Biodiversity Lite

Question 1

Biodiversity

Answer 1

It is the sum total of the number of species of plants, animals and micro-organisms inhabiting a particular defined area or habitat

Question 2

Types of biodiversity

Answer 2

1. Species diversity
2. Genetic diversity
3. Ecosystem diversity

Question 3

Species diversity

Answer 3

Variety of
species within a region. ExampleWestern Ghats have different species
of Amphibians.

Question 4

genetic diversity

Answer 4

Variation of
genes within species. Example- India
has 1000 genetically different strains of
Mango.

Question 5

Ecosystem diversity

Answer 5

Ecosystem
with different landforms that support
different and specific vegetation.
Example- Xerophytes and Mesophytes
(Plants), Arboreal, Curssorial, Fussorial
(Animals)

Question 6

NEED FOR SPECIES DIVERSITY

Answer 6

❖ Narrowly utilitarian- Humans derive
food, fodder, fuel, fertilizer and fiber which
is also economically beneficial.
❖ Broadly utilitarian- Forests provide
Oxygen
Carbon sinks
Rainfall
Forest canopy
Pollination
Aesthetic pleasure
❖ Ethical- Every species has the right to live
on Earth. It is the moral duty to take care
of their well-being and believe in coexistence

Question 7

CAUSES OF LOSS OF
BIODIVERSITY

Answer 7

❖ Habitat loss and Fragmentation
❖ Pet trade
❖ Alien-Species Invasion
❖ Co-extinction

Question 8

In-situ conservation

Answer 8

Conservation of animal/plant species in their natural habitat
E.g. Biosphere reserve, National park, wildlife sanctuary, sacred groves

Question 9

biosphere
reserve

Answer 9

A site recognized by UNESCO for conservation of flora and fauna with distinct zonation

Sunderbans Biosphere
Reserve, West Bengal

Question 10

National Park

Answer 10

Conservation site governed by National Government.
Grazing, Forestry and cultivation is not permitted

Jim Corbett National Park,
Uttarakhand

Question 11

Wildlife
Sanctuary

Answer 11

Conservation especially of fauna. Harvesting of
timber is permitted without interfering with the welfare
of animals.

Annamalai Sanctuary, Tamil
Nadu

Question 12

Sacred groves

Answer 12

Tracts of forested land conserved on the basis of religious beliefs

Khasi hills of meghalaya

Question 13

Ex-situ conservation

Answer 13

Conservation of animal/plant species away from their natural habitat

1. Captive breeding
2. Zoological park
3. Botanical garden
4. Cryopreservation
5. Wildlife safari
6. Seed bank

Question 14

Captive breeding

Answer 14

It is the breeding of animal species (rare/
endangered) in captivity

Bengal tiger breeding in
captivity

Question 15

Zoological park

Answer 15

it is an establishment which maintains a collection of plant/animal species for study, conservation and display to the public

Rajiv Gandhi zoological park pune

Question 16

Botanical Garden

Answer 16

It is an establishment where plant species are grown for scientific study and display to the public

Empress Garden, Pune

Question 17

Cryopreservation

Answer 17

Preservation at -196 degree C in liquid nitrogen

Embryo, seeds, cells,
tissue

Question 18

Wildlife safari

Answer 18

It is also called a wildlife park. It is a commercial
area of conservation with a drive-in tourist attraction

San Diego Safari Park,
California

Question 19

Seed Bank

Answer 19

It stores seeds for genetic diversity

Kew’s Millennium Seed
Bank- England

Question 20

in situ advantages

Answer 20

❑ Species and its habitat is
conserved.
❑ Larger population can be
conserved.
❑ Helps increase in population
density

Question 21

in situ disadvantages

Answer 21

❑ Difficult to control poaching
❑ Monitoring Prey-Predator ratio
❑ Difficult to monitor diseases and
distress.
❑ Can lead to inbreeding and loss of
genetic diversity
❑ Economic constraints

Question 22

ex situ advantages

Answer 22

❑ Restore the population from a
threatened habitat
❑ When population size of a specific
species reduces at an alarming
rate, captive breeding is the only
solution.
❑ Health is monitored and disease is
treated

Question 23

ex situ disadvantages

Answer 23

❑ Conservation is restricted to
smaller population.
❑ Living in a habitat away from their
natural habitat
❑ Economic constraints in creating
and managing the environment.
❑ Lack of staff who understands the
flora and fauna.
❑ Lack of scientific knowledge.

Question 24

RAMSAR SITES

Answer 24

These are wetlands of International importance.
United Kingdom has the largest number of Ramsar sites (170).
Wetlands are the most threatened ecosystems in India.
Example- Chilka lake, Odisha

Question 25

HOTSPOTS

Answer 25

A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with
significant levels of biodiversity that is threatened by human
habitation.
Example- Madagascar

Question 26

RED DATA BOOK

Answer 26

The Red Data Book is the state document established for
documenting rare and endangered species of animals, plants
and fungi as well as some local sub-species that exist within the
territory of the state or country

Question 27

❑ EARTH SUMMIT

Answer 27

Also called as The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development(UNCED).
PLACE: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
YEAR: 1992

Question 28

earth summit agenda

Answer 28

AGENDA: Issued addressed are:
Systematic scrutiny of production of toxic components like lead in gasoline and radioactive
chemicals around the world.
Alternate source of energy to replace fossil fuels.
Public transport systems to reduce vehicle emissions.
Monitor usage and supply of water

Question 29

earth summit result

Answer 29

Agenda 21(sustainable development),
Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, The Statement of Forested Principles

Question 30

❑ WORLD SUMMIT on Sustainable Development

Answer 30

PLACE: Johannesburg, South Africa
YEAR: 2002
AGENDA: Setting deadlines for Poverty eradication, Health, water and sanitation, Agriculture,
Fisheries, Energy, Biodiversity and Climate change