Conservation Methods & Biodiversity Hotspots MCQs

1. Conservation within the natural habitats is:

a) In-situ conservation b) Ex-situ conservation c) In-vivo conservation d) Ex-vivo conservation

Correct Answer: a) In-situ conservation

Explanation:
In-situ conservation means protecting species in their natural habitats. This approach maintains recovering populations in the environment where they have developed their distinctive properties, preserving the entire ecosystem including the species.

2. Ex-situ conservation includes:

a) Botanical gardens b) Zoo c) Germplasm bank d) All of the above

Correct Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation:
Ex-situ conservation involves protecting species outside their natural habitats. This includes botanical gardens (for plants), zoos (for animals), and germplasm banks (for seeds, eggs, sperm or tissue samples). These serve as backup populations and for research/education.

3. Protection of wild flora and fauna in the natural habitat is achieved by:

a) In-situ conservation b) Ex-situ conservation c) In-vivo conservation d) Ex-vivo conservation

Correct Answer: a) In-situ conservation

Explanation:
In-situ conservation is the most effective way to protect whole communities and ecosystems. It maintains evolutionary processes and adaptations in natural environments through protected areas like national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves.

4. Examples of In-situ conservation:

a) National parks b) Sanctuaries and Reserve forests c) Biosphere Reserves d) All the above

Correct Answer: d) All the above

Explanation:
In-situ conservation methods include: (1) National parks (strict protection), (2) Wildlife sanctuaries (protection with some human activities allowed), and (3) Biosphere reserves (core, buffer and transition zones for conservation and sustainable use). India has over 900 protected areas.

5. Hotspots are regions of high:

a) Endemism b) Diversity c) Rarity d) Critically endangered population

Correct Answer: a) Endemism

Explanation:
Biodiversity hotspots must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics (>0.5% of world's total) and have lost at least 70% of primary vegetation. High endemism means species found nowhere else, making these areas crucial for conservation.

6. Which of the following area is the hotspot of India?

a) Sunderbans Delta b) Western Ghats c) Eastern Ghats d) Gangetic Plain

Correct Answer: b) Western Ghats

Explanation:
The Western Ghats is one of India's four biodiversity hotspots (with Himalayas, Indo-Burma, and Sundaland). This mountain range along India's west coast has over 7,400 species of flowering plants (5,000 endemic) and 1,800 endemic animal species.

7. Which of the following indicates Hotspots?

a) High species richness of plants b) High species richness of animals c) High species richness of plants and high levels of species endemism d) All the above

Correct Answer: c) High species richness of plants and high levels of species endemism

Explanation:
To qualify as a hotspot, a region must meet two criteria: (1) Contain at least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species, and (2) Have lost at least 70% of its original habitat. Plant diversity is used because plants form the base of ecosystems and are well-documented.

8. Who introduced the term "Hotspots" in biodiversity?

a) Norman Myers b) Aziz Ab'Saber c) Charles Christopher Adam d) Warder Clyde Allee

Correct Answer: a) Norman Myers

Explanation:
British ecologist Norman Myers coined the term "biodiversity hotspot" in 1988. His original paper identified 10 tropical forest hotspots based on their high plant endemism and habitat loss. The concept was later expanded by Conservation International.

9. How many Hotspots of biodiversity are in the world?

a) 12 b) 15 c) 20 d) 25

Correct Answer: c) 20

Explanation:
Currently, 36 biodiversity hotspots are recognized globally (as of 2023). These hotspots cover just 2.4% of Earth's land surface but contain over half of the world's plant species and 43% of bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species as endemics.

10. Which of the following two regions from India are included as hotspots?

a) Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats b) Western Himalayas and Western Ghats c) Northern Himalayas and Western Ghats d) Himalayas and Western Ghats

Correct Answer: a) Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats

Explanation:
India has four biodiversity hotspots: (1) Himalayas (Eastern region), (2) Western Ghats, (3) Indo-Burma (Northeast), and (4) Sundaland (Nicobar Islands). The Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas are particularly rich in endemic species.

11. Hotspot areas have:

a) Low density of biodiversity b) Only endangered plants c) High density of hot springs d) High density of biodiversity

Correct Answer: d) High density of biodiversity

Explanation:
Biodiversity hotspots are characterized by exceptionally high concentrations of endemic species that are undergoing exceptional loss of habitat. Though they cover less than 2.5% of Earth's land, they contain over 60% of terrestrial biodiversity.

12. Which of the following is the natural habitat of the Indian lion?

a) Sunderban delta b) Gir forest c) Bandipur National Park d) Kaziranga National Park

Correct Answer: b) Gir forest

Explanation:
The Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) is found only in Gir National Park and surrounding areas in Gujarat. From just 20 individuals in 1913, conservation efforts have increased their population to over 600 (2020 census), making it a conservation success story.

13. Which national park is famous for having the Great Indian One-Horned Rhino?

a) Rajaji National Park b) Jim Corbett National Park c) Bandipur National Park d) Kaziranga National Park

Correct Answer: d) Kaziranga National Park

Explanation:
Kaziranga in Assam hosts 2/3 of the world's greater one-horned rhinoceros population (about 2,400 in 2022). This UNESCO World Heritage Site also has the highest density of tigers among protected areas and is important for elephant, water buffalo and bird conservation.

14. In which of the following places is the Royal Bengal Tiger found?

a) Gir forest b) Sunderban delta c) Godavari Delta d) Mahanadi Delta

Correct Answer: b) Sunderban delta

Explanation:
The Sundarbans mangrove forest (West Bengal) is the only tiger habitat of its kind, with tigers adapted to swim and hunt in saline water. About 100 Royal Bengal tigers live here, known for being man-eaters due to the challenging environment and human proximity.

15. Vedanthangal Birds Sanctuary is located in which state?

a) Gujarat b) Karnataka c) Rajasthan d) Tamil Nadu

Correct Answer: d) Tamil Nadu

Explanation:
Vedanthangal (near Chennai) is India's oldest waterbird sanctuary, established in 1798 and officially protected since 1936. This 30-hectare wetland hosts over 40,000 migratory birds (Oct-Feb) including pintails, garganeys, grey wagtails, and painted storks.

Conservation Methods & Biodiversity Hotspots MCQs

1. Conservation Methods

2. Hotspots & Endemic Species

3. National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries

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