Which one of the following statements about biodiversity is not correct ?
- A.The term 'biodiversity' was coined by Walter G. Rosen in 1986.
- B.The term 'biodiversity hotspots' was coined by Norman Myers in 1988.
- C.The regions having richest biodiversity are called 'biodiversity hotspots'.
- D.More than 100 hotspots of biodiversity are identified in the world.
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is D, more than 100 hotspots of biodiversity are identified in the world. This is the incorrect statement: the world has 36 recognised biodiversity hotspots, far fewer than 100.
The hotspot idea came from the British ecologist Norman Myers, who in 1988 named ten tropical forest regions that were very rich in species and under heavy threat. Conservation International later fixed the test: a region must hold at least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species and must have lost at least 70 per cent of its original habitat. Together these hotspots cover a small share of the land yet hold about half of the world's plant species as endemics. India shares four: the Himalaya, Indo-Burma, the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, and Sundaland (the Nicobar Islands).
A is correct: Walter G. Rosen introduced the word "biodiversity" for the 1986 National Forum on BioDiversity in Washington.
B is correct: Myers coined "hotspots" in 1988.
C is correct as a broad description of hotspots.
Exam tip: hotspots, Norman Myers 1988; 36 in the world, 4 in India.
Practice Questions
View allA biological community in its environment such as a pond, an ocean, a forest, even an aquarium is known as
- A.biome
- B.community
- C.abiotic environment
- D.ecosystem
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An ecosystem is a community of living things together with the non-living environment they interact with, and it can be as large as an ocean or as small as an aquarium.
Read the full explanation →Consider the following statements :
I. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO2/capita.
II. In terms of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, India ranks second in Asia-Pacific region.
III. Electricity and heat producers are the largest sources of CO2 emissions in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.I and III only
- B.II only
- C.II and III only
- D.I, II and III
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India is the second-largest emitter of fuel-combustion CO2 in the Asia-Pacific after China, and power and heat generation is its biggest source, but its per capita emissions are well above 0.5 tonne.
Read the full explanation →The term 'Domestic Content Requirement' is sometimes seen in the news with reference to
- A.Developing solar power production in our country
- B.Granting licences to foreign T.V. channels in our country
- C.Exporting our food products to other countries
- D.Permitting foreign educational institutions to set up their campuses in our country
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Read the full explanation →In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into stratosphere?
- A.Creating the artificial rains in some regions
- B.Reducing the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones
- C.Reducing the adverse effects of solar wind on the Earth
- D.Reducing the global warming
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Both ideas are geoengineering proposals meant to cool the planet by changing how much heat enters or leaves the Earth.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following have species that can establish symbiotic relationship with other organisms?
1. Cnidarians
2. Fungi
3. Protozoa
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
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Cnidarians, fungi and protozoa all include species that live in close, mutually useful partnerships with other organisms. Symbiosis means two different species living closely together, often to the benefit of both.
Read the full explanation →