🌲 Batch 6: Forest Ecology & Environment
Practice 20 Forest Ecology & Environment MCQs with answers. Covers ecology, biodiversity, climate change, and environmental forestry concepts.
MCQs 201–220
201. Ecology is the study of:
(A) Animals only
(B) Plants only
(C) Relationships between organisms and their environment
(D) Forest products
Correct Answer: (C) Relationships between organisms and their environment
Explanation: Ecology focuses on how living organisms interact with each other and their surroundings.
202. The basic functional unit of ecology is:
(A) Species
(B) Ecosystem
(C) Habitat
(D) Population
Correct Answer: (B) Ecosystem
Explanation: An ecosystem includes both living organisms and their physical environment functioning together.
203. Which of the following is a biotic component of a forest ecosystem?
(A) Soil
(B) Water
(C) Animals
(D) Climate
Correct Answer: (C) Animals
Explanation: Biotic components are living things, while abiotic are non-living.
204. The term “carrying capacity” refers to:
(A) Maximum volume of trees in a forest
(B) Maximum population an environment can support sustainably
(C) Number of species in a habitat
(D) Forest growth rate
Correct Answer: (B) Maximum population an environment can support sustainably
Explanation: Carrying capacity balances resources with population growth.
205. A climax community in ecology is:
(A) A disturbed forest
(B) A temporary stage of succession
(C) The final stable stage of ecological succession
(D) A monoculture plantation
Correct Answer: (C) The final stable stage of ecological succession
Explanation: Climax communities remain in equilibrium unless disturbed.
206. Which gas is most responsible for global warming?
(A) Oxygen
(B) Carbon dioxide
(C) Methane
(D) Nitrogen
Correct Answer: (B) Carbon dioxide
Explanation: CO₂ is the primary greenhouse gas from human activity.
207. Acid rain is mainly caused by emissions of:
(A) Nitrogen & Oxygen
(B) Sulphur dioxide & Nitrogen oxides
(C) Carbon dioxide & Methane
(D) Ammonia & Ozone
Correct Answer: (B) Sulphur dioxide & Nitrogen oxides
Explanation: These gases mix with water vapor to form sulphuric and nitric acid.
208. Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?
(A) Troposphere
(B) Stratosphere
(C) Mesosphere
(D) Thermosphere
Correct Answer: (B) Stratosphere
Explanation: The ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs harmful UV radiation.
209. The Kyoto Protocol (1997) was aimed at:
(A) Stopping desertification
(B) Controlling global deforestation
(C) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
(D) Banning nuclear tests
Correct Answer: (C) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
Explanation: Kyoto Protocol was the first international agreement on emission reduction.
210. Biodiversity hotspot refers to:
(A) Areas rich in wildlife but under threat
(B) Desert zones
(C) High rainfall areas only
(D) Forest plantations
Correct Answer: (A) Areas rich in wildlife but under threat
Explanation: Biodiversity hotspots are regions with high species richness and high risk of loss.
211. Deforestation leads to:
(A) Soil erosion
(B) Loss of biodiversity
(C) Climate change
(D) All of these
Correct Answer: (D) All of these
Explanation: Cutting forests destabilizes ecosystems, leading to multiple environmental issues.
212. Which of the following forests acts as the “lungs of the Earth”?
(A) Taiga
(B) Amazon rainforest
(C) Mangroves
(D) Boreal forest
Correct Answer: (B) Amazon rainforest
Explanation: The Amazon produces ~20% of Earth’s oxygen and absorbs massive CO₂.
213. Ecological succession initiated on bare rocks is called:
(A) Secondary succession
(B) Primary succession
(C) Climax succession
(D) Retrogression
Correct Answer: (B) Primary succession
Explanation: Primary succession begins where no soil exists.
214. The branch of forestry concerned with climate impact on forests is:
(A) Silvics
(B) Climatology
(C) Forest Ecology
(D) Dendrology
Correct Answer: (C) Forest Ecology
Explanation: Forest ecology studies forest ecosystems and their interaction with climate.
215. The UN-REDD Programme stands for:
(A) United Nations Reduction of Energy Demand
(B) United Nations Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
(C) United Nations Regulation of Environmental Development
(D) None of these
Correct Answer: (B) United Nations Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation
Explanation: UN-REDD helps developing countries reduce deforestation-related emissions.
216. A biome is best defined as:
(A) A group of ecosystems with similar climate and organisms
(B) A type of soil
(C) A tree plantation
(D) A single ecosystem
Correct Answer: (A) A group of ecosystems with similar climate and organisms
Explanation: Biomes include deserts, tundra, grasslands, forests, etc.
217. Which forest type is most important for groundwater recharge?
(A) Coniferous forests
(B) Mangroves
(C) Tropical rainforests
(D) Agroforests
Correct Answer: (C) Tropical rainforests
Explanation: Dense canopy and rainfall infiltration in rainforests support groundwater recharge.
218. Which UN conference is called the “Earth Summit”?
(A) Stockholm Conference, 1972
(B) Rio de Janeiro Conference, 1992
(C) Paris Agreement, 2015
(D) Kyoto Protocol, 1997
Correct Answer: (B) Rio de Janeiro Conference, 1992
Explanation: The Earth Summit in Rio highlighted sustainable development and Agenda 21.
219. Which forest type acts as a buffer against cyclones and tsunamis?
(A) Taiga forests
(B) Mangroves
(C) Alpine forests
(D) Deciduous forests
Correct Answer: (B) Mangroves
Explanation: Mangroves protect coastal regions from storms and tidal surges.
220. Which international agreement specifically focuses on biodiversity conservation?
(A) Montreal Protocol
(B) UNFCCC
(C) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
(D) Ramsar Convention
Correct Answer: (C) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Explanation: CBD (1992) aims to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable use of resources.