Q40. Which of the following is a Ramsar wetland site in Odisha?
[OSSC Combined Graduate Level, 11 October 2022]
(A) Harike
(B) Bhitarkanika
(C) Kanjia
(D) Thol
Answer: (B) Bhitarkanika
Explanation: Bhitarkanika is a coastal mangrove wetland in Odisha and a Ramsar site. Its estuarine system supports saltwater crocodiles, diverse birdlife and aquatic species. Ramsar designation recognises wetlands of international ecological significance and encourages wise use.
Q39. Which state among the following has a major area of mangrove forest?
[RRB Group D, 18 August 2022]
(A) Nagaland
(B) Telangana
(C) Maharashtra
(D) West Bengal
Answer: (D) West Bengal
Explanation: West Bengal has the Indian Sundarbans, among the country’s largest mangrove areas. These tidal forests support fisheries and coastal biodiversity while protecting adjacent land from erosion and storm-driven flooding. Their stability depends on sediment and freshwater supplies.
Q38. Which of the following constitutes the largest ecosystem on Earth?
[WBCS Mains Paper-IV, May 2022]
(A) Ocean
(B) River
(C) Forest
(D) Grassland
Answer: (A) Ocean
Explanation: The interconnected oceans cover more than seventy per cent of Earth’s surface and form its largest ecosystem. They support marine life, regulate climate through heat storage and carbon cycling, and supply fish and other resources used by coastal communities.
2021 — 5 questions
Q37. Consider statements:
1. The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters.
2. India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration in international waters.
3. Rare-earth minerals are found on the seafloor in international waters.
Which are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2021]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: The International Seabed Authority, not the Global Ocean Commission, administers mineral exploration in the international seabed area. India holds exploration contracts, and deep-sea deposits can contain rare-earth elements. Therefore statements 2 and 3 are correct.
Q36. Consider statements:
1. In tropical oceans, western sections are generally warmer than eastern sections because of trade winds.
2. In temperate oceans, westerlies help make eastern sections relatively warmer.
Which statements are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2021]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Trade winds push warm surface water westward in tropical basins, while prevailing westerlies influence circulation at middle latitudes. These patterns generate sea-temperature contrasts, affect ocean-atmosphere exchange and shape the distribution of major fishing regions.
Q35. The Marine National Park in the Gulf of Kutch lies in which Indian state?
[RRB NTPC CBT-I, 13 March 2021]
(A) Tamil Nadu
(B) Maharashtra
(C) Gujarat
(D) Kerala
Answer: (C) Gujarat
Explanation: The Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park lies along Gujarat’s western coastline near Jamnagar. The protected waters contain coral reefs, mangroves, mudflats and islands. Conservation management helps maintain food chains and protect sensitive intertidal habitats.
Q34. Which of the following is regarded as the world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest?
[SSC MTS, 7 October 2021]
(A) Godavari–Krishna delta
(B) Pichavaram
(C) Gulf of Panama coast
(D) Sundarbans
Answer: (D) Sundarbans
Explanation: The Sundarbans form a vast continuous mangrove landscape across India and Bangladesh. They are shaped by river discharge, tides and salinity. Mangroves provide habitat for estuarine organisms and form a natural barrier against coastal storms.
Q33. Variation among ecosystems such as deserts, rainforests, coral reefs and mangrove forests represents which type of biodiversity?
[SSC CGL, 16 August 2021]
(A) Ecosystem diversity
(B) Cultural diversity
(C) Species diversity only
(D) Genetic diversity only
Answer: (A) Ecosystem diversity
Explanation: Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of habitats and ecological systems within a region or on Earth. Coral reefs and mangroves are distinct marine or coastal ecosystems, each supporting specialised organisms and providing different ecological services.
2020 — 2 questions
Q32. With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), consider:
1. OMT is measured up to 129 metres in the southwest Indian Ocean during January–March.
2. OMT collected in January–March can help predict the Indian summer monsoon.
Which statements are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2020]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (B) 2 only
Explanation: Upper-ocean heat content is relevant to monsoon prediction because the sea stores and releases energy. The precise depth and region given in the first statement are incorrect, while earlier-season ocean temperature information can contribute to monsoon forecasting.
Q31. Which Indian state had the greatest area of mangrove forests among the listed options?
[Karnataka SET Geography, 2020]
(A) Madhya Pradesh
(B) Gujarat
(C) West Bengal
(D) Karnataka
Answer: (C) West Bengal
Explanation: West Bengal contains the Sundarbans, a large mangrove tract along the Bay of Bengal. Coastal mangroves occupy saline, tidal wetlands and provide nursery habitats for fish. Their cover can change with erosion, sea level and land-use pressure.
