IUCN Categories & Biodiversity — Set 10
Forest & Wildlife · IUCN श्रेणियां और जैव विविधता · Questions 91–100 of 121
What percentage of Earth's species are estimated to be at risk of extinction according to IPBES's 2019 Global Assessment?
Correct Answer: D. Around 12.5%
The IPBES 2019 Global Assessment estimated that around 1 million out of 8 million species on Earth (roughly 12-13%) are threatened with extinction. This represents an unprecedented rate of biodiversity loss, accelerating due to habitat destruction, overexploitation, climate change, pollution, and invasive species. The report warned of dire consequences for human civilization if trends are not reversed.
India hosts what percentage of the world's total recorded species, making it one of the 17 megadiverse countries?
Correct Answer: C. 7-8%
India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries identified by Conservation International and hosts approximately 7-8% of all recorded species globally. This includes over 91,000 species of animals, 45,500 plants, and numerous microorganisms. India's rich biodiversity results from its varied topography, climate zones, and evolutionary history.
What does the 'extent of occurrence (EOO)' criterion in IUCN Red List assessment measure?
Correct Answer: B. Area within the outermost limits of known occurrence
Extent of Occurrence (EOO) measures the area contained within the shortest continuous imaginary boundary that can be drawn to encompass all known occurrences of a taxon. An EOO less than 100 sq km qualifies as one criterion for Critically Endangered status. EOO is different from Area of Occupancy (AOO), which measures the actual area occupied by the taxon within its overall range.
Which species has been successfully brought back from near-extinction through Project Tiger in India?
Correct Answer: B. Bengal Tiger
Project Tiger has significantly contributed to the recovery of the Bengal Tiger population in India. When Project Tiger was launched in 1973, only 1,827 tigers remained in India. By 2022, India's tiger census recorded 3,167 tigers, demonstrating a successful population recovery. India now hosts over 70% of the world's wild tiger population.
The Cheetah, once extinct in India, was reintroduced from which country in 2022?
Correct Answer: C. Namibia
On September 17, 2022, India reintroduced 8 Cheetahs from Namibia to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh under Project Cheetah. Additional cheetahs were later brought from South Africa. The Asiatic Cheetah had been declared extinct in India in 1952. The reintroduced animals are African Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus), as Asiatic Cheetahs are critically endangered in Iran.
The Purple Frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis), recently discovered in India, is classified under which IUCN category?
Correct Answer: D. Endangered (EN)
The Purple Frog (also known as the Indian Purple Frog or Pignose Frog) is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List. Discovered in 2003 in the Western Ghats, it is considered a 'living fossil' representing an ancient lineage that diverged from its closest relatives over 100 million years ago. It is endemic to the Western Ghats and represents its own family Nasikabatrachidae.
Under the Nagoya Protocol, the country providing genetic resources is known as the:
Correct Answer: C. Provider country
Under the Nagoya Protocol, the country providing genetic resources is called the 'provider country,' while the country utilizing those resources is called the 'user country.' The protocol requires prior informed consent (PIC) from the provider country and the establishment of mutually agreed terms (MAT) for benefit sharing. This framework aims to combat biopiracy and ensure equitable sharing of benefits.
The World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) that supports IUCN's biodiversity work is now part of which agency?
Correct Answer: C. UNEP (as UNEP-WCMC)
The World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) became UNEP-WCMC (United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre) and is headquartered in Cambridge, UK. It provides information for policy and action to safeguard the living world. UNEP-WCMC manages databases on global biodiversity, including the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and the CITES trade database.
Which Indian species was delisted from the IUCN Red List's threatened categories after successful conservation?
Correct Answer: B. Greater One-horned Rhinoceros
The Greater One-horned Rhinoceros was downlisted from Endangered to Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to successful conservation in India and Nepal. Its population increased from fewer than 200 in the early 1900s to over 4,000 today, largely thanks to strict protection in Kaziranga National Park (India) and Chitwan National Park (Nepal). This is considered one of the greatest conservation success stories in Asia.
The Indian Bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus), a widely distributed amphibian in India, is listed under which IUCN category?
Correct Answer: D. Least Concern (LC)
The Indian Bullfrog is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, as it is widely distributed and abundant across India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Myanmar. Despite being heavily hunted for its legs (a delicacy in some regions and exported to Europe), its population remains large enough to be of least concern. India has restrictions on commercial export of wild-caught frogs under the Wildlife Protection Act.