UPSC 2018 Environment and Ecology Questions with Answers

Explanation

Both warm and mid-latitude deserts have a predomi-nance of xerophytic or drought-resistant plants. This comprises cacti, thorny bushes, wiry grasses with extensive roots, and scattered dwarf acacias.

Option (d) is correct: In order to gather moisture and search for ground water, the majority of desert shrubs have lengthy roots that are widely distributed. These plants typically have a few (or no leaves) tiny, needle-shaped, waxy, leathery leaves or hairy foliage to reduce water loss through transpiration.

Explanation

Carbon fertilisation is the artificial enrichment of the atmosphere of greenhouses with carbon dioxide, an essential nutrient for plants and vegetables. It also goes by the name of "Carbon Dioxide Fertilization." It can be used to grow nearly any form of vegetable (asparagus, celery, lettuce, tomatoes, aubergines, etc.), greenhouse fruit (strawberries), and ornamental plants, and is especially suited for cold climates.

Option (a) is correct: Carbon fertilisation results in an increase in the instantaneous rate of photosynthesis in C3 plants; and increases the transpiration efficiency of the leaf (C3 and C4 plants). During high concentration of carbon dioxide, plants maintain narrow openings of leaf surface which protects them from water loss. Faster plant growth enhances food production and allows for the sequestration of more carbon dioxide. Plants distribute a greater proportion of photosynthate to roots under high concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The reproductive biomass growth, as well as vegetative biomass growth, is usually increased by elevated carbon dioxide.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Soil water holding capacity is the amount of water that a given soil can hold for crop use. Soil texture and organic matter are the key components that determine soil water holding capacity. Organic matter influences the physical conditions of a soil in several ways.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Sulphur is one of three nutrients that are cycled between the soil, plant matter and the atmosphere. The sulphur cycle describes the movement of sulphur through the atmosphere, mineral and organic forms, and through living things.

Statement 3 is correct: Salinization is a major problem associated with irrigation, because deposits of salts build up in the soil and can reach levels that are harmful to crops.

Explanation

Conservation Agriculture (CA) is a farming system that promotes minimum soil disturbance (i.e. no tillage), maintenance of a permanent soil cover, and diversification of plant species. It enhances biodiversity and natural biological processes above and below the ground surface, which contribute to increased water and nutrient use efficiency and to improved and sustained crop production. According to FAO’s website there are three principles of Conservation of Agriculture:

1. Minimum mechanical soil disturbance: It refers to low disturbance no-tillage and direct seeding. The disturbed area must be less than 15 cm wide or less than 25% of the cropped area (whichever is lower).

2. Permanent soil organic cover: Three categories are distinguished: 30-60%, >60-90% and >90% ground cover, measured immediately after the direct seeding operation. An area with less than 30% cover is not considered as CA.

3. Species diversification: Rotation/association should involve at least 3 different crop species. The rotation of crops is not only necessary to offer a diverse "diet" to the soil micro organisms, but as they root at different soil depths, they are capable of exploring different soil layers for nutrients.

Explanation

Sand mining is the extraction of sand, mainly through an open pit (or sandpit) but sometimes mined from beaches and inland dunes or dredged from ocean and river beds.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Sand mining typically does not directly affect the salinity of the river. Salinity is more influenced by factors like the influx of seawater in coastal areas, evaporation rates, and the presence of saline minerals in the riverbed.

Statement 2 is correct: The amount of suspended particles in the water at the excavation site and downstream increases due to increased riverbed and bank erosion. This process stirs up the sediments and increases the chance of contamination of groundwater.

Statement 3 is correct: Heavy sand mining causes removal of sand and gravels from the riverbed. Due to this the groundwater table drops leaving the drinking water wells on the embankments of these rivers dry. Alteration of rivers, damage to river biodiversity, altered sediment budget lead to poor water quality, worsen water scarcity threat to coastal communities, damage to public and private property.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Critical Wildlife Habitats (CWH) are defined under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.. These are areas within wildlife sanctuaries and national parks that are critical for the survival of wildlife species and where human activities may be restricted.

Statement 2 is correct: The Baiga tribe in Madhya Pradesh was one of the first communities in India to be granted Habitat Rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. This recognition ensures their right to live in and sustainably use forest resources in their traditional habitats.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The declaration of Habitat Rights is the responsibility of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and state-level authorities under the framework of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

Explanation

The NGT provides environmental justice and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) NGT was established by National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, with jurisdiction over all civil disputes addressing important environmental issues. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) was established under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974 as a statutory body. National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 was enacted for effective and expeditious disposal (within 6 months of appeal) of environmental cases and to help reduce burden of litigation in the higher courts. It is also entrusted with the powers & functions under the Air (prevention and control of pollution) Act, 1981. It provides for Enforcement of legal environmental rights, relief & compensation for damages caused. It works under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The tribunal’s decision is enforceable as a civil court judgement and is governed by natural justice principles.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Both the NGT and CPCB were established by some Acts, namely, the NGT Act, 2010 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, respectively.

Statement 2 is correct: The objective of NGT is to provide effective & expeditious disposal (within 6 months of appeal) of the environmental cases and to help reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts.

Explanation

Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA) is an inclusive, voluntary and action-oriented multi-stakeholder platform on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA). The vision is to improve food security, nutrition and resilience in the face of climate change. GACSA aims to catalyze and help create transformational partnerships to encourage actions that reflect an integrated approach to the three pillars of CSA.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The concept of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) was originally developed by FAO and officially presented at the Hague Conference on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change in 2010, through the paper "Climate-Smart Agriculture: Policies, Practices and Financing for Food Security, Adaptation and Mitigation". The Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA) was launched during the UN Climate Summit of 2014, in New York(not at the Paris Climate Summit in 2015).

Statement 2 is correct: Its membership does not impose any binding obligations on its participants, allowing for flexible engagement in promoting climate-smart agricultural practices.

Statement 3 is incorrect: While India is a signatory to the Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA), India had no instrumental role in the creation of GACSA.

Explanation

Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) is a direct response to the Rio+20 Declaration, The Future We Want i.e. The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 2012, Rio de Janeiro. PAGE serves as a framework to coordinate UN efforts in the green economy and to help nations meet and track the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals. The partnership aims to place sustainability at the core of economic policies and practices, thereby advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It supports countries in reshaping their economic policies around sustainability to foster growth, create jobs, reduce poverty and inequality, and strength-en ecological foundations.

Explanation

The UNFCCC Secretariat introduced the "Climate Neutral Now" initiative in 2015 to promote voluntary action towards climate neutrality. In 2016, during the UN Climate Change Conference in Marrakech (COP22), the UNFCCC Secretariat combined its "Climate Neutral Now" initiative with the "Momentum for Change" initiative, creating a new pillar focused on climate neutrality. The initiative aims to achieve a climate-neutral world by 2050, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. It provides a platform for recognizing and showcasing successful climate actions by non-Party stakeholders, including businesses, investors, cities, regions, and civil society.