UPSC 2010 › Environment & Ecology › Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts

4 questions · 2010 · answers as per the UPSC key

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UPSC 2010 · Q4 · Environment & Ecology › Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts · Save

A new type of El Nino called El Nino Modoki appeared in the news. In this context, consider the following statements:

  1. Normal El Nino forms in the Central Pacific ocean whereas El Nino Modoki forms in Eastern Pacific ocean.
  2. Normal El Nino results in diminished hurricanes in the Atlantic ocean but El Nino Modoki results in a greater number of hurricanes with greater frequency.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: (b) 2 only
UPSC 2010 · Q65 · Environment & Ecology › Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts · Save

Some species of plants are insectivorous. Why ?

(a) Their growth in shady and dark places does not allow them to undertake sufficient photosynthesis and thus they depend on insects for nutrition.
(b) They are adapted to grow in nitrogen deficient soils and thus depend on insects for sufficient nitrogenous nutrition.
(c) They cannot synthesize certain vitamins themselves and depend on the insects digested by them.
(d) They have remained in that particular stage of evolution as living fossils, a link between autotrophs and heterotrophs.
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Answer: (b) They are adapted to grow in nitrogen deficient soils and thus depend on insects for sufficient nitrogenous nutrition.
UPSC 2010 · Q69 · Environment & Ecology › Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts · Save

In India, which type of forest among the following occupies the largest area?

(a) Montane Wet Temperate Forest
(b) Sub-tropical Dry Evergreen Forest
(c) Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest
(d) Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest
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Answer: (c) Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest
UPSC 2010 · Q103 · Environment & Ecology › Ecosystems & Ecology Concepts · Save

King Cobra is the only snake that makes its own nest. Why does it make its nest?

(a) It is a snake-eater and the nest helps attract other snakes
(b) It is a viviparous snake and needs a nest to give birth to its offspring
(c) It is an oviparous snake and lays its eggs in the nest and guards the nest until they are hatched
(d) It is a large, cold blooded animal, and needs a nest to hibernate in the cold season
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Answer: (c) It is an oviparous snake and lays its eggs in the nest and guards the nest until they are hatched