Previous year MCQs

Environment & Ecology UPPSC 2024 GS-I
Question

Which of the following reasons caused catastrophic coral bleaching and mass coral deaths in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

Answer & Solution

Answer: (Detailed Solution Below)

Option B: Increase of 2° C temperature in the Indian Ocean

Detailed Solution:

The correct answer is “Increase of 2° C temperature in the Indian Ocean”.
Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues due to environmental stress, primarily caused by rising sea temperatures.

In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the primary cause of catastrophic coral bleaching and mass coral deaths has been the increase in sea surface temperature, particularly during marine heatwaves and El Niño events.

Industrial activities in coastal regions and heavy marine pollution can degrade coral reefs but are not the primary causes of mass bleaching.

A decrease of temperature by 4° C is unlikely, as corals thrive in warm tropical waters and are more sensitive to excessive heat rather than extreme cooling.

Similar Questions:

A bus covers the first half of a certain distance with speed v1 and the second half with a speed v2. The average speed during the whole journey is:
  1. A) v1v2/(v1+v2)
  2. B) 2v1v2/(v1+v2)
  3. C) (v1+v2)/2
  4. D) √v1v2
With reference to "FLY91" which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a newly launched airline in India.
2. Its inaugural flight took off from Manohar International Airport on 18th March, 2024.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
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  2. B) Neither 1 nor 2
  3. C) Only 1
  4. D) Both 1 and 2
The size of the Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter [R.S.P.M] in the air is:
  1. A) more than 7 µm [microne]
  2. B) more than 6 µm [microne]
  3. C) more than 5 µm [microne]
  4. D) less than 5 µm [microne]
Which of the following regions of India have been designated as biodiversity hot spots? Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

1. Eastern Himalaya
2. Eastern Ghat
3. Western Ghat
4. Western Himalaya

Codes:
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  2. B) 1 and 3 only
  3. C) 2 and 4 only
  4. D) 3 and 4 only
With reference to "PraVaHa" software developed by ISRO, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a path-breaking feat by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
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  3. C) Only 1
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Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).

Assertion (A): Development is being defined as improving living standards and welfare.
Reason (R): Growth in per capita income is not a sufficient measure of development.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
  1. A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
  2. B) (A) is false, but (R) is true
  3. C) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
  4. D) (A) is true, but (R) is false
The minimum area of the land required to completely sustain the life of one person is called his
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  2. B) Ecological foot print
  3. C) Biome
  4. D) Niche
With reference to RudraM-II Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is an air-to-air missile.
2. It was tested in Rajasthan in May 2024.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
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  2. B) Neither 1 nor 2
  3. C) Only 1
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Which among the following is the secondary pollutant?
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  2. B) Carbondioxide
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Given below are two statements:

Assertion (A): Natural vegetation is the true index of climate.
Reason (R): Water-loving plants are found in moist climate.

In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?
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  2. B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A
  3. C) (A) is true, but (R) is false
  4. D) (B) is false, but (R) is true
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Assertion (A): Red soil denotes the second largest soil group of India.
Reason (R) : Red soil surrounds the black soil in the south, east and north directions.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
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  2. B) (A) is false, but (R) is true
  3. C) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of(A)
  4. D) (A) is true but (R) is false
Who has propounded the concept of 'Limit to Growth'?
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  2. B) UNESCO
  3. C) Brundtland Commission
  4. D) Agenda 21