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Mangrove vegetation is found in halophytic, saline and marshy habitat.

The answer is (C) Pavo cristatus

Plants (mangrove vegetation) in marshy places, develop a special type of geotropic roots. These roots are called pneumatophores, which possess breathing pores for gaseous exchange.

The organisms having characteristics that came into existence earlier are referred to as “primitive” and the organisms having the characteristic that has come into existence, later on, are called “advanced”. For example, unicellular prokaryotic bacteria are primitive and multicellular, eukaryotic, mammalian are advanced. Likewise, algae are primitive plants and angiosperms are advanced plants. Fishes are primitive vertebrates and birds are advanced vertebrates.

The answer is (D) Corvus splendens

Genus and species.

1. To minimise the loss of water in leaves that all before summer or become very small in size and modify into spines, as in Opuntia. 

2. The roots of desert plants are usually long, which go deep in search of water

Lichen is a symbiotic life form, that grows on the bark of trees as coloured patches. It is an association between algae and fungi.

Characteristics of Annelida are as follows:

1. Members of the phylum are bilaterally symmetrical and triploblastic. They have a true coelom.

2. Their body is long cylindrical and segmented.

3. Their body organisation is of organ system level.

4. The alimentary canal is complete.

5. The circulatory system is of open type.

6. Respiration takes place through skin.

For Example Nereis, Pheretima (earthworm), Hirudinaria (Leech), etc.

Aquatic habitat is one of the most important habitats, where a large number of animals live. The aquatic habitat includes both fresh water and salt water habitats. 

Adaptive features of aquatic animals are: 

(1) Body shape: Body is streamlined and offers the least resistance to motion, like swimming. 

(2) Swimming organs: The body is covered with waterproof scales and a slippery substance for reducing the surface tension. The flippers of whale, fins and tail of a fish help in increasing speed and changing direction.

(3) Air bladders: They are present in some fishes. It communicates with pharynx and filled with air. 

(4) Respiratory organs are gills in fishes. Gills have the large surface area to extract oxygen dissolved in water. 

In the amphibious adaptation, a frog is adapted for both aquatic and terrestrial life. 

(i) limbs, through webbed feet, are adapted for swimming. 

(ii) Hind limbs are longer than forelimbs. 

(iii) Skin is always moist, which helps in breathing when the animal is on land. 

(iv) Fertilisation is external. 

The animals living on land differ in their habits of living. The walkers and runners have cursorial adaptations, the borrowers have fossorial adaptations, climbers and fliers have arboreal adaptations. Animal living in deserts have desert adaptations. 

Xeric adaptations of Desert animals: 

Animals such as camels, desert rats, rabbits, foxes, etc. have to adapt in order to overcome, xeric conditions. 

Some xeric adaptations are as follows: 

(i) Moloch absorbs water, like blotting paper. Its surface is covered by thorn like scales. 

(ii) Water cells are developed in the walls of a camel. It uses its entire foot while walking. 

(iii) The desert animals do not perspire and conserve water. 

(iv) The nostril of camel can be closed like eyelids. The eyelids are modified into the window like structure, which covers the eye. 

(v) The ear opening is either small or protected by scales. 

(vi) The sense of light, hearing and smell are highly developed.

Pinus and Cycas.

Study of animal groups on the basis of similarities and differences is called classification.

Classification: The method of arranging organisms into groups, on the basis of similarities and differences is known as classification. 

Aims of classification: Due to classification, there is no need to study each and everything, about all the living organisms. 

1. Classification provides a picture of all plants and animals. 

2. Classification gives an idea of similarities and differences between various groups ex-vertebrates and non-vertebrates. 

3. It proves the idea of the common ancestor of all the living organism. 

4. It shows the interrelationship among different groups of plants.

This is because of both snake and turtle:

(i) are cold-blooded

(ii) have scales

(iii) breathe through lungs, and

(iv) do not need to lay their eggs in water.

1. There is great diversity with respect to size from microscopic to macroscopic, shape, colour, form, mode of nutrition, type of habitat, reproduction, motility, duration of life cycle span, etc. 

2. This diversity evolved in living beings for surviving and perpetuating to accommodate with different environmental conditions such as climatic, edaphic, topographic, geographic, etc. and different situations.

3. For achieving this, living organisms adapted to different conditions and various habitats. 

4. This lead in formation of different features which lead to diversity in them. 

5. These adaptations in different environments serve as basis for diversity.

There are four major causes of biodiversity losses which are popularly known as, ‘The Evil Quartet’ which are habitat loss and fragmentation, over exploitation, alien species invasion and co-extinction.

