Q21. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains the Red List of Threatened Species. In which year was the IUCN established?
Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development: RAS Prelims MCQs
179 RAS Prelims MCQs on biodiversity, conservation of natural resources and sustainable development cover the levels of biodiversity, hotspots, conservation bodies, wildlife law and climate instruments. Alpha diversity, Norman Myers, the IUCN Red List, the Wildlife Amendment Act 2022, the CBD protocols and carbon market ideas like cap and trade and additionality are asked as facts and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 21–30 of 179 questions
Q22. Arrange the following IUCN Red List categories in order of increasing risk of extinction:
I. Endangered (EN)
II. Vulnerable (VU)
III. Extinct in the Wild (EW)
IV. Critically Endangered (CR)
Which of the following is the correct sequence?
I. Endangered (EN)
II. Vulnerable (VU)
III. Extinct in the Wild (EW)
IV. Critically Endangered (CR)
Which of the following is the correct sequence?
Explanation
The IUCN Red List categorizes species based on their proximity to extinction. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the medium term. Endangered species face a very high risk in the near future. Critically Endangered species face an extremely high risk immediately. Extinct in the Wild represents the highest risk level, as no living individuals remain outside captivity.
Q23. Read the following criteria used by the IUCN:
I. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population size reduction of 90% or more over the last 10 years.
II. Extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 100 square kilometres.
III. Population size estimated to number fewer than 250 mature individuals.
IV. Quantitative analysis showing the probability of extinction in the wild is at least 50% within 10 years.
V. Population size estimated to number fewer than 50 mature individuals.
Which combination of the above represents criteria that can independently classify a species as ‘Critically Endangered’ (CR)?
I. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population size reduction of 90% or more over the last 10 years.
II. Extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 100 square kilometres.
III. Population size estimated to number fewer than 250 mature individuals.
IV. Quantitative analysis showing the probability of extinction in the wild is at least 50% within 10 years.
V. Population size estimated to number fewer than 50 mature individuals.
Which combination of the above represents criteria that can independently classify a species as ‘Critically Endangered’ (CR)?
Explanation
A species is classified as Critically Endangered if it meets any of several quantitative criteria. These include a population reduction of ninety percent over ten years, a range smaller than one hundred square kilometers, a population of fewer than fifty mature individuals, or a fifty percent probability of extinction within a decade. Each of these parameters indicates an extremely high risk.
Q24. A wildlife biologist finds that a specific frog species has not been seen in its natural habitat for 60 years, despite exhaustive surveys. However, a small population survives in a research terrarium. Under which IUCN category should this species be listed?
Explanation
A taxon is categorized as Extinct in the Wild when it is known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity, or as a naturalized population well outside its past range. Since the frog species has not been observed in its natural environment for sixty years but still persists in a research terrarium, it fits this specific conservation status precisely and accurately.
Q25. Identify the correct pair of species and its general IUCN status (as commonly cited in Indian context):
Explanation
The Pygmy Hog is the world’s smallest and rarest wild suid and is listed as Critically Endangered due to its extremely small and fragmented population. In contrast, the Great Indian Bustard is also Critically Endangered, and the Snow Leopard is Vulnerable. The Olive Ridley Turtle is Vulnerable, and no major Indian megafauna species are currently classified as Extinct.
Q26. Match the following IUCN categories in List I with their descriptions in List II:
| IUCN Category | Description |
|---|---|
| A. Extinct (EX) | i. Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future |
| B. Data Deficient (DD) | ii. Widespread and abundant taxa |
| C. Near Threatened (NT) | iii. No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died |
| D. Least Concern (LC) | iv. Inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction Options: |
Explanation
Extinct status confirms that the last individual of a species has died. Data Deficient indicates insufficient information to assess extinction risk accurately. Near Threatened identifies taxa likely to qualify for a threatened category soon. Least Concern applies to widespread and abundant species. This mapping ensures that each IUCN Red List category is linked with its standardized global scientific description.
Q27. According to the IUCN Red List, a species is classified as "Vulnerable" when it:
Explanation
According to the IUCN Red List criteria, a taxon is categorized as Vulnerable when the best available evidence indicates that it meets specific thresholds for population size or range decline. This classification signifies that the species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future, requiring conservation attention to prevent further status deterioration.
Q28. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the IUCN Red List.
Explanation
The IUCN Red List is a scientifically rigorous system that relies heavily on quantitative criteria. These include measurable data on population size reduction, geographic range size, and probability of extinction. It does not rely solely on qualitative descriptions. Species in the Vulnerable, Endangered, and Critically Endangered categories are collectively identified as Threatened, and the list informs global conservation policies.
Q29. The publication documenting the rare and endangered species of animals and plants, maintained internationally, is known as:
Explanation
The Red Data Book is the state document established for documenting rare and endangered species of animals, plants, and fungi. Maintained by the IUCN, it provides comprehensive data on the conservation status of various taxa across the globe. This publication is essential for tracking biodiversity loss and guiding international efforts to protect species that are at risk of extinction.
Q30. Which of the following is NOT a recognized category in the IUCN Red List?
Explanation
The official IUCN Red List categories include Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least Concern, Data Deficient, and Not Evaluated. These categories provide a standardized framework for assessing the risk of extinction. Ecological Exception is not a recognized term or category within this global system used to evaluate the status of biological species.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (c) 1948 |
| 22 | (a) II, I, IV, III |
| 23 | (d) I, II, III, IV and V |
| 24 | (a) Extinct in the Wild |
| 25 | (c) Pygmy Hog - Critically Endangered |
| 26 | (a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii |
| 27 | (c) Faces a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future. |
| 28 | (b) It relies solely on qualitative data and ignores quantitative criteria like population reduction. |
| 29 | (c) The Red Data Book |
| 30 | (d) Ecological Exception |
Key facts from Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development
- Genetic diversity is the variation of genes and alleles within a species; alpha diversity is the diversity of species within a habitat.
- Norman Myers proposed the concept of biodiversity hotspots; the Nicobar Islands are part of the Sundaland hotspot.
- The IUCN maintains the Red List of Threatened Species; the Amazon rainforest is called the lungs of the planet.
- The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2022 removed the vermin schedule; the Centre can declare vermin by notification.
- The Cartagena Protocol, Nagoya Protocol and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework belong to the CBD; the Kyoto Protocol does not.
- Cap and trade sets an emission limit and allows trade of surplus allowances; one carbon credit equals one tonne of CO₂; additionality means reductions must be real.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development?
This page has 179 practice MCQs on Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development (Health, Environment and Agriculture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Who proposed the concept of biodiversity hotspots?
The ecologist Norman Myers. A hotspot is a region with a very high number of endemic species that has lost most of its original habitat, such as the Western Ghats and Sundaland.
What is cap and trade?
A mechanism that sets a limit (cap) on total emissions and issues allowances to firms. Firms that emit less than their allowance can sell the surplus to others, which gives a market price to carbon.
What does additionality mean in carbon offsets?
That the emission reductions must be real and would not have happened without the revenue from carbon credits. A project that would have gone ahead anyway does not earn credits.