Geography & Biodiversity MCQs

1. India has _____ million hectares of geographical area.

a) 229 million hectares b) 329 million hectares c) 400 million hectares d) 429 million hectares

Correct Answer: b) 329 million hectares

Explanation:
India's total geographical area is 3.287 million square kilometers, which equals approximately 329 million hectares. This makes India the seventh-largest country in the world by area, covering about 2.4% of the world's land area.

2. _____ is the second largest nation among the Asian countries with an area of 3,287,263 sq. km and represents 2% of the total land mass in the world.

a) China b) Japan c) India d) Malaysia

Correct Answer: c) India

Explanation:
India is Asia's second-largest country by area after China. With its 3.287 million sq. km area, it accounts for about 2% of the world's landmass. India's diverse geography includes the Himalayan mountains, the Thar Desert, and coastal regions along the Indian Ocean.

3. Biodiversity comprises:

a) Genetic diversity b) Species diversity c) Ecosystem diversity d) All the above

Correct Answer: d) All the above

Explanation:
Biodiversity includes three main levels: (1) Genetic diversity - variation within species, (2) Species diversity - variety of species in a region, and (3) Ecosystem diversity - variety of habitats and ecological processes. Together these form the complex web of life on Earth.

4. The diversity within a community is called:

a) Alpha diversity b) Beta diversity c) Gamma diversity d) Delta diversity

Correct Answer: a) Alpha diversity

Explanation:
Alpha diversity refers to species diversity within a specific habitat or local community. It measures the number of species (species richness) and their relative abundance (species evenness) in that particular area, without considering relationships to other communities.

5. The diversity between communities is called:

a) Beta diversity b) Alpha diversity c) Delta diversity d) Gamma diversity

Correct Answer: a) Beta diversity

Explanation:
Beta diversity measures how species composition changes between different habitats or along environmental gradients. High beta diversity means communities are very different from each other, while low beta diversity indicates similar species composition across communities.

6. The biodiversity is more at _____ regions.

a) Polar regions b) Equator regions c) In both regions d) None of the above

Correct Answer: b) Equator regions

Explanation:
Tropical regions near the equator have the highest biodiversity due to stable climate, abundant sunlight, and year-round productivity. The Amazon rainforest, for example, contains about 10% of Earth's known species despite covering less than 2% of the planet's surface.

7. Biodiversity is very essential for the health of ____.

a) Atmosphere b) Hydrosphere c) Lithosphere d) Biosphere

Correct Answer: d) Biosphere

Explanation:
Biodiversity maintains the health of the entire biosphere - the global ecological system integrating all living organisms and their interactions with Earth's other spheres (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere). It provides ecosystem services like oxygen production, water purification, and climate regulation.

8. Biodiversity can be broadly classified into how many types?

a) 2 b) 5 c) 3 d) 4

Correct Answer: c) 3

Explanation:
Biodiversity is classified into three main types: (1) Genetic diversity - variations within species, (2) Species diversity - variety of species, and (3) Ecosystem diversity - variety of habitats and ecological processes. This classification helps in conservation planning and ecological studies.

9. Red Data Book contains:

a) All plant species b) All animal species c) Threatened species d) Economically important species

Correct Answer: c) Threatened species

Explanation:
The IUCN Red Data Book documents species at risk of extinction, categorizing them as Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable. It serves as a global standard for species conservation status and helps prioritize conservation efforts worldwide.

10. Dodo is a:

a) Endangered species b) Extinct species c) Critically endangered species d) Rare species

Correct Answer: b) Extinct species

Explanation:
The dodo (Raphus cucullatus), a flightless bird native to Mauritius, went extinct in the late 17th century due to human activities. It's one of the most famous examples of human-caused extinction and serves as a symbol of species conservation efforts.

11. Which is the correct answer for extinct species from the following?

a) Species not found in the wild b) They are in danger of extinction c) They are likely to move into the endangered category d) Species small in number, not at present endangered

Correct Answer: a) Species not found in the wild

Explanation:
An extinct species is one that no longer exists in the wild or in captivity. The IUCN defines it as when "there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died." Extinction can occur naturally but is now primarily caused by human activities.

1. Geography & Area

2. Biodiversity Basics

3. Endangered & Extinct Species

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