Q1. Which of the following best defines "desertification" according to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)?
Environmental Issues: Desertification, Deforestation, Climate Change and Ozone Depletion: RAS Prelims MCQs
75 RAS Prelims MCQs on environmental issues cover desertification, deforestation, global warming, climate agreements and the ozone layer. Greenhouse gases, the IPCC, the Montreal Protocol, the Kigali Amendment, the Paris Agreement, the Great Green Wall and desertification in Rajasthan and India are asked as facts, dates and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 75 questions
Q2. Which greenhouse gas is the most abundant in the Earth’s atmosphere and acts primarily as a climate feedback mechanism rather than a direct initial climate forcing agent?
Explanation
Water vapour is the most prevalent greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Unlike carbon dioxide, it acts as a feedback rather than a direct forcing agent. As the planet warms from other gases, the air holds more moisture, which further traps heat. This cycle amplifies the initial warming effect significantly within the complex global climate system.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Sahel region’s geography and desertification:
Statement I: The Sahel is a semi-arid transition zone located between the Sahara Desert to the north and the Sudanian savanna to the south.
Statement II: Overgrazing, combined with population pressure and variable rainfall, is a primary anthropogenic cause of desertification in the Sahel.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: The Sahel is a semi-arid transition zone located between the Sahara Desert to the north and the Sudanian savanna to the south.
Statement II: Overgrazing, combined with population pressure and variable rainfall, is a primary anthropogenic cause of desertification in the Sahel.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Sahel serves as a critical transition zone between the Sahara Desert and southern savannas. It faces severe land degradation driven by anthropogenic factors like overgrazing and rising population pressure. These human influences, combined with highly unpredictable rainfall patterns, accelerate desertification processes. Understanding these dynamics is essential for implementing sustainable land management and restoration initiatives.
Q4. Identify the odd one out among the following typical causes of deforestation globally.
Explanation
Deforestation is primarily driven by industrial agriculture, urban expansion, and large-scale logging operations. In contrast, agroforestry involves the intentional integration of trees into crop and livestock systems. This practice is a sustainable land management strategy that enhances biodiversity and sequester carbon. Therefore, it serves as a solution to forest loss rather than a contributing cause.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD):
I. It is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.
II. It was adopted in 1994 and focuses heavily on the arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems exist.
III. The Great Green Wall initiative is completely independent of the UNCCD framework and objectives.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.
II. It was adopted in 1994 and focuses heavily on the arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems exist.
III. The Great Green Wall initiative is completely independent of the UNCCD framework and objectives.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification is a legally binding international agreement focusing on sustainable land management in drylands. Adopted in 1994, it targets vulnerable arid and semi-arid regions to improve ecosystem health. While the Great Green Wall is a major initiative, it aligns closely with the objectives and framework established by the convention.
Q6. The protective ozone layer, which absorbs most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation, is primarily located in which region of the atmosphere?
Explanation
The stratosphere contains the highest concentration of ozone, forming a protective shield around the planet. This layer absorbs the majority of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation, particularly UV-B rays. By filtering these rays, it prevents significant damage to living organisms and ecosystems. Its preservation remains a critical focus of international environmental agreements like the Montreal Protocol.
Q7. All of the following are considered natural drivers of long-term climate change EXCEPT:
Explanation
Long-term climate variations occur naturally through Milankovitch cycles, solar fluctuations, and volcanic activity. However, large-scale changes in land use and the removal of forests are anthropogenic drivers. These human activities release stored carbon and alter surface albedo, contributing to modern global warming. Distinguishing between natural cycles and human-induced impacts is vital for accurate climate modeling.
Q8. Consider the following statements regarding Amazon deforestation:
I. The Amazon basin contains the largest remaining area of tropical rainforest in the world.
II. Cattle ranching and soy cultivation are among the leading primary drivers of deforestation in the region.
III. Deforestation in the Amazon reduces its capacity to function as a global carbon sink.
IV. The loss of Amazonian tree cover has no significant impact on regional evapotranspiration and rainfall patterns.
V. Scientists warn that continued deforestation could push the Amazon past a tipping point, turning it into a savanna.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The Amazon basin contains the largest remaining area of tropical rainforest in the world.
