Environment 2022 Flashcards
1
Q
Which crop is the most important anthropogenic source of both methane and nitrous oxide?
A
Rice
Rice cultivation is a leading global agricultural source of anthropogenic methane emissions, responsible for 11% of total anthropogenic CH4 emissions.
2
Q
What are important anthropogenic sources of biogenic methane?
A
- Wet rice fields
- Cattle
- Animal waste
- Landfills
- Biomass burning
3
Q
What are important anthropogenic sources of biogenic nitrous oxide?
A
- Land-use change
- Fertilizer production and use
- Manure application
4
Q
What temperature range is optimal for cotton vegetative growth?
A
21-27°C
Cotton can tolerate temperatures up to 43°C but is detrimental below 21°C.
5
Q
Which insect pests are commonly found in cotton crops?
A
- Jassids/Aphids
- Thrips
- White flies
- Bollworms
6
Q
Name a few diseases affecting cotton.
A
- Bacterial blight
- Fungal leafspots
- Grey mildew
- Boll rot
- Root rot
- Leaf curl
- Leaf reddening
7
Q
What climatic conditions are necessary for rice production?
A
- Hot, humid atmosphere
- High humidity
- Continuous sunshine
- Reliable water supply
8
Q
What percentage of Earth’s fresh water is used by rice production?
A
Almost a third
9
Q
Which country is the top rice-producing country globally?
A
China
10
Q
What is the highest temperature rice can tolerate?
A
40° to 42°C
11
Q
What are the top sugarcane producing states in India?
A
- Maharashtra
- Uttar Pradesh
- Karnataka
12
Q
What is the main use of sugarcane?
A
- Making sugar
- Producing ethanol
- Producing paper
13
Q
What is the ideal soil type for sugarcane cultivation?
A
Deep rich loamy soil with neutral soil reactivity (pH 6.5 to 7.5)
14
Q
Which crop is a Rabi crop harvested between February and May?
A
Wheat
15
Q
What is the major wheat-growing state in India?
A
- Uttar Pradesh
- Punjab
- Haryana
- Madhya Pradesh
- Rajasthan
- Bihar
- Gujarat
16
Q
What is the percentage of world wheat production contributed by India?
A
Around 13.5%
17
Q
How many pairs of wetland/lake locations are correctly matched?
A
Only two pairs
18
Q
What is the Climate Action Tracker?
A
A database created by a coalition of research organisations.
19
Q
What is the main role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?
A
To provide scientific information and technical guidance on climate change.
20
Q
What is the nodal agency for the UNFCCC in India?
A
Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
21
Q
What countries are categorized under Annex I in the UNFCCC?
A
Developed countries
22
Q
What is the purpose of the Climate Group?
A
To drive climate action by building large networks.
23
Q
What is the goal of the Under2 Coalition?
A
To achieve greenhouse gas emissions mitigation.
24
Q
Fill in the blank: The Climate Group launched a global initiative called _______.
A
EP100
25
What is the Under2 Coalition?
A coalition formed to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2050.
26
How many governments are signatories to the Under2 Coalition as of October 2022?
270 governments.
27
What is the target for greenhouse gas emission reductions set by the Under2 Coalition?
80 to 95 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 or less than 2 metric tons per capita annually.
28
When was the International Energy Agency (IEA) established?
During the oil crisis of 1973-1974.
29
What is the main purpose of the IEA?
To respond to physical disruptions in global oil supplies and provide data about the energy sector.
30
Where is the IEA based?
Paris.
31
What role does the IEA play for its member countries?
Acts as a policy adviser.
32
What are wetlands often referred to as?
The kidneys of the landscape.
33
What is a wetland defined as?
Areas of marshes, fen, peatland, or water, natural or artificial, with water covering the soil.
34
What is one ecological service provided by wetlands?
Filtering and capturing sediment.
35
What is the WHO guideline for the 24-hour mean of PM2.5?
Should not exceed 15 µg/m³.
36
Which pollutants are included in the WHO Air Quality Guidelines?
* Particulate matter (PM)
* Ozone (O3)
* Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
* Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
* Carbon monoxide (CO)
37
What is the definition of inclement weather?
Existence of rain or abnormal climatic conditions making work unsafe.
38
What is Gucchi commonly known as?
Morel Mushrooms.
39
What is the scientific name of Gucchi mushroom?
Morchella Esculenta.
40
What is a characteristic feature of fungi?
Chitin in their cell walls.
41
What is Polyethylene terephthalate commonly known as?
PET.
42
What is one advantage of Polyethylene terephthalate?
It is easily recycled.
43
Which of the following is not a bird?
Golden Mahseer.
44
What is the scientific name of Golden Mahseer?
Tor putitora.
45
What type of habitat does the Indian Nightjar prefer?
Open lands across South Asia and Southeast Asia.
46
What is the IUCN status of the Indian Nightjar?
Least Concern.
47
Which family do Spoonbills belong to?
Platalea.
48
What is a nitrogen-fixing plant example?
Alfalfa.
49
Fill in the blank: Nitrogen fixation is the process of transforming __________ into more reactive compounds.
atmospheric N2.
50
Which of the following statements about wetlands is true?
They help regulate water and provide habitat for wildlife.
51
What is nitrogen fixation?
The transformation of atmospheric N2 into more reactive compounds like nitrates, nitrites, or ammonia
## Footnote
Nitrogen fixation is the essential biological process and the initial stage of the nitrogen cycle.
