Conservation hotspots are best described as:

1.	Areas with large numbers of endemic species that are disappearing rapidly
2.	Areas where people are particularly active supporters of biological diversity
3.	Islands that are experiencing high rates of extinction
4.	Areas where native species are being replaced with introduced species

A keystone species is one that:

(1) Has a higher likelihood of extinction than a non keystone species

(2) Exerts a strong influence on an ecosystem

(3) Causes other species to become extinct

(4) Has a weak influence on an ecosystem

One of the following statements is incorrect with reference to biodiversity. Identify it:

1. The richest reservoirs of animal and plant life (high species richness) with few or no threatened species are called 'biodiversity hotspots’

2. Biodiversity increases from higher altitudes to lower altitudes

3. Biodiversity decreases from the equator to polar regions

4. Depletion in genetic diversity of crop plants is mainly due to the introduction of better varieties with high yield, disease resistance, etc.

In situ strategies include-

A. Biosphere reserve

B. National park

Wildlife sanctuaries

D. Sacred forests / lakes

(1) A, B

(2) A, B, C

(3) B, C, D

(4) A, B, C, D

Ex situ strategies include:
A. Botanical garden
B. Zoos
C. Seed / Pollen banks   
D. Gene bank and tissue culture

1. A, B                

2. A, B, C            

3. B, C, D            

4. A, B, C, D

According to the concept of species area relations:

The exotic species, introduced in India for its flower and leaf is:

(1) Lantana                                       
(2) Water Hyacinth (Eicchornia)
(3) Parthenium                                  
(4) All are correct

Column-I                                          Column-II

(1) I - B, II - A, III - D, IV - C            

(2) I - D, II - A, III - B, IV - C

(3) I - A, II - C, III - B, IV - D             

(4) I - B, II - A, III - C, IV - D

Which one the following is false about Habitat loss and fragmentation?
(1) This is the most important cause driving animals and plants to extinction

(2) The most dramatic examples of habitat loss come from temperate rainforests

(3) Once covering more than 14% of the earth's land surface, rain forests now cover no more than 6 percent.

(4) The Amazon rainforest harbouring probably millions of species is being cut and cleared for cultivating soya beans or for conversion to grassland for raising beef cattle

Global species diversity and land area covered by India with respect to world is:

(1) 12%, 7%        

(2) 2.4%, 9%       

(3) 8.1%, 2.4%    

(4) 4%, 3%