Deforestation & Land Degradation MCQs

1. Floods caused by:

a) Deforestation b) Urbanization c) Climate change d) All the above

Correct Answer: d) All the above

Explanation:
Floods can be caused by multiple factors including deforestation (reduces water absorption), urbanization (increases runoff), and climate change (intensifies rainfall patterns). These factors often interact to increase flood risks.

2. Drought occurs when rainfall is below:

a) 10-25% b) 25-50% c) Below 50% d) Below 75%

Correct Answer: b) 25-50%

Explanation:
Drought is typically declared when rainfall is 25-50% below the long-term average. This level of deficit begins to significantly impact water availability for agriculture, drinking water, and ecosystems.

3. Famine occurs when rainfall is below:

a) 25% b) 40% c) Below 50% d) Below 75%

Correct Answer: c) Below 50%

Explanation:
Famine conditions typically emerge when rainfall is more than 50% below normal, leading to catastrophic crop failures and food shortages. This extreme drought disrupts entire food systems.

4. Tree lowering water table:

a) Banyan trees b) Neem trees c) Eucalyptus trees d) Mango trees

Correct Answer: c) Eucalyptus trees

Explanation:
Eucalyptus trees are known for their high water consumption, with deep roots that can lower groundwater tables. Their introduction has sometimes caused water scarcity in certain regions.

5. Pride of India:

a) Rivers b) Mountains c) Forests d) Deserts

Correct Answer: a) Rivers

Explanation:
India's rivers are often called the "Pride of India" as they have nurtured ancient civilizations, support agriculture, provide drinking water, and hold cultural and religious significance.

6. Problem caused by upstream dams:

a) Reduced water flow downstream b) Sediment trapping c) Displacement of people d) All the above

Correct Answer: d) All the above

Explanation:
Upstream dams cause multiple downstream impacts including reduced water flow (affecting ecosystems and agriculture), sediment trapping (leading to delta erosion), and displacement of communities during construction.

7. Dam in high seismicity zone:

a) Hirakud Dam b) Bhakra Nangal Dam c) Sardar Sarovar Dam d) Tehri Dam

Correct Answer: d) Tehri Dam

Explanation:
The Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand is located in Zone IV (high seismic risk) of India's seismic zoning map, making it one of the most earthquake-vulnerable major dams in the country.

8. Largest dam in India:

a) Hirakud Dam b) Bhakra Nangal Dam c) Sardar Sarovar Dam d) Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

Correct Answer: b) Bhakra Nangal Dam

Explanation:
The Bhakra Nangal Dam (Himachal Pradesh/Punjab border) is India's largest dam in terms of water storage capacity (9.34 billion cubic meters) and one of the highest gravity dams in the world.

9. Natural factor causing drought:

a) Deforestation b) Rain failure c) Overgrazing d) Groundwater depletion

Correct Answer: b) Rain failure

Explanation:
Rain failure is the primary natural cause of drought. Other options are human-induced factors that may exacerbate drought conditions but aren't natural causes.

10. Desertification of Cauvery due to:

a) Over-extraction of water b) Deforestation in catchment c) Sand mining d) All the above

Correct Answer: d) All the above

Explanation:
The Cauvery river basin faces desertification from multiple pressures: excessive water diversion for agriculture, deforestation reducing water retention, and unsustainable sand mining altering river morphology.

11. Forests in low rainfall:

a) Evergreen forests b) Mangrove forests c) Deciduous forests d) Thorn forests

Correct Answer: c) Deciduous forests

Explanation:
Deciduous forests (also called monsoon forests) thrive in areas with moderate rainfall (70-200 cm annually). They shed leaves seasonally to conserve water during dry periods.

12. Forests in high rainfall:

a) Evergreen forests b) Thorn forests c) Deciduous forests d) Shrub forests

Correct Answer: a) Evergreen forests

Explanation:
Evergreen forests grow in regions with heavy rainfall (>200 cm annually) and consistent warmth. These conditions allow trees to retain leaves year-round and support lush biodiversity.

13. First national park in India:

a) Kaziranga National Park b) Gir National Park c) Sundarbans National Park d) Jim Corbett National Park

Correct Answer: d) Jim Corbett National Park

Explanation:
Established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, Jim Corbett (Uttarakhand) was India's first national park. It was renamed in 1957 after the famous hunter-conservationist who played a key role in its establishment.

14. Atmosphere extends up to:

a) 100 km b) 500 km c) 1000 km d) 2000 km

Correct Answer: d) 2000 km

Explanation:
Earth's atmosphere gradually thins with altitude but technically extends up to about 10,000 km. However, 2000 km is often cited as the practical limit where atmospheric effects become negligible.

15. Biosphere exists between:

a) 5000 m below & 3000 m above sea level b) 8000 m below & 5000 m above sea level c) 10000 m below & 6000 m above sea level d) 12000 m below & 8000 m above sea level

Correct Answer: c) 10000 m below & 6000 m above sea level

Explanation:
The biosphere (zone of life) extends from deep ocean trenches (~10,000m below) to high mountain altitudes (~6,000m above), encompassing all ecosystems where life exists.

16. Living things in environment:

a) Abiotic elements b) Biotic elements c) Physical factors d) Climatic factors

Correct Answer: b) Biotic elements

Explanation:
Biotic elements are the living components of an ecosystem (plants, animals, microorganisms). They interact with abiotic (non-living) elements like water, soil, and climate.

17. Aesthetic pleasure factors:

a) Physical factors b) Biological factors c) Chemical factors d) Aesthetic factors

Correct Answer: d) Aesthetic factors

Explanation:
Aesthetic factors refer to the visual and sensory qualities of the environment that provide pleasure, beauty, and cultural value, such as landscapes, biodiversity, and natural scenery.

18. Not an air pollutant:

a) Carbon monoxide b) Sulfur dioxide c) Nitrogen gas d) Particulate matter

Correct Answer: c) Nitrogen gas

Explanation:
Nitrogen gas (N₂) makes up about 78% of clean air and is non-toxic. Other options are recognized air pollutants that can harm health and the environment at certain concentrations.

19. Plant part evaporating water:

a) Stomata b) Roots c) Xylem d) Phloem

Correct Answer: a) Stomata

Explanation:
Stomata are microscopic pores on leaves that open to allow gas exchange (CO₂ in, O₂ out) and close to prevent water loss. This process of water vapor loss is called transpiration.

20. Nuclear family means:

a) Only children b) Parents and children c) Extended relatives d) Community living

Correct Answer: b) Parents and children

Explanation:
A nuclear family consists of parents and their children living as a single unit, distinct from extended family structures that include grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc.

Deforestation & Land Degradation MCQs

1. Deforestation Causes & Effects

2. Forests & Environment

Your Score: /20