1. Natural extinction 

2. Mass extinction 

3. Manmade (anthropogenic) extinction

In the following geological time scale, plants as well as animal groups underwent major mass extinctions.

1. Between Cretaceous and Coenozoic period. 

2. Between Triassic and Jurassic period. 

3. Between Permian and Triassic period. 

4. Between Devonian and Carboniferous period.

5. Between Ordovician and Silurian period.

The current loss of biodiversity is considered to be the sixth extinction. It is considered so because the loss of biodiversity is progressing at an alarming rate of 100 to 1000 times faster than pre-human times.

(d) Complete ban on processions playing loud percussion instruments.

Correct option is (a) Air

Correct option is (b) 1981

Correct option is (a) increase

Maharashtra government sent a notification to ban use, sale, distribution and storage of plastic material to fight pollution caused due to extensive use of plastic.

In Maharashtra, there are 5 national parks and 11 sanctuaries.

1. When water is impure, it cannot be used for human consumption. 

2. Small amount about 0.1% impurities in water also makes the water polluted. 

3. In domestic sewage, there are dissolved salts such as nitrates, phosphates, other nutrients and toxic metal ions as well as organic compounds. 

4. Sewage also contains biodegradable organic matter and harmful bacterial and virus. 

5. Organic matter can be decomposed by bacteria and other microorganisms. But such water is not potable. 

6. Industrial effluents also contain harmful heavy metals and other solids. 

7. Solids can be easily removed from water but the dissolved salts cannot be separated. 

8. Biodegradable organic matter in sewage water is calculated by measuring Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD).

Preserving a material in liquid nitrogen at – 196°C. It can be done to preserve threatened species in viable and fertile condition for long period. 

The length of day and night are equal in the equatorial region. But as we move from the equator to the polar region the length of the day goes on decreasing and that of night increasing. Therefore, it is true that there is more solar energy available in the tropics.

1. In the diagrams of graphic representation of known animal and plant groups there is no data about prokaryotes. 

2. Several moneran species which are not cultivable under laboratory conditions are also not included.

3. Conventional taxonomic methods are not suitable for identification of prokaryotic species. Therefore, such species are not included in these diagrams.

1. Rivet Popper hypothesis was given by Paul Ehrlich to emphasise significance of diversity. 

2. For explaining the hypothesis, he gave an analogy between aeroplane and ecosystem. 

3. As the rivets keep all parts of the aeroplane together, similarly, all species keep the diversity of an ecosystem in functional. 

4. Just as if one species gets extinct, initially not much of a problem will take place in an ecosystem, just as in case of a single rivet mission cannot cause problem in flight. However, if the same damage is continued, the turbulence will be experienced. 

5. When more rivets are popped out gradually, there will be a serious threat to the safety of the aeroplane. 

6. Also the rivets in key positions can cause serious situation. With same analogy he explained that if loss of species occurs, initially the problem will not be obvious but later if similar damage continues, there will be a threat to the ecosystem. 

7. Thus, there is a relationship between diversity and well-being of ecosystem which is not linear. 

8. Loss of key species causes threat in very short span of time by affecting food chains, food web, energy flow, natural cycles, etc. This will disturb the balance of the ecosystem.

Genetic diversity/single species show high diversity at genetic level.

Single species show high diversity at genetic level over its distributional range/different varieties grow in different geographical areas/climatic conditions/breeding/mutations.

Detailed Answer :

More than a thousand varieties of mangoes in India represent the genetic diversity because 

(i) a single species show high diversity at genetic level over its distributional range. 

(ii) different varieties grow in different geographical regions and climatic condition. This is also possible because of breeding and mutations.

1. Productivity Stability Hypothesis emphasises the importance of species diversity to the ecosystem. This hypothesis was given by David Tillman.

 2. It states that rich diversity leads to lesser variation in biomass production over a period of time and species richness is not needed for maintaining the stability of an ecological community. 

3. If average biomass production remains fairly constant over a period of time, then that community remains stable. 

4. The stable community remains strong to withstand disturbances and also recover quickly. Such community is resistant to invasive species.

(i) Genetic diversity. 

(ii) Genetic diversity.

(a) Genetic diversity. 

(b) Ecological diversity.

Yes, productivity and diversity of a natural climax community remain constant over a time period.

(a) Genetic diversity. 

