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SCAD GROUP OF INSTITUTIONS

B.E.,/ B.Tech., DEGREE EXAMINATION, COMMON INTERNAL ASSESMENT TEST-I

Fourth Semester
GE6351- ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Answer Key
PART-A

1. What is ecological succession? Mention their types.


The progressive replacement of one community by another till the development of
stable community in particular area is called ecological succession.
Types: (i) Primary succession
(a) Hydrosere (b) Xerosere
(ii) Secondary succession
2. Define the term producer and consumers.
Producer synthesizes their food themselves through photosynthesis.
(i) Consumers are organisms which cannot prepare their own food and depends
directly or indirectly on the producer.

3. Why is India is a mega diversity nation


India is one among the 12 mega diversity countries in the world. It has 89,450
animal species accounting for 7.31% of the global faunal species and 47,000 plant species
which accounts for 10.8% of the world floral species. The loss of biodiversity or endemism is
about 33%
4. What are the characteristics of desert ecosystem?

i) The desert air is dry and climate is hot.


ii) Annual rainfall is less than 25cm.
iii) The soil is very poor in nutrients and organic matter.
iv) Vegetation is poor.

5. What are called endangered species?


A species is said to be endangered, when its number has been reduced to critical level
unless it is protected and conserved, it is in immediate danger of extinction. Example African
elephant, Giant panda, Siberian tiger, Sandal wood tree, peacock.
6. What are biodiversity hot-spot? Give examples.
The hot spots are the geographic areas which possess high endemic species.
Example: i) East Himalayas ii) Western Ghats.
7. What are the major causes of man-wildlife conflicts?

i) Shrinking of forest
ii) Human encroachment into the forest area.
iii) The villagers put electric wiring around their crop fields.
iv) The cash compensation paid by the government for the damage caused
by the wild animals, is not enough.
PART-B

8. Discuss in detail about the nitrogen cycle.


Diagram (3)
Explanation (5)
9. (a) i) Explain the characteristic features, types and functions of a forest ecosystem.
Characteristic features (6),
Types (6)
Functions (4)
Or
(b) i) Explain about the ecological succession and their types
Definition (2)
Explanation (2)
ii) Explain the characteristics features and function of desert ecosystem
Characteristics features (4)
Function (4)
10. a) i) Explain about the Conservation of biodiversity.
In-situ conservation (8)
` Ex-situ conservation(8)
Or
b) i) Discuss about the threats to biodiversity.
Habitat loss (4)
Man-wildlife conflict (6)
Poaching of wildlife (6)

11. a) Discuss in detail about biodiversity at National level(India) and Local level.

National level (8)


Local level (8)
Or
b) Explain the structure and function of Terrestrial ecosystem.

Structure (8)
Function (8)

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