MCQs on Environment and Ecology

[Set - 3]

1. What is the primary function of mangroves in coastal ecosystems?

A) Produce oxygen
B) Protect against soil erosion
C) Store carbon dioxide
D) Regulate climate

Correct Answer: B) Protect against soil erosion
Explanation: Mangroves protect coastal areas from soil erosion, storm surges, and flooding by stabilizing the shoreline with their extensive root systems.

2. Which type of organism is typically found at the top of the food chain?

A) Herbivores
B) Omnivores
C) Carnivores
D) Decomposers

Correct Answer: C) Carnivores
Explanation: Carnivores are typically apex predators and occupy the top position in the food chain, feeding on herbivores and other carnivores.

3. Which of the following is the largest source of freshwater on Earth?

A) Rivers
B) Lakes
C) Glaciers
D) Groundwater

Correct Answer: C) Glaciers
Explanation: Glaciers and ice caps hold the largest proportion of Earth’s freshwater, though much of it is not easily accessible for human use.

4. Which of the following is the largest reservoir of carbon in the carbon cycle?

A) Atmosphere
B) Oceans
C) Soil
D) Fossil fuels

Correct Answer: B) Oceans
Explanation: The oceans act as the largest carbon sink, absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

5. What is the term for species that are native and confined to a particular geographical area?

A) Endemic
B) Exotic
C) Invasive
D) Migratory

Correct Answer: A) Endemic
Explanation: Endemic species are native to a specific region and are not found naturally anywhere else.

6. What is the role of detritivores in an ecosystem?

A) Pollination
B) Decomposition
C) Primary production
D) Predation

Correct Answer: B) Decomposition
Explanation: Detritivores, such as earthworms and fungi, decompose dead organic material and help recycle nutrients in the ecosystem.

7. Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas?

A) Water vapor
B) Methane
C) Oxygen
D) Nitrous oxide

Correct Answer: C) Oxygen
Explanation: Oxygen is not a greenhouse gas; greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

8. Which of the following best describes the term "bioaccumulation"?

A) Accumulation of species in an ecosystem
B) Accumulation of nutrients in plants
C) Accumulation of toxic substances in organisms
D) Accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

Correct Answer: C) Accumulation of toxic substances in organisms
Explanation: Bioaccumulation refers to the build-up of toxic substances, such as heavy metals and pesticides, in the tissues of living organisms over time.

9. What is the process by which nitrates are converted back into nitrogen gas?

A) Nitrogen fixation
B) Denitrification
C) Ammonification
D) Nitrification

Correct Answer: B) Denitrification
Explanation: Denitrification is the process by which nitrates are converted back into nitrogen gas by bacteria, returning nitrogen to the atmosphere.

10. Which of the following is a key factor in desertification?

A) Acid rain
B) Deforestation
C) Global warming
D) Soil erosion

Correct Answer: B) Deforestation
Explanation: Deforestation leads to loss of vegetation, which contributes to soil erosion and eventually desertification, especially in arid regions.

11. Which of the following is the main driver of habitat loss globally?

A) Urbanization
B) Ocean acidification
C) Conservation efforts
D) Volcanic eruptions

Correct Answer: A) Urbanization
Explanation: Urbanization, driven by human population growth and development, is one of the main causes of habitat loss worldwide.

12. Which region is home to the most significant percentage of Earth's tropical rainforests?

A) Africa
B) Asia
C) South America
D) Australia

Correct Answer: C) South America
Explanation: South America, particularly the Amazon Basin, holds the largest percentage of Earth’s tropical rainforests.

13. Which ecosystem is most vulnerable to rising sea levels due to climate change?

A) Grasslands
B) Deserts
C) Coastal wetlands
D) Mountains

Correct Answer: C) Coastal wetlands
Explanation: Coastal wetlands, including mangroves and salt marshes, are vulnerable to rising sea levels, which can lead to habitat loss and increased flooding.

14. What is the term for the over-enrichment of water bodies with nutrients, leading to excessive plant growth?

A) Eutrophication
B) Acidification
C) Bioaccumulation
D) Salinization

Correct Answer: A) Eutrophication
Explanation: Eutrophication is the process by which water bodies become over-enriched with nutrients, often from agricultural runoff, leading to algal blooms and oxygen depletion.

15. Which of the following species is considered an invasive species in India?

A) Nilgai
B) House sparrow
C) Water hyacinth
D) Peacock

Correct Answer: C) Water hyacinth
Explanation: Water hyacinth is an invasive aquatic plant species in India, known for its rapid growth and the threat it poses to water bodies and biodiversity.

16. Which natural disaster is often linked to deforestation?

A) Earthquakes
B) Floods
C) Volcanoes
D) Hurricanes

Correct Answer: B) Floods
Explanation: Deforestation can lead to increased runoff and reduced soil absorption, which increases the risk of floods in deforested areas.

17. Which practice involves planting trees to restore degraded lands and improve ecosystems?

A) Afforestation
B) Deforestation
C) Reforestation
D) Urbanization

Correct Answer: C) Reforestation
Explanation: Reforestation is the process of planting trees in areas where forests have been previously cut down or degraded to restore ecological balance.

18. Which of the following is considered a non-renewable resource?

A) Wind energy
B) Solar energy
C) Natural gas
D) Biomass

Correct Answer: C) Natural gas
Explanation: Natural gas is a non-renewable resource formed from fossilized organic matter and cannot be replenished on a human timescale.

19. Which of the following species is an example of a migratory species?

A) Monarch butterfly
B) Elephant
C) Penguin
D) Sea urchin

Correct Answer: A) Monarch butterfly
Explanation: Monarch butterflies are known for their long migration from North America to Mexico, traveling thousands of miles annually.

20. Which of the following practices is most likely to contribute to soil salinization?

A) Organic farming
B) Overirrigation
C) Crop rotation
D) Conservation tillage

Correct Answer: B) Overirrigation
Explanation: Overirrigation can lead to the accumulation of salts in the soil, a process known as soil salinization, which can reduce crop yields.

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