Test: Issues On Environment/ Ecology, Biodiversity & Climate Change - 5 (2011 - 2010) - UPSC MCQ

Algae multiply rapidly when nutrients are present. So, discharge of nutrients favour algae and subsequently algal bloom growth from estuaries to sea. The run off from the land during the monsoon bring salts which favours the growth of algae. Upwelling of the sea water brings the nutrients to top level leading to rapid algae multiplication.

Himalayas and its adjoining areas are marked as a confluence of several biogeographical realms. It has variety of forest type and is rich in zoo-biogeographic region.

To qualify as a hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria: it must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants (> 0.5 percent of the world’s total) as endemics, and it has to have lost at least 70 percent of its original habitat.
So we choose Species richness as well as Endemism. Along with this Threat perception is necessary to take , because it makes the base of this concept. Adaptation of flora is an arbitrary option, Ethno-botanical importance does nothing with the Biodiversity Hotspot selection criteria, vegetation Density is also discarded.

The Bhitarkanika Mangroves are a mangrove wetland in India's Orissa state. The Bhitarkanika Mangroves cover an area of 650 km² in the river delta of the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers.

The nitric acid in polar stratospheric clouds reacts with CFCs to form chlorine, which catalyzes the photochemical destruction of ozone.

Upwelling brings nutrient-rich water towards the ocean surface, replacing the warmer, usually nutrient-depleted surface water. This is to do with the phytoplankton’s and nothing to do with the decomposer microorganisms.

Since CO₂ is heavier than air, it sinks in ocean than moving up. Also, during winter, it is observed that CO₂ is trapped in ice caps.

Under the Kyoto Protocol, the 'caps' or quotas for Greenhouse gases for the developed Annex 1 countries are known as Assigned Amounts and are listed in Annex B.
The quantity of the initial assigned amount is denominated in individual units, called Assigned amount units (AAUs), each of which represents an allowance to emit one metric tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent, and these are entered into the country's national registry.

The United Nations framework convention on climate change is an international treaty drawn at UN conference on Environment and development, Rio de Janeiro, 1992.

Ambient temperature simply means "the temperature of the surroundings" and will be the same as room temperature. Indoor the common range is 20°C (68°F) to 27°C (80 °F). Similarly, ambient pressure on an object is the pressure of the surrounding medium, such as a gas or liquid, which comes into contact with the object. The soot, sulphur hexafluoride, and water vapour all three can be found at ambient atmosphere which corresponds to ambient temperature and pressure, and subsequently warming up of atmosphere.

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth's near-surface air and oceans by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, which result from human activity such as the burning of fossil fuel and deforestation. Climate change mitigation is action to decrease the potential effects of global warming. At a time rate of mitigation is less in India because appropriate technologies are limited and costly. Moreover India don't have huge funds required for research and development in that area.

Ramsar convention describes to conserve all the sites through ecosystem approach and allow their simultaneous sustainable use.

In the third annual survey of National Geographic Society and Globe Scan, Indian top ranked in Greendex 2009 due to environmentally sustainable consumer behaviour.

Biomagnification is the phenomenon of increasing concentration of compound in the tissue of organism, as the compound passes up a food chain, usually as a result of food intake. In this case, the concentration of compound will increase with increasing the trophic level. Biomagnifying pollutants which increases in concentration from producers → Primary consumers → Secondary consumers → Tertiary consumers → Top consumer. Hawk is the top consumer, so the pesticide concentration will be highest in Hawk.

The fix boundary of national park is described in Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 and the actual area of the national park is notified by state government.
A biosphere reserve conserves an ecosystem and not just few specific species of plants and animals.