II. Cattle ranching and soy cultivation are among the leading primary drivers of deforestation in the region.
III. Deforestation in the Amazon reduces its capacity to function as a global carbon sink.
IV. The loss of Amazonian tree cover has no significant impact on regional evapotranspiration and rainfall patterns.
V. Scientists warn that continued deforestation could push the Amazon past a tipping point, turning it into a savanna.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Amazon basin represents the largest tropical forest, providing essential services like carbon sequestration and regional rainfall regulation through evapotranspiration. Major drivers include cattle ranching and soy cultivation. Continued loss of tree cover threatens a potential tipping point where the ecosystem transforms into a savanna. This shift would have catastrophic consequences for global biodiversity and climate stability.
Q9. Which of the following statements accurately describes the primary role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?
Explanation
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change does not conduct original research or monitor the atmosphere directly. Instead, it systematically reviews and synthesizes thousands of peer-reviewed scientific papers. This process provides policymakers with a comprehensive summary of climate drivers, impacts, and mitigation options. Its assessments form the scientific foundation for international climate negotiations and policy development.
Q10. Match List-I with List-II:
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
| Greenhouse Gas | Major Anthropogenic Source |
|---|---|
| A. Carbon dioxide | i. Enteric fermentation in livestock |
| B. Methane | ii. Synthetic refrigerants and propellants |
| C. Nitrous oxide | iii. Fossil fuel combustion |
| D. Chlorofluorocarbons | iv. Application of nitrogen-based agricultural fertilizers |
Explanation
Carbon dioxide primarily originates from burning fossil fuels, while methane is released during enteric fermentation in livestock. Nitrous oxide emissions are largely linked to the application of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture. Synthetic chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons were historically used as refrigerants and propellants. Identifying these specific sources is crucial for developing targeted emission reduction strategies globally.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Land degradation in drylands resulting from climatic variations and various human activities. |
| 2 | (a) Water vapour |
| 3 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. |
| 4 | (d) Implementation of agroforestry systems |
| 5 | (a) I and II only |
| 6 | (b) Stratosphere |
| 7 | (d) Widespread land-use changes and deforestation |
| 8 | (a) I, II, III and V only |
| 9 | (c) It assesses scientific and technical information relevant to understanding human-induced climate change. |
| 10 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii |
Key facts from Environmental Issues: Desertification, Deforestation, Climate Change and Ozone Depletion
- Water vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas, and the ozone layer lies in the stratosphere.
- The IPCC was established in 1988; the order is Montreal Protocol, IPCC, UNFCCC, Paris Agreement.
- The Kigali Amendment of 2016 targets the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
- The Amazon Basin has the highest absolute rate of tropical deforestation and holds about half the world’s remaining tropical rainforest.
- The Great Green Wall is an African initiative; about 30 per cent of India’s area is undergoing land degradation or desertification.
- In the Thar desert, wind erosion and shifting sand dunes are the most widespread problem; poor drainage in irrigated dry land causes salinisation.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Environmental Issues: Desertification, Deforestation, Climate Change and Ozone Depletion?
This page has 75 practice MCQs on Environmental Issues: Desertification, Deforestation, Climate Change and Ozone Depletion (World Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
When was the IPCC established?
In 1988, by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme. It assesses the science of climate change and its reports guide the climate negotiations, including the Paris Agreement.
What does the Kigali Amendment target?
The phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are strong greenhouse gases used in cooling. It was adopted in 2016 as an amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which was originally made to protect the ozone layer.
What is the Great Green Wall?
An African initiative to restore land and plant a belt of trees across the Sahel, south of the Sahara. Its aim is to fight desertification, improve food security and support local communities.