QUIZ – 2017: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 29 September 2018

Solution: a.

Ecological succession, the process by which the structure of a biological community evolves over time. Two different types of succession—primary and secondary—have been distinguished. Primary succession occurs in essentially lifeless areas—regions in which the soil is incapable of sustaining life as a result of such factors as lava flows, newly formed sand dunes, or rocks left from a retreating glacier. Secondary succession occurs in areas where a community that previously existed has been removed; it is typified by smaller-scale disturbances that do not eliminate all life and nutrients from the environment.

Secondary succession follows a major disturbance, such as a fire or a flood. The stages of secondary succession are similar to those of primary succession; however, primary succession always begins on a barren surface, whereas secondary succession begins in environments that already possess soil.

TH;

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Solution: a.

BBC: Cocoa, the delicate plant behind chocolate needs humid tropical climates and shades of rainforests, which limits areas where you can grow it. Leading regions are found in West Africa, with Ivory Coast and Ghana alone contributing to more than 50% of the entire world’s production… India is currently one of the fastest-growing chocolate markets, with demand steadily rising over the past years. In 2016, over 228,000 tonnes were consumed, an increase of 50% in comparison to 2011.

Cocoa cultivation in India: Cocoa plant is a small (4 to 8 m height) evergreen tree. In India, it is mainly cultivated in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu mainly as intercrop with Arecanut and Coconut.

It can be grown up to 300 m above mean sea level.  The plants need equitable climate with well distributed rainfall. The temperature range of 15°-39°C with optimum of 25°C is considered ideal.

Cocoa requires deep and well drained soils. Cocoa was evolved as an under-storey crop in the Amazonian forests. Thus commercial cultivation of cocoa can be taken up in plantations where 50 per cent of light is ideally available. In India, coconut and arecanut gardens are suited best for cultivating Cocoa. Under arecanut 30-50% of sunlight penetrates through their canopy which can be intercepted by cocoa.

Solution: a.

Rangdum Wetlands is not a Ramsar site. The other three are.

Wikipedia Ramsar Sites India;

PDF: Ramsar Sites India;

Ramsar Sites Map;

In the news: TH;

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Solution: b.

PIB: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, under the aegis of Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM – U), has partnered with Google to launch the Loo Review campaign to encourage all local guides in India to rate and review public toilets on Google Maps. This campaign is part of a feature which allows all citizens to locate public toilets in their cities on Google Maps, Search and the Assistant and also provide feedback on the same.  500+ cities in India with more than 30,000 toilets with the name of “SBM Toilet” are currently live on Google Maps. Local Guides are people who share reviews, photos, and knowledge on Google Maps.

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Solution: d.

PIB: The Golden Globe Race (GGR) commenced from Les Sables d’Olonne harbour in France. In this race, participants are required to sail around the world, single-handed and non-stop. The uniqueness of the race is that boat designs and technology newer than 1968 is not permitted, hence use of Global Positioning System (GPS), satellite communication, navigational aids, etc is forbidden.

Recently in the news: rescue of Commander Abhilash Tomy;

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