Which succession type occurs on newly formed volcanic islands like those in the Indian Ocean?
Answer: B
Primary succession occurs on bare, lifeless substrates where no soil exists, such as newly formed volcanic islands.
Q.62Medium
According to India's National Green Tribunal (NGT) 2024 decisions, which industrial effluent poses the greatest threat to the Yamuna River ecosystem?
Answer: B
Leather tanning wastes contain high concentrations of chromium and other heavy metals that severely degrade aquatic ecosystems.
Q.63Medium
In a forest biome, if 1000 kg of plant biomass is available at the producer level, approximately how much energy would be available at the secondary consumer level (assuming 10% energy transfer)?
Answer: B
Following the 10% law: Producers (1000 kg) → Primary consumers (100 kg) → Secondary consumers (10 kg).
Q.64Easy
Which biotic potential would be highest for a species in ideal laboratory conditions?
Answer: B
Intrinsic rate of increase (biotic potential) is expressed as λ and represents maximum reproductive capacity under ideal conditions.
Q.65Medium
In India's coral reef ecosystems, what is the primary cause of coral bleaching observed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands since 2020?
Answer: B
Elevated sea surface temperatures stress coral-zooxanthellae relationships, causing bleaching. This has been documented extensively in Andaman reefs.
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Q.66Medium
Which statement about India's Project Tiger is most accurate?
Answer: B
India's tiger population has shown significant recovery, increasing from approximately 1400 tigers in 2006 to over 3700 by 2023 census.
Q.67Medium
In the bioaccumulation of DDT pesticide in aquatic food chains, which organism typically shows the highest concentration?
Answer: D
Biomagnification causes DDT concentration to increase at higher trophic levels, with apex predators (birds) showing highest concentrations.
Q.68Medium
Which of the following represents a density-dependent factor in the Indian subcontinent ecosystems?
Answer: B
Interspecific competition is density-dependent as its effect increases with population density. Environmental factors like rainfall are density-independent.
Q.69Medium
In India's mangrove ecosystems, which species serves as the keystone species maintaining ecosystem structure?
Answer: B
Rhizophora species form the structural foundation of mangrove ecosystems, providing nursery grounds and stabilizing sediment for other organisms.
Q.70Medium
According to India's Climate Action Plan, what is the target reduction in carbon emissions intensity by 2030?
Answer: B
India has committed to reducing emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 from 2005 baseline levels as part of its NDC.
Q.71Hard
In a stable tropical forest ecosystem with high biodiversity, which Shannon diversity index range would be most appropriate?
Answer: C
High biodiversity ecosystems typically show Shannon index values between 2.5-4.0, reflecting greater species diversity and evenness.
Q.72Easy
Which of the following adaptations would be most beneficial for organisms in the Thar Desert ecosystem?
Answer: B
Desert organisms show adaptations like nocturnal behavior to avoid heat, and physiological mechanisms to conserve water.
Q.73Medium
In India's Eastern Ghats, the replacement of natural forest by monoculture plantations would result in:
Answer: C
Monoculture plantations reduce species and genetic diversity, making ecosystems more vulnerable to disturbances and less stable.
Q.74Hard
Which mechanism explains the coexistence of multiple predator species in the Indian savanna without competitive exclusion?
Answer: A
Niche partitioning allows different predator species to exploit different resources or hunting strategies, reducing direct competition.
Q.75Medium
According to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which India ratified, what is the current target for protecting land-based ecosystems?
Answer: B
The CBD's post-2020 global biodiversity framework targets 30% land protection by 2030, known as the '30 by 30' target.
Q.76Easy
In India's aquatic ecosystems, eutrophication is primarily caused by excessive amounts of which nutrients?
Answer: B
Nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff and sewage cause algal blooms and eutrophication in Indian water bodies.
Q.77Hard
In a predator-prey relationship within Indian grasslands, population cycles demonstrate Lotka-Volterra equations. If prey population peaks, the predator population would peak approximately:
Answer: C
Lotka-Volterra cycles show predator population lags behind prey by approximately 90 degrees, peaking after prey abundance increases.
Q.78Easy
Which of the following is the correct sequence of ecological succession in a freshwater pond ecosystem?
Answer: A
Ecological succession in freshwater ecosystems follows a predictable pattern starting with pioneer algae, progressing to submerged aquatic vegetation, then emergent plants, and finally leading to terrestrial vegetation as the habitat transitions.
Q.79Easy
The energy transfer efficiency from one trophic level to the next in an ecosystem is approximately:
Answer: B
The Lindeman 10% law states that only approximately 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, with the remaining 90% lost as heat, respiration, and incomplete consumption.
Q.80Easy
Which of the following represents a biotic potential in population ecology?
Answer: A
Biotic potential refers to the inherent capacity of an organism to reproduce and increase in numbers when environmental conditions are optimal and resources are unlimited.
