Test: Indian Environment - 2 - UPSC MCQ

• The hydrological cycle is a part of the geological cycle. It is related to the origin, distribution, and properties of water on the globe. It involves the movement of water in continuous processes like evaporation, precipitation and runoff which starts from water bodies such as oceans, rivers etc. Carbon cycle, hydrogen cycle and nitrogen cycle are types of biogeochemical cycles.

Artificial Ecosystem: Aquarium

• Definition: An artificial ecosystem refers to a human-made environment that mimics the natural habitat of living organisms.


• Characteristics of an Aquarium as an Artificial Ecosystem:
  
  
  • Contains a variety of aquatic plants and animals.
  
  
  • Controlled environment with regulated temperature, lighting, and water quality.
  
  
  • Man-made filtration systems to maintain water cleanliness.
  
  
  • Regular feeding and care provided by humans 


• Functions of an Aquarium as an Artificial Ecosystem:
  
  
  • Provides a controlled environment for study and observation of aquatic life.
  
  
  • Allows for the conservation and protection of endangered species.
  
  
  • Creates a visually appealing display for educational and recreational purposes 


• Importance of Aquariums in Conservation:
  
  
  • Helps raise awareness about aquatic ecosystems and the need for their preservation.
  
  
  • Contributes to research and breeding programs for endangered species.
  
  
  • Serves as a tool for educating the public about marine life and environmental conservation 

Aquarium represents an artificial ecosystem. These ecosystems are created by humans to mimic the natural ecosystems.

trophic level to the other as only a fraction of it is transferred and rest is lost to the atmosphere.

Heterotrophs are organisms that are dependent upon others for their food requirements. These organisms are commonly-known as consumers and directly or indirectly dependent upon producers or green plants for their nutrient needs.

producers for their food and it is accumulated in biomass.

it is more prone to vulnerability.

Let's analyze the given statements to determine their correctness:

1. In ecology, an ecosystem is a naturally occurring assemblage of the organism (plant, animal and another living organism - also referred to as abiotic community or biocoenosis) living together with their environment (or biotope), function as a unit of sorts.
   - This statement is partially correct but contains a significant error. In an ecosystem, living organisms (plants, animals, and other living organisms) interact with each other and with their abiotic (non-living) environment. The term "abiotic community" is incorrect; it should be "biotic community" for living organisms. An ecosystem comprises both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components functioning together as a unit.

2. The term “ecosystem” was first coined by Arthur Tansley.
   - This statement is correct. The term "ecosystem" was indeed first coined by the British ecologist Arthur Tansley in 1935.

Given the analysis, the corrected version of Statement 1 should be: "In ecology, an ecosystem is a naturally occurring assemblage of organisms (plants, animals, and other living organisms - also referred to as a biotic community or biocoenosis) living together with their environment (or biotope), functioning as a unit."

Therefore, the correct answer is:

3. Only 2

Some weedicides also cause phloem cells’ proliferation to block the transport of plants’ food materials.

• Almost all of the mercury in the Arctic atmosphere is transported there in gaseous form from sources in areas farther south, from sources such as wildfires, coal-burning and gold mining.

• Scientists have long known that mercury in the air near ground level undergoes complex chemical reactions that deposit the element on the surface.

• Once the mercury is completely removed from the air, these reactions stop. However, this newly discovered mixing ice forces down additional mercury to restart and sustains the reactions.

• The schedule is meant to reduce the growth of the US government’s liabilities under the 1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act, under which it was to begin taking spent reactor fuel from power companies in 1998.

• About 68,000 tonnes of used reactor fuel remains at 72 different power plant sites across the country, with the Department of Energy (DoE) reimbursing power companies the cost.

• The current production rate of spent fuel is 2,000 tonnes a year. The two interim facilities will accept used reactor fuel at a rate faster than this to gradually reduce the inventory at power companies.