Take this quiz to test your knowledge about environment and ecology 

The term "environment" refers to the sum total of all living and non-living elements, as well as their effects on human life. Non-living or abiotic elements include water, land, sunshine, rocks, and air, while all living or biotic elements comprise animals, plants, forests, fisheries, and birds. How well do you know about the ecology and environment? Take this quiz to find out. 

Q1. What is the main cause of soil erosion? 

(a) Industrialisation 

(b) Deforestation 

(c) Volcanic eruption

(d) Road construction 

Q2. Which of the following are salient features of the environment? 

(a) It is the sum of biotic and abiotic elements 

(b) It helps us maintain ecological balance 

(c) It is based on the interactive and functional relationship between biotic and abiotic elements  

(d) All of these 

Q3. Which layer of the atmosphere is called Ozonosphere? 

(a) Troposphere 

(b) Stratosphere 

(c) Mesosphere 

(d) Exosphere 

Q4. What is meant by Ecotone? 

(a) It is formed by the interactions among population of living animals and plants 

(b) It  is a transition area between two biological communities where two communities meet and integrate 

(c) It is a term used for different periods of soil formation  

(d) None of these 

Q5. Who is known as the Father of Indian Ecology? 

(a) Ramdeo Mishra 

(b) Sunderlal Bahuguna 

(c) Vinoba Bhave 

(d) Swami Vivekanand 

ANSWERS 

Q1. (b) 

Deforestation is the process of removing trees from their natural habitat. The soil becomes loose when trees are cut down. Thus, when there is significant rain or a flood, the loose soil is carried away, resulting in soil erosion. This further leads to flooding and landslides. Hence, deforestation is the main cause of soil erosion. 

Q2. (d) 

All the statements regarding salient features of the environment are true. The environment is the sum of biotic and abiotic elements, is based on the interactive and functional relationship both the types of elements and helps us in maintaining ecological balance. 

Q3. (b) 

Stratosphere, the second layer of Earth’s atmosphere is also called Ozonosphere. It is a region of the upper atmosphere, roughly between 15 and 35 kilometres above the earth’s surface, containing relatively high concentrations of ozone (O3) molecules. In fact, approximately 90% of the atmosphere’s ozone occurs in the stratosphere, the region extending from 10- 18 kilometres to approximately 50 kilometres above the earth’s surface. 

Q4. (b) 

Ecotone is a transition area between two biological communities where two communities meet and integrate. It may be narrow or wide, and it may be local (the zone between a field and forest) or regional (the transition between forest and grassland ecosystems). On the ground, an ecotone can take the form of a gradual mixing of the two communities over a broad region, or it might take the form of a clear boundary line. 

Marshlands between dry and wet ecosystems, mangrove forests between terrestrial and marine ecosystems, grasslands between deserts and forests and estuaries between saltwater and freshwater are all examples of ecotones. Due to changes in climatic conditions on the slopes, mountain ranges can also generate ecotones. 

Q5. (a) 

Professor Ramdeo Mishra laid the foundations of ecology and environmental science in India. He is known as the 'Father of Indian Ecology' all over the world.