Biodiversity and Conservation

Class 12

17 previous-year questions from this chapter every option and the correct answer, free · where the marks are

1. Levels and patterns of biodiversity

Exam focus: The species-area slope isn't a fixed number: within a region it comes out to roughly 0.1-0.2 fairly regardless of the taxonomic group studied, but measured across whole continents that same slope steepens sharply to somewhere between 0.6 and 1.2.

Levels and Patterns of Biodiversity

PW English Medium

Dedicated lecture on what biodiversity is, its levels (genetic/species/ecological), the species-area relationship, and patterns of distribution — a direct match.

BotanyNEET 2024show ▾

Match List I with List II.

List I	List II
A. Robert May	I. Species–area relationship
B. Alexander von Humboldt	II. Long-term ecosystem experiment using outdoor plots
C. Paul Ehrlich	III. Global species diversity at about 7 million
D. David Tilman	IV. Rivet popper hypothesis

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

A.A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II✓
B.A-I, B-III, C-II, D-IV
C.A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
D.A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV

Solution

Robert May estimated global species diversity at about 7 million (III); Humboldt described the species–area relationship (I); Ehrlich proposed the rivet-popper hypothesis (IV); Tilman ran long-term outdoor plot experiments (II).

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BotanyNEET 2024show ▾

Tropical regions show the greatest level of species richness because: A. Tropical latitudes have remained relatively undisturbed for millions of years, hence more time was available for species diversification. B. Tropical environments are more seasonal. C. More solar energy is available in the tropics. D. Constant environments promote niche specialisation. E. Tropical environments are constant and predictable. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

A.A and B only
B.A, B and E only
C.A, B and D only
D.A, C, D and E only✓

Solution

The tropics have had a long undisturbed evolutionary time (A), receive more solar energy that supports higher productivity (C), and have constant, predictable environments that promote niche specialisation (D, E). Tropical environments are less seasonal, so B is false.

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BotanyNEET 2020show ▾

According to Robert May, the global species diversity is about:

A.1.5 million
B.20 million
C.50 million
D.7 million✓

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BotanyNEET 2020show ▾

Which of the following regions of the globe exhibits the highest species diversity?

A.Western Ghats of India
B.Madagascar
C.Himalayas
D.Amazon forests✓

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2. Loss of biodiversity and its conservation

Exam focus: Of the "Evil Quartet," habitat loss and fragmentation is the single largest driver of biodiversity loss, ahead of over-exploitation, invasive species and co-extinction — and a region only counts as a biodiversity hotspot when it combines high endemism with being under serious threat, not richness alone.

Biodiversity and Conservation

Vedantu Biotonic for NEET

Covers the full Biodiversity and Conservation chapter — causes of biodiversity loss, hotspots, in-situ/ex-situ conservation and the Red Data Book are all in scope — bundled with the biodiversity-concept portion of the chapter rather than isolated to loss-and-conservation alone.

BotanyNEET 2025show ▾

Which one of the following is an example of ex-situ conservation?

A.National park
B.Wildlife sanctuary
C.Zoos and botanical gardens✓
D.Protected areas

Solution

Zoos, botanical gardens, seed banks and cryopreservation keep species outside their natural habitat — ex-situ conservation. National parks, sanctuaries and other protected areas are in-situ.

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ZoologyNEET 2025show ▾

Match List I with List II.

List I	List II
A. The Evil Quartet	I. Cryopreservation
B. Ex-situ conservation	II. Alien species invasion
C. Lantana camara	III. Causes of biodiversity losses
D. Dodo	IV. Extinction

Choose the option with all correct matches:

A.A-III, B-II, C-I, D-IV
B.A-III, B-I, C-II, D-IV✓
C.A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
D.A-III, B-II, C-IV, D-I

Solution

The Evil Quartet names the causes of biodiversity loss (III); cryopreservation is an ex-situ method (I); Lantana camara is an invasive alien species (II); the dodo is the classic extinction (IV).

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BotanyNEET 2024show ▾

The list of endangered species was released by:

A.WWF
B.FOAM
C.IUCN✓
D.GEAC

Solution

The IUCN maintains the Red List, the global inventory of threatened and endangered species.

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BotanyNEET 2024show ▾

The type of conservation in which threatened species are taken out of their natural habitat and placed in a special setting where they can be protected and given special care is called:

A.Biodiversity conservation✓
B.Semi-conservative method
C.Sustainable development
D.in-situ conservation

Solution

Taking threatened species out of their habitat into a protected setting — zoos, botanical gardens, seed banks, cryopreservation — is ex-situ conservation. In-situ conservation protects them in their own habitat. (Of the options offered, 'biodiversity conservation' is the accepted answer.)

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BotanyNEET 2024show ▾

These are regarded as major causes of biodiversity loss: A. Over-exploitation · B. Co-extinction · C. Mutation · D. Habitat loss and fragmentation · E. Migration Choose the correct option:

A.A, B, C and D only
B.A, B and E only
C.A, B and D only✓
D.A, C and D only

Solution

The 'Evil Quartet' of biodiversity loss is habitat loss and fragmentation, over-exploitation, alien species invasion and co-extinction. Mutation and migration are not causes. So A, B and D.

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BotanyNEET 2023show ▾

Among 'The Evil Quartet', which one is considered the most important cause driving the extinction of species?

A.Habitat loss and fragmentation✓
B.Over-exploitation for economic gain
C.Alien species invasions
D.Co-extinctions

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BotanyNEET 2023show ▾

The historic Convention on Biological Diversity, 'The Earth Summit', was held in Rio de Janeiro in the year:

A.1985
B.1992✓
C.1986
D.2002

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ZoologyNEET 2022show ▾

In situ conservation refers to:

A.Conserving only extinct species
B.Protecting and conserving the whole ecosystem✓
C.Conserving only high-risk species
D.Conserving only endangered species

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BotanyNEET 2022show ▾

Which of the following is not a method of ex situ conservation?

A.Cryopreservation
B.In vitro fertilisation
C.National parks✓
D.Micropropagation

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BotanyNEET 2022show ▾

Habitat loss and fragmentation, over-exploitation, alien species invasion and co-extinction are causes for:

A.Natality
B.Population explosion
C.Competition
D.Biodiversity loss✓

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BotanyNEET 2019show ▾

Which of the following is the most important cause for animals and plants being driven to extinction?

A.Habitat loss and fragmentation✓
B.Drought and floods
C.Economic exploitation
D.Alien species invasion

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BotanyNEET 2019show ▾

Which one of the following is NOT a method of in-situ conservation of biodiversity?

A.Biosphere reserve
B.Wildlife sanctuary
C.Botanical garden✓
D.Sacred grove

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BotanyNEET 2019show ▾

The Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 was called:

A.To reduce $C O_{2}$ emissions and global warming
B.For conservation of biodiversity and sustainable utilisation of its benefits✓
C.To assess the threat posed to native species by invasive weed species
D.For immediate steps to discontinue use of CFCs that were damaging the ozone layer

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