Ans: A

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: Aquatic ecosystems generally have more trophic levels than terrestrial ecosystems. This difference between terrestrial and marine ecosystems is due to differences in the fundamental characteristics of land and marine primary organisms. In aquatic ecosystems, phytoplankton carries out most of the photosynthesis, while plants do most of this work on the land. Phytoplanktons are small organisms with extremely simple structures, so most of their primary production is consumed, and used for energy by aquatic animals that feed on them. In contrast, a large fraction of the biomass that land plants produce, like the roots, trunks, and branches, cannot be used by herbivores for food, so proportionately less of the energy fixed through primary production travels up the food chain. Because of these energy losses, most terrestrial ecosystems have not more than five trophic levels, while marine ecosystems generally have seven.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The grazing food chain begins with autotrophs. In this, energy and nutrients move from plants to the herbivores consuming them, and to the carnivores or omnivores preying upon the herbivores. The detritus food chain (DFC) begins with dead organic matter.

Statement 3 is incorrect: In an aquatic ecosystem, Grazing Food Chain (GFC) is the major conduit for energy flow. As against this, in a terrestrial ecosystem, a much larger fraction of energy flows through the detritus food chain than through the GFC. The Detritus food chain may be connected with the grazing food chain at some levels; some of the organisms of DFC are prey to the GFC animals. In marine ecosystems, both the Detritus Food Chain (DFC) and Grazing Food Chain (GFC) coexist. 

Ans: D

Exp:

• Ecological niche:  The functional characteristics of a species in its habitat, is referred to as “niche”. A niche is unique for a species, while many species may share the same habitat. No two species in a habitat can have the same niche. This is because if two species occupy the same niche, they will compete with one another until one is displaced.
• Ecosystem: The term ecosystem was coined by Sir Arthur Tansley in 1935. The ecosystems are parts of nature where living organisms interact amongst themselves and with their physical environment . An ecosystem is composed of a biotic community, integrated with its physical environment through the exchange of energy and recycling of the nutrients.
• Ecotype: Ecotype refers to the genetic variety of  a particular species  that has developed variation due to the geographical distancing. They adapt to the local environmental conditions and are always inter- fertile.

Hydrarch succession: 

Succession of plants is called hydrarch or xerarch, respectively.

• Hydrarch succession takes place in wetter areas and the successional series progresses from hydric to the mesic conditions. Hence, Option d is incorrect

• As against this, xerarch succession takes place in dry areas and the series progresses from xeric to mesic conditions

Ans: A

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: Wealth Accounting and the Valuation of Ecosystem Services (WAVES) is a World Bank-led global partnership that aims to promote sustainable development by ensuring that natural resources are mainstreamed in development planning and national economic accounts. WAVES is now part of the broader World Bank umbrella initiative, the Global Program for Sustainability (GPS). 

Objectives

• Help countries adopt and implement accounts that are relevant for policies and compile a body of experience
• Develop approaches to ecosystem accounting methodology
• Establish a global platform for training and knowledge sharing
• Build international consensus around natural capital accounting

Statement 2 is incorrect: WAVES was launched at the 2010 Convention on Biological Diversity meeting in Nagoya, Japan. This global partnership brings together a broad coalition of UN agencies, governments, international institutes, nongovernmental organizations and academics to implement Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) where there are internationally agreed standards, and develop approaches for other ecosystem service accounts.

Statement 3 is incorrect: WAVES is funded by a multi-donor trust fund -the European Commission, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. 

Ans: B

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: A Hope Spot is an area of the ocean that merits special protection because of its wildlife and significant underwater habitats. They are chosen for their contributions to biodiversity, the carbon sink, and important habitat. Hope Spots can be Marine Protected Areas (MPA) that need attention or new sites. 

Statement 2 is incorrect: Hope Spot  Network is a joint initiative of  Mission Blue and the International Union Of Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Mission Blue is a global coalition to create public awareness,to access, and support for a World Wide Network of Marine Protected Areas i.e. Hope Spots . The Aim of Mission Blue to create  Hope Spots to increase the protection of ocean ecology. Mission Blue organization is led by oceanographer Dr.Sylvia Earle.

Statement 3 is correct:

• • There are currently a total of 76 Hope Spots around the world.

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands have recently been named as the new “hope spots” from India. In the Lakshadweep group of islands, Pitti (0.01 square kilometer) is the only island that has Marine Protected Areas (MPA) tag.

• About 12 per cent of land around the world is under some form of protection (as national parks, world heritage sites, monuments) while less than one per cent of the oceans is protected.

Ans:  D

Exp:

Statement-I is incorrect: Priority species form a key element of the food chain and are closely connected to the stability or regeneration of habitats. The ‘Priority Species’ initiative is associated with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). WWF often identifies certain species as priority species based on their conservation needs, significance in the ecosystem, or the level of threat they face. This initiative is part of WWF’s broader efforts to prioritize and focus resources on species that are particularly vulnerable or important for maintaining biodiversity.

Statement-II is correct: Priority species form a key element of the food chain and are closely connected to the stability or regeneration of habitats. Priority species can indeed be either a flagship species or a keystone species. A flagship species is chosen to represent a conservation cause and raise awareness (like the giant panda), while a keystone species has a disproportionate impact on its environment, affecting many other species in the ecosystem.

WWF-India works on the following priority species that have global and/or national importance

• Bengal tiger
• Asian elephant
• Indian or greater one-horned rhino
• Ganges river dolphin
• Snow leopard
• Red panda