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 and mass coral deaths are primarily caused by temperature stress. Corals are highly sensitive to temperature changes, and even a small increase in the sea temperature can cause them to expel the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) living within their tissues.

These algae are crucial for coral survival, as they provide energy to the corals through photosynthesis. When corals expel these algae due to stress, they turn white (bleach), and if the temperature remains elevated for an extended period, it can lead to coral death.

In the case of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a rise in sea temperature by approximately 2°C was a significant factor in the catastrophic coral bleaching events observed in recent years. This temperature increase is largely attributed to global warming and climate change.

Similar Questions:

A species is considered to be extinct if it has been seen in its natural
  1. A) 15 years
  2. B) 25 years
  3. C) 40 years
  4. D) 50 years
Who has propounded the concept of 'Limit to Growth'?
  1. A) Club of Rome
  2. B) UNESCO
  3. C) Brundtland Commission
  4. D) Agenda 21
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
"Project Tiger" of the Government envisages:
  1. A) To observe the habits of the tiger
  2. B) Collect vital information about different species
  3. C) To save the Indian tiger from extinction
  4. D) None of these
What does the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasise regarding reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission?

1. Gradual and limited reductions are enough.
2. Deep, rapid and sustained reductions are essential.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
  1. A) Both 1 and 2
  2. B) Neither 1 nor 2
  3. C) Only 1
  4. D) Only 2
Consider the following statements regarding Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS):

1. India recently concluded its 2nd Voice of Global South Summit.
2. The term Global South is related to developed countries.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
  1. A) Only 2
  2. B) Neither 1 nor 2
  3. C) Only 1
  4. D) Both 1 and 2
Which of the following is the most significant factor in coral bleaching?
  1. A) Mining of coral rocks
  2. B) Outbreak of coral diseases
  3. C) Siltation of seawater
  4. D) Global warming
What is true about ecosystem?
  1. A) Primary Consumers are least dependent Upon Producer
  2. B) Primary Consumers are out-number producers
  3. C) Producers are more than Primary Consumers
  4. D) Secondary Consumers are the largest and most powerful
The minimum forest cover to maintain ecological balance in the plains is:
  1. A) 50%
  2. B) 40%
  3. C) 33%
  4. D) 25%
Which of the following is NOT a green house gas?
  1. A) Argon
  2. B) Chlorofluorocarbon
  3. C) Methane
  4. D) Carbon dioxide
Which of the following is considered to be the optimum concentration of carbon dioxide for natural balance in atmosphere?
  1. A) 0.02%
  2. B) 0.03%
  3. C) 0.04%
  4. D) 0.05%
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?
  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) (B) is false, but (R) is true