MCQs on “Biosphere Reserves: Role in Conservation”
1. What is the primary purpose of a Biosphere Reserve?
a) To conserve the natural resources of a country
b) To protect endangered species
c) To promote sustainable development and conservation of biodiversity
d) To maintain the economic growth of a region
Answer: c) To promote sustainable development and conservation of biodiversity
2. Which of the following is a key feature of a Biosphere Reserve?
a) It is only for the protection of endangered species.
b) It includes a combination of conservation and sustainable use zones.
c) It is exclusively used for recreational purposes.
d) It excludes human intervention.
Answer: b) It includes a combination of conservation and sustainable use zones.
3. How many Biosphere Reserves are there in India?
a) 10
b) 18
c) 18
d) 15
Answer: b) 18
4. What does the term “core zone” in a Biosphere Reserve refer to?
a) An area used for tourism activities
b) An area where human activities are strictly prohibited
c) An area where sustainable activities are promoted
d) An area where scientific research is not allowed
Answer: b) An area where human activities are strictly prohibited
5. Which of the following is an example of a Biosphere Reserve in India?
a) Manas Biosphere Reserve
b) Yellowstone Biosphere Reserve
c) Banff Biosphere Reserve
d) Great Barrier Reef Biosphere Reserve
Answer: a) Manas Biosphere Reserve
6. What is the function of the buffer zone in a Biosphere Reserve?
a) To limit human activities entirely
b) To protect the entire area from pollution
c) To allow for human activities in a sustainable manner
d) To restore damaged ecosystems
Answer: c) To allow for human activities in a sustainable manner
7. The concept of “Biosphere Reserves” was introduced by which organization?
a) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
b) International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
c) World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
d) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Answer: d) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
8. Biosphere Reserves are part of which international program?
a) UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme
b) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Program
c) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
d) World Heritage Sites Programme
Answer: a) UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme
9. What is the significance of the transitional zone in a Biosphere Reserve?
a) It is an area for industrial development
b) It allows for the conservation of endangered species
c) It acts as a zone for education, research, and sustainable land use
d) It prohibits all forms of human activity
Answer: c) It acts as a zone for education, research, and sustainable land use
10. What is one of the key benefits of establishing Biosphere Reserves?
a) Promoting urban development
b) Facilitating hunting and poaching
c) Conserving genetic diversity of flora and fauna
d) Encouraging non-sustainable land practices
Answer: c) Conserving genetic diversity of flora and fauna
11. Which of the following activities is allowed in the buffer zone of a Biosphere Reserve?
a) Commercial mining
b) Recreational fishing
c) Sustainable farming and forestry
d) Deforestation
Answer: c) Sustainable farming and forestry
12. The Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve is famous for which of the following species?
a) Bengal Tiger
b) Indian Rhino
c) Ganges Dolphin
d) Snow Leopard
Answer: a) Bengal Tiger
13. What does the term “Biosphere” refer to in the context of Biosphere Reserves?
a) The part of the Earth where life exists
b) The area with the highest concentration of species
c) The Earth’s atmosphere
d) Only the land ecosystems
Answer: a) The part of the Earth where life exists
14. In which year was the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) established by UNESCO?
a) 1971
b) 1992
c) 1980
d) 2000
Answer: a) 1971
15. How do Biosphere Reserves contribute to biodiversity conservation?
a) By preserving genetic diversity in natural habitats
b) By enabling mass hunting of endangered species
c) By focusing on human development alone
d) By reducing the protected areas of wildlife
Answer: a) By preserving genetic diversity in natural habitats
16. Which Biosphere Reserve is located in the Western Ghats and is known for its rich biodiversity?
a) Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
b) Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
c) Simlipal Biosphere Reserve
d) Rann of Kutch Biosphere Reserve
Answer: a) Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
17. Which of the following is NOT a function of Biosphere Reserves?
a) To promote sustainable tourism
b) To eliminate human presence in nature
c) To protect species and ecosystems
d) To study ecological processes and human-environment interactions
Answer: b) To eliminate human presence in nature
18. What is the role of education and awareness programs in Biosphere Reserves?
a) To spread the importance of conservation to local communities
b) To promote industries near the reserve
c) To focus only on the flora and fauna without human involvement
d) To discourage eco-tourism
Answer: a) To spread the importance of conservation to local communities
19. What is one of the main criteria for selecting a Biosphere Reserve?
a) The reserve should have only plant species
b) The area must be free from any human activity
c) The area must have significant ecological, biological, or cultural value
d) The area should have urban development potential
Answer: c) The area must have significant ecological, biological, or cultural value
20. Which of the following is a primary threat to Biosphere Reserves?
a) Sustainable farming practices
b) Industrialization and urban sprawl
c) Scientific research
d) Conservation programs
Answer: b) Industrialization and urban sprawl
21. What is a key focus of research within Biosphere Reserves?
a) Focusing solely on commercial interests
b) Investigating ecological and environmental processes
c) Promoting mass deforestation
d) Development of new urban areas
Answer: b) Investigating ecological and environmental processes
22. How do Biosphere Reserves help in the fight against climate change?
a) By reducing all human activities in the area
b) By protecting carbon-absorbing ecosystems such as forests
c) By encouraging high-carbon activities like mining
d) By promoting urbanization
Answer: b) By protecting carbon-absorbing ecosystems such as forests
23. What is the role of local communities in the management of Biosphere Reserves?
a) They are only allowed to exploit resources freely.
b) They play a critical role in managing the Reserve through sustainable practices.
c) They are completely excluded from any activities.
d) They are responsible for economic development of the reserve.
Answer: b) They play a critical role in managing the Reserve through sustainable practices.
24. The ‘Ranthambhore Biosphere Reserve’ is located in which Indian state?
a) Rajasthan
b) Madhya Pradesh
c) Gujarat
d) Uttarakhand
Answer: a) Rajasthan
25. What is the main goal of the UNESCO’s “Man and the Biosphere” program?
a) To ensure the survival of human civilizations
b) To establish world heritage sites
c) To create global biosphere reserves for biodiversity conservation
d) To promote urban development in reserves
Answer: c) To create global biosphere reserves for biodiversity conservation
26. How do Biosphere Reserves contribute to local economies?
a) By exploiting resources in an unsustainable manner
b) Through eco-tourism and sustainable practices that promote local livelihoods
c) By promoting industrialization
d) By concentrating only on research without human involvement
Answer: b) Through eco-tourism and sustainable practices that promote local livelihoods
27. Which of the following ecosystems is often found within a Biosphere Reserve?
a) Urban areas
b) Forests, wetlands, and marine ecosystems
c) Highways and cities
d) Commercial farms
Answer: b) Forests, wetlands, and marine ecosystems
28. What is a key strategy in the management of Biosphere Reserves?
a) Mass deforestation
b) Uncontrolled mining
c) Balancing conservation with human development
d) Limiting all forms of scientific research
Answer: c) Balancing conservation with human development
29. Which is a key challenge faced by Biosphere Reserves globally?
a) Lack of wildlife protection
b) Rising industrialization and land use conflicts
c) Under-exploration of biodiversity
d) Increasing scientific research
Answer: b) Rising industrialization and land use conflicts
30. What are the benefits of the core zone in a Biosphere Reserve?
a) It is used for economic activities
b) It preserves biodiversity and ecosystems by preventing human interference
c) It is open for tourism and recreation
d) It promotes large-scale agriculture
Answer: b) It preserves biodiversity and ecosystems by preventing human interference
