species
C) Variety of ecosystems
D) Variety of minerals
Answer: B
Explanation: Species diversity indicates the number and variety of species in an ecosystem. -
Genetic diversity means:
A) Variation within species
B) Variety of ecosystems
C) Variety of climates
D) Variety of minerals
Answer: A
Explanation: Genetic diversity refers to differences in genes within the same species. -
Which ecosystem has the highest biodiversity?
A) Desert
B) Tropical forest
C) Polar region
D) Mountain tundra
Answer: B
Explanation: Tropical forests have favorable climate and high productivity supporting diverse life forms. -
India is considered a:
A) Desert country
B) Megadiverse country
C) Ice country
D) Industrial country
Answer: B
Explanation: India is among the 17 megadiverse countries with high species richness. -
Biodiversity conservation includes:
A) In-situ conservation
B) Ex-situ conservation
C) Both A and B
D) None
Answer: C
Explanation: Biodiversity is conserved through in-situ (natural habitat) and ex-situ (zoos, botanical gardens). -
In-situ conservation means:
A) Conservation outside habitat
B) Conservation in natural habitat
C) Artificial conservation
D) Genetic conservation
Answer: B
Explanation: In-situ conservation protects species within their natural ecosystem. -
Ex-situ conservation includes:
A) National parks
B) Botanical gardens
C) Forest reserves
D) Wildlife sanctuaries
Answer: B
Explanation: Botanical gardens conserve plant species outside their natural habitat. -
Example of in-situ conservation:
A) Zoo
B) Seed bank
C) National park
D) Botanical garden
Answer: C
Explanation: National parks conserve species within their natural habitats. -
Example of ex-situ conservation:
A) Wildlife sanctuary
B) National park
C) Zoo
D) Forest reserve
Answer: C
Explanation: Zoos protect animals outside their natural habitats. -
Which organization publishes Red List of threatened species?
A) WHO
B) IUCN
C) UNEP
D) WWF
Answer: B
Explanation: The International Union for Conservation of Nature publishes the Red List. - Biodiversity is important for: Ecosystem stability
Answer: A
Explanation: Biodiversity maintains ecological balance. - Largest biodiversity hotspot in India: Western Ghats
Answer: B
Explanation: Western Ghats has thousands of endemic species. - Hotspot concept given by: Norman Myers
Answer: C
Explanation: He introduced biodiversity hotspot concept in 1988. - Major cause of biodiversity loss: Habitat destruction
Answer: A
Explanation: Human activities destroy natural habitats. - Conservation of species outside habitat: Ex-situ conservation
Answer: B - Largest biodiversity country: Brazil
Answer: A - Protected areas include: National parks & sanctuaries
Answer: D - WWF works for: Wildlife conservation
Answer: B - Biodiversity provides: Food and medicine
Answer: C - Example of endemic species in India: Lion-tailed macaque
Answer: D - Hotspots have: High endemism
Answer: B - Coral reefs show: High biodiversity
Answer: A - Deforestation leads to: Biodiversity loss
Answer: C - Conservation strategy: Sustainable development
Answer: D - Biosphere reserves protect: Ecosystems
Answer: B - India’s first biosphere reserve: Nilgiri
Answer: C - Endangered species example: Bengal tiger
Answer: A - Ecology studies: Organism–environment relations
Answer: B - Largest mangrove forest: Sundarbans
Answer: D - Biodiversity conservation helps: Maintain ecological balance
Answer: A
Note: These MCQs are based on frequently asked biodiversity concepts in competitive exams like Forest Inspector, Wildlife Guard, and environmental studies tests.