UPSC Static Quiz – Environment : 12 July 2025

Solution: D

• Statement-I is incorrect. Eutrophication leads to a decrease in dissolved oxygen levels (hypoxia or anoxia) in the water body, especially in bottom waters, due to the decomposition of dead algal blooms. This oxygen depletion is detrimental to most aquatic life and reduces aquatic biodiversity, often leading to fish kills and the creation of “dead zones”.
• Statement-II is correct. Eutrophication is the process of nutrient enrichment in water bodies, primarily by nitrogen and phosphorus from sources like agricultural runoff and sewage. These excess nutrients stimulate excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants (algal blooms). When these blooms die and decompose by aerobic bacteria, large amounts of dissolved oxygen are consumed, leading to oxygen depletion.
• Therefore, Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Solution: B

1. Ecological Niche: This refers to the unique functional role and position of a species within its habitat or ecosystem, encompassing its diet, activity patterns, resource utilization, and interactions with other species and the physical environment. This pair is correctly matched.
2. Ecotone: This is a transition area between two different biological communities or ecosystems (e.g., between a forest and a grassland). It often has characteristics of both bordering ecosystems and may also have unique species. A stable, self-perpetuating community at equilibrium is a climax community, not an ecotone. This pair is incorrectly matched.
3. Ecological Succession: This is the orderly and progressive replacement of one community by another until a relatively stable climax community is established. It is the gradual process of change in species composition and community structure over time. This pair is correctly matched.

Solution: A

Within a National Park in India, a high degree of protection is accorded to wildlife and their habitats.

1. Grazing of livestock is generally prohibited. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, restricts such activities to ensure undisturbed habitat for wildlife.
2. Collection of minor forest produce by local communities is also generally prohibited or severely restricted in National Parks, unlike in some Wildlife Sanctuaries where it might be allowed to a limited extent if it doesn’t harm wildlife.
3. Habitat manipulation for wildlife management, if deemed necessary for the betterment of wildlife, can be carried out but only with the approval of the Chief Wildlife Warden and as per the management plan of the park. This is a management intervention, not a generally prohibited activity by others.
4. Scientific research is often permitted and even encouraged in National Parks, provided it is conducted by recognized institutions with prior permission from the authorities and does not negatively impact the ecosystem or wildlife.

Solution: C

• Statement-I is correct. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a standard test used to measure the amount of dissolved oxygen consumed by aerobic biological organisms (mainly bacteria) to break down organic material present in a given water sample at a certain temperature over a specific time period. It indicates the amount of biodegradable organic matter.
• Statement-II is incorrect. A high BOD value indicates that there is a large amount of organic matter in the water, which means more oxygen will be required by microorganisms for its decomposition. This suggests a high level of organic pollution and generally poor water quality, as high BOD can lead to oxygen depletion, harming aquatic life. Conversely, a low BOD value indicates good water quality with less organic pollution.
• Therefore, Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

Solution: D

All four listed are directly associated with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):

1. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety: An international agreement under the CBD that aims to ensure the safe handling, transport, and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity, also taking into account risks to human health.
2. Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization: Another supplementary agreement to the CBD, it provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of one of the three objectives of the CBD: the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
3. Aichi Biodiversity Targets: A set of 20 time-bound, measurable targets adopted by the CBD’s Conference of Parties in 2010 in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, as part of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.
4. 4. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF): Adopted at COP15 of the CBD in December 2022, this framework provides a new set of goals and targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, effectively replacing the Aichi Targets.