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:

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other as Reason (R) :

Assertion (A) : Various components of an ecosystem are not interdependent,
Reason (R) : Human activities have an impact on the environment.
  1. A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is correct explanation of (A)
  2. B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not correct explanation of (A)
  3. C) (A) is true, but (R) is false
  4. D) (A) is false, but (R) is true
Which of the following reasons caused catastrophic coral bleaching and mass coral deaths in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
  1. A) Increased industrial activities in the coastal regions
  2. B) Increase of 2° C temperature in the Indian Ocean
  3. C) Heavy marine pollution
  4. D) Decrease of temperature by 4° C in the Indian Ocean
Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).

Assertion (A): Sustainable development is important for well being of human society.

Reason (R): Sustainable development is a kind of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Codes:
  1. A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
  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) (A) is false, but (R) is true
Among the biotic components of the ecosystem, the producer system is:
  1. A) Cow
  2. B) Peacock
  3. C) Tiger
  4. D) Green Plants
Which of the following fuels would produce minimum environmental pollution?
  1. A) Hydrogen
  2. B) Diesel
  3. C) Kerosene
  4. D) Coal
Which is the most stable ecosystem?
  1. A) Marine (ocean)
  2. B) Forest
  3. C) Mountain
  4. D) Desert
The national forest policy aims at maintaining how much of the total geographical area under forests:
  1. A) One-fourth
  2. B) Half
  3. C) One-fifth
  4. D) One-third
Endangered species are listed in:
  1. A) Dead Stock Book
  2. B) Red Data Book
  3. C) Live Stock Book
  4. D) None of the above
The biggest contribution to air pollution in Calcutta is:
  1. A) automobiles
  2. B) power plants
  3. C) small scale industrial units
  4. D) tanneries
Match the following list-I with list-II and select, the correct answer from the code given below the Lists:
List-I (States) - List-II (National parks)

A. Uttar Pradesh - 1. Bandipur
B. Assam - 2. Rajaji National Park
C. Orissa - 3. Similipal
D. Karnataka - 4. Manas

Code:
A B C D
  1. A) 1 2 3 4
  2. B) 2 4 3 1
  3. C) 4 3 2 1
  4. D) 2 3 1 4
Consider the following statements:
An Amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by the:

1. LokSabha 2. RajyaSabha
3. State Legislatures 4. President of India

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
  1. A) 1,2 and 3
  2. B) 1 and 2
  3. C) Only 1
  4. D) 2, 3 and 4
Consider the following statements:

1. Scientific investigation depends on commitment to practical ideals.
2 Honesty is particularly important in science.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
  1. A) Both statements 1 and 2 are correct
  2. B) Both statements 1 and 2 are incorrect
  3. C) Statement 1 is correct, 2 is not correct
  4. D) Statement 1 is correct, 2 is unpredictable