52
Which bacteria are known for converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia?
Certain bacterial species like Rhizobium and Azotobacter
## Footnote
These bacteria play a crucial role in nitrogen fixation.
53
What are nitrogen-fixing plants?
Plants with roots colonized by bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form
## Footnote
This process helps plants grow by providing essential nitrogen.
54
Which legume is known as the 'King of Nitrogen Fixation'?
Alfalfa
## Footnote
Alfalfa makes more residual nitrogen available to subsequent crops than any other legume.
55
What role does chickpea play in agriculture?
It improves soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen
## Footnote
Chickpea is a significant nitrogen-fixing crop.
56
What is the main benefit of nitrogen-fixing cover crops?
They participate in nitrogen fixation and protect soil from erosion
## Footnote
Additional benefits include improving soil fertility, retaining moisture, and attracting pollinators.
57
What is Bio Rock technology used for?
Restoration of damaged coral reefs
## Footnote
It involves electro accumulation of minerals to form structures that support coral growth.
58
What is the N-Treat technology?
A seven-stage process for waste treatment using natural filtration methods and disinfection
## Footnote
It is an environmentally friendly way for sewage treatment.
59
What is the Miyawaki method known for?
Creation of mini forests in urban areas
## Footnote
This technique promotes dense, native forest growth in a short time.
60
What does the Miyawaki process involve?
Examine soil texture, select native species, prepare the ground, and maintain the forest for 3 years
## Footnote
This method ensures self-sustaining vegetation within 2 to 3 years.
61
What is the India Sanitation Coalition?
A multi-stakeholder platform to promote sustainable sanitation
## Footnote
It was launched in 2015 and supports an ecosystem for sustainable sanitation.
62
What does the National Institute of Urban Affairs do?
Provides innovative solutions to urban challenges in India
## Footnote
It is an apex body supported by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
63
What is the Central Ground Water Authority?
An authority constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate groundwater resources
## Footnote
It has powers to issue directions and manage groundwater development.
64
What best describes the Polar Code?
The international code of safety for ships operating in polar waters
## Footnote
It provides a framework for ships in polar regions to enhance safety and environmental protection.
65
What is greenwashing?
Conveying a false impression that a company’s products are eco-friendly
## Footnote
It is an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers about environmental friendliness.
66
According to Indian law, who owns wild animals?
Wild animals are the sole property of the government
## Footnote
This is stated in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
67
Which organisms are well known as cultivators of fungi?
Ants
## Footnote
Certain species of ants maintain a mutualistic relationship with fungi, using them as a food source.
68
What is the legal status of catching and killing horseshoe crabs?
It is an offense
## Footnote
This highlights the need for conservation measures for horseshoe crabs.
69
What has the Zoological Survey of India suggested for the habitat of horseshoe crabs?
Declare as Eco-Sensitive Zones
## Footnote
This is aimed at their conservation and proper management.
70
What is the common name for the spider belonging to the Genus Poecilotheria?
Peacock Parachute Spider or Gooty Tarantula
## Footnote
This species is found in the Pakkamalai Reserve Forests in Tamil Nadu.
71
What conservation status has the IUCN assigned to the Peacock Parachute Spider?
Critically Endangered
## Footnote
This designation reflects the species' risk of extinction.
72
Where is the Peacock Parachute Spider endemic to?
India
## Footnote
It is specifically found in the Eastern Ghats.
73
What is the known habitat of the Peacock Parachute Spider?
Degraded forests near Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh
## Footnote
This is part of the Eastern Ghats.
74
What is the term for the deposition of wet or dry acidic materials from the atmosphere?
Acid rain
## Footnote
This phenomenon affects soil, water, and ecosystems.
75
Who discovered the phenomenon of acid rain?
Robert Angus Smith
## Footnote
He was a pharmacist from Manchester, UK.
76
What pollutants contribute to acid rain?
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide
## Footnote
These pollutants are released from burning fossil fuels.
77
What acids are produced from the pollutants that cause acid rain?
Sulfuric acid and nitric acid
## Footnote
They form when pollutants combine with moisture in the air.
78
What are some effects of acid rain on the environment?
Pollutes soil and water, reduces crop growth, destroys buildings
## Footnote
Acid rain can also harm aquatic life.
79
What respiratory problems can acid rain contribute to?
Asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema
## Footnote
These health issues are exacerbated by air pollution.
80
Fill in the blank: Natural resources of sulfur include ______.
Seas and oceans, volcanic eruptions, biological processes
## Footnote
These are natural sources contributing to sulfur emissions.
81
What are some man-made sources of sulfur that contribute to acid rain?
Burning of coal, petroleum products, smelting of metal ores
## Footnote
These activities release significant amounts of sulfur dioxide.
82
Fill in the blank: Natural resources of nitrogen include ______.
Lightning, volcanic eruptions
## Footnote
These are natural sources contributing to nitrogen emissions.
83
What anthropogenic sources contribute to nitrogen emissions?
Forest fires, combustion of oil, coal, and gas
## Footnote
These activities increase nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere.
84
Excess of which compounds in the environment causes acid rain?
Nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide
## Footnote
These compounds form acids when combined with rainwater.
85
Which statement is true about the causes of acid rain: 1) Carbon monoxide, 2) Nitrogen oxide, 3) Ozone, 4) Sulphur dioxide?
2 and 4 only
## Footnote
These are the correct pollutants that lead to acid rain.
