Q321. The measurement of biodiversity that focuses on the diversity of species within a particular habitat or ecosystem is known as:
Health, Environment and Agriculture: RAS Prelims MCQs
662 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on health, environment and agriculture are on this page, in 4 chapters. They cover human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes, environmental and ecological changes and impact assessment, biodiversity and conservation of natural resources, and agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry in Rajasthan. Each question has an answer and an explanation.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
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Q322. Read the following statements regarding the levels of biodiversity:
I. Genetic diversity helps a species adapt to changing environmental conditions.
II. Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes.
III. Species diversity is uniformly distributed across the globe from poles to the equator.
Which of the given statements is/are correct?
I. Genetic diversity helps a species adapt to changing environmental conditions.
II. Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes.
III. Species diversity is uniformly distributed across the globe from poles to the equator.
Which of the given statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Genetic diversity is essential for the adaptation of species to environmental shifts. Ecosystem diversity describes the variety of habitats and ecological processes. However, species diversity is not uniformly distributed across the globe. It generally increases toward the equator and decreases toward the poles. Therefore, only the observations concerning genetics and ecosystems are scientifically accurate in the context of biodiversity levels.
Q323. Which of the following is a classic example of ecosystem diversity in India?
Explanation
India exhibits significant ecosystem diversity due to its varied geographical and climatic conditions. This level of biodiversity is characterized by the presence of distinct ecological systems like deserts, tropical rainforests, mangroves, and coral reefs. These ecosystems support diverse communities and ecological processes, representing a much higher level of complexity than species-level or genetic-level variations observed within single biological populations.
Q324. Identify the correct statement regarding biodiversity gradients.
Explanation
Latitudinal gradients show that species diversity is highest in the tropics and gradually declines toward higher latitudes. The equatorial regions provide stable climates and high productivity, supporting a greater variety of life. Conversely, the harsh conditions and shorter growing seasons near the poles lead to a significant decrease in the total number of species found in those specific polar ecosystems.
Q325. Which region of the world is often referred to as the "lungs of the planet" due to its massive species diversity and ecological significance?
Explanation
The Amazon rainforest is frequently described as the lungs of the planet because of its immense capacity for oxygen production and carbon sequestration. Located in South America, it harbors an unparalleled richness of species. This vast tropical ecosystem plays a critical role in regulating global climate patterns and maintaining the atmospheric balance of gases essential for the survival of life.
Q326. Find the odd one out in the context of biodiversity measurement levels.
Explanation
Alpha, beta, and gamma diversity are standard metrics established by ecologists to measure biodiversity at different spatial scales within a landscape. Alpha refers to local diversity, beta to species turnover between areas, and gamma to regional richness. Biome diversity is not a standard taxonomic or ecological measurement level used in this specific comparative framework for assessing biodiversity within regions.
Q327. Match the following terms in List I with their definitions in List II:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| A. Alpha diversity | i. Overall diversity within a large region or landscape |
| B. Beta diversity | ii. Diversity within a particular area or ecosystem |
| C. Gamma diversity | iii. Variation of alleles within a population |
| D. Genetic diversity | iv. Change in species composition along an environmental gradient Options: |
Explanation
Alpha diversity identifies the number of species within a specific local area. Beta diversity evaluates the change in species composition along environmental gradients. Gamma diversity reflects the total biodiversity across a large regional landscape. Genetic diversity focuses on the variation of alleles within a population, ensuring that each concept is correctly mapped to its standardized ecological and biological definition.
Q328. Identify the incorrect statement regarding species diversity.
Explanation
Species diversity involves richness, the total number of species, and evenness, the relative abundance of each species. Ecosystem stability generally increases with higher diversity and evenness. A community dominated by only a few species is typically more vulnerable to disturbances. Therefore, claiming that highly uneven species distribution leads to ecosystem stability is ecologically incorrect and contradicts standard biological principles.
Q329. A conservationist notes that two adjacent forest patches have completely different sets of bird species, though the total number of species in each patch is the same. This indicates a high level of:
Explanation
Beta diversity measures the rate of change in species composition between different habitats or ecosystems. When adjacent forest patches contain entirely different sets of bird species, the species turnover is considered very high. This comparison helps scientists determine the uniqueness of individual sites and the degree of differentiation across a broader landscape or environmental gradient within a larger geographical region.
Q330. The concept of "Biodiversity Hotspots" was first proposed by which of the following environmentalists?
Explanation
The concept of biodiversity hotspots was originally developed by environmental scientist Norman Myers in 1988. This framework identifies geographical regions that are both rich in endemic species and facing significant threats from habitat loss. His work provided a crucial tool for prioritizing global conservation efforts by focusing on areas with the highest potential for extinction and unique biological wealth.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 321 | (a) Alpha diversity |
| 322 | (a) I and II only |
| 323 | (d) The variety of deserts, rainforests, mangroves, and coral reefs |
| 324 | (c) Species diversity generally decreases as one moves from the equator towards the poles. |
| 325 | (b) The Amazon rainforest |
| 326 | (d) Biome diversity |
| 327 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 328 | (c) An ecosystem with highly uneven species distribution is stable. |
| 329 | (a) Beta diversity |
| 330 | (d) Norman Myers |
Key facts from Health, Environment and Agriculture
- The RPSC General Science syllabus includes human health and nutrition, environmental change, biodiversity and the agriculture of Rajasthan.
- Health questions pair a deficiency or a programme with its cause or target, for example iron with anaemia.
- Environment questions cover ecosystems, pollutants, laws and treaties, including carbon markets.
- Rajasthan agriculture questions deal with dryland farming, crops of the arid zones and the State’s agro-climatic zones.
- Science and technology, policies and defence are on the Science and Technology page.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Health, Environment and Agriculture?
This page has 662 practice MCQs on Health, Environment and Agriculture. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does this set cover?
Four chapters: human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes; environmental and ecological changes and their impact assessment; biodiversity, conservation of natural resources and sustainable development; and agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry in Rajasthan.
Are health, environment and agriculture part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. The General Knowledge and General Science paper includes human health, nutrition, environment, biodiversity and the agriculture sector of Rajasthan, so these topics can be asked every year.
How can I revise this part of the syllabus?
Make short lists of deficiency diseases, pollutants, laws and treaties, and Rajasthan crops and zones. Attempt each chapter, read the explanations of the misses and revisit the lists after a few days.