Q21. When a forest is cleared for agriculture, a significant amount of carbon is released into the atmosphere. This carbon originates primarily from which two components of the forest ecosystem?
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 21–30 of 75 questions
Q22. Which of the following represents the correct chronological sequence of the establishment or adoption of these major environmental milestones?
Explanation
Environmental governance evolved through several key milestones starting with the 1987 Montreal Protocol. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change followed in 1988 to assess climate science. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was then adopted in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit. Finally, the Paris Agreement was established in 2015, representing the modern era of climate action.
Q23. Identify the odd one out among the following typical consequences of unchecked global warming.
Explanation
Global warming brings more extreme weather, shifts growing seasons and bleaches corals. It shrinks glaciers rather than expanding them in the mid-latitudes, so D is the odd one out.
Q24. Deforestation leads to an immediate increase in soil erosion primarily because:
Explanation
Trees play a vital role in stabilizing soil through their extensive root systems, which bind soil particles together. When forests are cleared, this physical support is lost, making the ground highly susceptible to erosion by wind and rain. Additionally, the removal of the canopy exposes the soil surface to direct impact from raindrops, further accelerating the degradation process.
Q25. Consider the following statements regarding the Sahel region’s desertification:
I. The Sahel experiences a highly variable rainfall pattern that makes it naturally vulnerable to prolonged droughts.
II. Rapid population growth has led to over-cultivation, depleting soil nutrients.
III. The region is located entirely within the northern hemisphere.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The Sahel experiences a highly variable rainfall pattern that makes it naturally vulnerable to prolonged droughts.
II. Rapid population growth has led to over-cultivation, depleting soil nutrients.
III. The region is located entirely within the northern hemisphere.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Sahel is located in the northern hemisphere and experiences natural climate variability that makes it prone to drought. Human factors, such as over-cultivation driven by population growth, exacerbate these vulnerabilities by depleting soil health. This combination of physical and anthropogenic stressors leads to widespread land degradation. Addressing these issues requires integrated strategies that consider both environmental and social dynamics.
Q26. In which year was the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) established by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)?
Explanation
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was founded in 1988 through the joint efforts of two United Nations bodies.
Q27. Which of the following statements about the ozone layer is INCORRECT?
Explanation
Stratospheric ozone is essential for life as it absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation. However, ground-level or tropospheric ozone is a harmful pollutant and a key component of smog. It is produced by chemical reactions between sunlight and emissions from vehicles and industry. Exposure to this ozone can cause respiratory issues and damage vegetation, making it a significant environmental and health concern.
Q28. Consider the following statements regarding the causes of desertification globally:
I. Overgrazing removes vegetative cover, exposing soil to wind and water erosion.
II. Deforestation for fuelwood is a significant driver of desertification in developing nations.
III. Sustainable crop rotation practices accelerate the rate of desertification.
IV. Improper irrigation can lead to salinization, making soils toxic to crops.
V. Prolonged natural droughts exacerbate human-induced land degradation.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. Overgrazing removes vegetative cover, exposing soil to wind and water erosion.
II. Deforestation for fuelwood is a significant driver of desertification in developing nations.
III. Sustainable crop rotation practices accelerate the rate of desertification.
IV. Improper irrigation can lead to salinization, making soils toxic to crops.
V. Prolonged natural droughts exacerbate human-induced land degradation.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Desertification is driven by unsustainable practices like overgrazing, deforestation for fuel, and improper irrigation leading to salinization. Conversely, sustainable crop rotation is a beneficial agricultural technique that helps maintain soil fertility and structure. It reduces the risk of land degradation rather than accelerating it. Therefore, promoting such sustainable methods is a key strategy in the global fight against encroaching desertification.
Q29. In the context of Rajasthan’s Thar desert, which of the following is the most widespread physical process of land degradation leading to desertification?
Explanation
In the arid environment of western Rajasthan, wind is the dominant agent of land degradation. The lack of dense vegetation allows strong winds to transport loose soil and sand, leading to the movement of sand dunes. This process can bury fertile agricultural land and infrastructure, significantly contributing to desertification. Stabilization efforts often focus on using biological barriers to reduce wind velocity.
Q30. Match List-I with List-II regarding the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) structure:
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
| IPCC Body | Primary Focus |
|---|---|
| A. Working Group I | i. Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability |
| B. Working Group II | ii. Mitigation of Climate Change |
| C. Working Group III | iii. The Physical Science Basis |
| D. Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories | iv. Methodologies for calculating GHG emissions and removals |
Explanation
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is organized into specific groups to manage complex scientific information. Working Group I focuses on the physical science basis, while Group II examines impacts and adaptation strategies. Mitigation efforts are the domain of Working Group III. Finally, a specialized task force develops methodologies for calculating and reporting national greenhouse gas emissions and removals globally.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (c) The biomass of the trees and the organic matter in the soil |
| 22 | (a) Montreal Protocol, Establishment of IPCC, UNFCCC, Paris Agreement |
| 23 | (d) Expansion of glacial mass in the mid- latitudes |
| 24 | (a) Loss of root systems removes the soil’s structural binding, increasing wind and water vulnerability. |
| 25 | (d) I, II and III |
| 26 | (b) 1988 |
| 27 | (d) Ozone found in the troposphere at ground level is highly beneficial and directly protects human respiratory health. |
| 28 | (b) III only |
| 29 | (c) Wind erosion and the shifting of sand dunes |
| 30 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-iv |
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.