(b) Ecological diversity

• A stable community does not show much of variation in productivity from year to year.
• Such a community must be either resistant or resilient to occasional disturbances both natural and man made.
• It must be resistant to invasions by alien species.

The term biodiversity was coined by Walter Rosen in 1982.

In situ conservation:- 

It is the method of protecting the endangered species of plants or animals in the natural habitat either by protecting or cleaning up the habitat itself or by defending the species from predators.

• It helps in recovering populations in the surroundings where they have developed their distinct features.

Ex situ conservation :-

• It is the method of protecting the endangered species of plants or animals by removing them from the unsafe or threatened habitat and placing under the care of humans.
• It helps in recovering or preventing their extinction under stimulated conditions.

In situ conservation is the process of protecting the whole ecosystem and its biodiversity at all levels. The endangered species of plants and animals are protected in their natural habitat without disturbing them from their own habitat. It helps in recovering the population in the surroundings where they have developed their distinctive features.

Hotspots -

These are the regions with high levels of species richness and high degree of endemism to provide maximum protection.

Biosphere reserves –

These are ecologically unique and biodiversity rich regions that are legally protected. In India there are 14 biosphere reserves.

National park and wild life sanctuaries - These are the places where animals are in their own undisturbed habitat but protected these areas by law. In India there are 90 national parks and 448 wild life sanctuaries are there.

Sacred groves –

These are some patches of forest where all the trees and wild life with in are venerated and given total protection,

eg: Sarpakavu in Kerala. Sarguja area of M.P. etc.

(a) Fishes
(b) Edward Wilson
(c) Amazon forest
(d) Western ghat
(e) Insect.

In ex – situ conservation the threatened species of plants and animals are taken out of their natural habitat and placed in special settings where they can be protected and given special care.

(1) Zoological parks –

The places where many animals that have become extinct in the wild, continue to be maintained.

(2) Botanical gardens –

The place where many endangered and threatened species of plants are kept. It allows other plants which are used for reference or project purposes. In India there are 35 botanical gardens.

(3) Cryopreservation – 

It is the storage of materials at ultra low temperature of -196°C either by rapid cooling or by gradual cooling and simultaneous dehydration at low temperature.

(4) Tissue culture and micro propagation – 

This method is used for preserving the germplasm and growing a number of plants from small parts of organs.

(5) Seed banks –

Seeds of different genetic varieties of commercially important plants can be kept for long periods.

Sacred groves are the tracts of forests that are set a side where all the trees and wild life are venerated and given a complete protection.
In India sacred grooves are found in

• Kashi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya
• Aravalli hills of Rajasthan
• Western Ghat regions of Karnataka and Maharashtra.
• Sarguja, Chanda and Bastar areas of M.R
• Sarpakavu of Kerala.

Correct option is (d) Colleges teaching courses on biodiversity

In many cultures, tracts of forest were set aside, and all the trees and wildlife within were venerated and given total protection. Such sacred groves are found in Khasi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya, Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan, Western Ghat regions of Karnataka and Maharashtra and the Sarguja. Chanda and Bastar areas of Madhya Pradesh. In Meghalaya, the sacred groves are the last refuges for a large number of rare and threatened plants.

Ecosystem services regulate and protects ecosystem that are essential for maintaining climate and ecology of area. Control of soil erosion

• Plant roots hold soil particles firmly.
• Plant cover protects soil from erosion by wind and water.
• Plants increases porosity and fertility of the soil.

Control of floods It is carried by retention of water and prevention of runoff. Litter and humus of plants acts as sponge to retain rainwater. Plants hold soil, so prevents soil erosion. Rainwater does not run – off, so prevents flood as they filter water into soil.

(i) Genetic diversity : A single species might show high diversity at the genetic level over its distributional range. The genetic variation shown by the medicinal plant Rauwolfia vomitoria. 

(ii) Species diversity : It is the product of both species richness and everness i.e. species richness is weighed by species everness. 

e,q., amphibian species are found more in the western ghats as compared to the eastern ghats.

Humans have always depended on nature for food and shelter, but when need turns to 'greed', it leads to over-exploitation of natural resources. Many species extinctions in the last 500 years (Steller's sea cow, passenger pigeon) were due to over-exploitation by humans. 

Presently, many marine fish populations around the world are over harvested, endangering the continued existence of some commercially important species.

Human population has grown exponentially along with industrial development, both of these have resulted in the rampant loss of natural resources in last ten decades.