ENVIRONMENT - SHANKAR IAS
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026 VERIFIED.
Define Ecology. - ANS Ecology is defined "as a scientific study of the relationship
of the living organisms with each other and with their
environment
How many main levels of organizations of ecology exist? Name them. - ANS "1. Individual -
Organism is an individual living being that has the ability
to act or function independently. It may be plant, animal,
bacterium, fungi, etc.
2. Population - Population is a group of organisms usually of the same
species, occupying a defined area during a specific time.
3. Community - group of populations of various species
a. Major Community - These are large-sized, well organized and relatively independent.
They depend only on the sun's energy from outside
and are independent of the inputs and outputs from
adjacent communities
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 206
,b. Minor Community - These are dependent on neighbouring communities and
are often called societies. They are secondary aggregations
within a major community and are not therefore completely
independent units as far as energy and nutrient
dynamics are concerned. e.g: A mat of lichen on a cow
dung pad.
4. Ecosystem - An ecosystem is defined as a structural and functional unit
of biosphere consisting of community of living beings and
the physical environment, both interacting and exchanging
materials between them.
It includes plants, trees, animals, fish, birds, micro-organisms,
water, soil, and people.
a. Abiotic Components
i. Energy
ii. Rainfall
iii. Temperature
iv. Atmosphere
v. Substratum
vi. Materials
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 206
,vii. Latitude & Altitude
b. Biotic Components
i. Primary Producers (Autotrophs)
ii. Consumers (Hetereotrophs or phagotrophs)
# Macro Consumers
## Micro Consumers
"
Define environment. - ANS The environment is defined as 'the sum total of living,
non-living components; influences and events, surrounding
an organism.
What are autotrophs, phagotrophs, heterotrops, osmotrophs, and saprotrophs? - ANS
What is an Ecotone? - ANS "Ecotone is a zone of junction between two or more diverse
ecosystems. For e.g. the mangrove forests represent an
ecotone between marine and terrestrial ecosystem
Characteristics of Ecotone
• It may be very narrow or quite wide.
• It has the conditions intermediate to the adjacent ecosystems.
Hence it is a zone of tension.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 206
, • It is linear as it shows progressive increase in species
composition of one in coming community and a simultaneous
decrease in species of the other out going adjoining
community.
• A well developed ecotones contain some organisms
which are entirely different from that of the adjoining
communities.
"
Explain the 'edge effect with respect to ecotones - ANS Sometimes the number of species
and the population
density of some of the species is much greater in this
zone than either community. This is called edge effect.
With reference to ecosystems, what is meant by 'Niche'? - ANS A niche is the unique
functional role or place of a species
in an ecosystem. It is a description of all the biological,
physical and chemical factors that a species needs to survive,
stay healthy and reproduce.
A niche is unique for a species, which means no two species
have exact identical niches. Niche plays an important role
in conservation of organisms.
If we have to conserve species in its native habitat we
should have knowledge about the niche requirements of
the species and should ensure that all requirements of its
niche are fulfilled.
Types of Niche
1. Habitat niche - where it lives
2. Food niche - what is eats or decomposes & what species
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 4 OF 206
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026 VERIFIED.
Define Ecology. - ANS Ecology is defined "as a scientific study of the relationship
of the living organisms with each other and with their
environment
How many main levels of organizations of ecology exist? Name them. - ANS "1. Individual -
Organism is an individual living being that has the ability
to act or function independently. It may be plant, animal,
bacterium, fungi, etc.
2. Population - Population is a group of organisms usually of the same
species, occupying a defined area during a specific time.
3. Community - group of populations of various species
a. Major Community - These are large-sized, well organized and relatively independent.
They depend only on the sun's energy from outside
and are independent of the inputs and outputs from
adjacent communities
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 206
,b. Minor Community - These are dependent on neighbouring communities and
are often called societies. They are secondary aggregations
within a major community and are not therefore completely
independent units as far as energy and nutrient
dynamics are concerned. e.g: A mat of lichen on a cow
dung pad.
4. Ecosystem - An ecosystem is defined as a structural and functional unit
of biosphere consisting of community of living beings and
the physical environment, both interacting and exchanging
materials between them.
It includes plants, trees, animals, fish, birds, micro-organisms,
water, soil, and people.
a. Abiotic Components
i. Energy
ii. Rainfall
iii. Temperature
iv. Atmosphere
v. Substratum
vi. Materials
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 206
,vii. Latitude & Altitude
b. Biotic Components
i. Primary Producers (Autotrophs)
ii. Consumers (Hetereotrophs or phagotrophs)
# Macro Consumers
## Micro Consumers
"
Define environment. - ANS The environment is defined as 'the sum total of living,
non-living components; influences and events, surrounding
an organism.
What are autotrophs, phagotrophs, heterotrops, osmotrophs, and saprotrophs? - ANS
What is an Ecotone? - ANS "Ecotone is a zone of junction between two or more diverse
ecosystems. For e.g. the mangrove forests represent an
ecotone between marine and terrestrial ecosystem
Characteristics of Ecotone
• It may be very narrow or quite wide.
• It has the conditions intermediate to the adjacent ecosystems.
Hence it is a zone of tension.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 206
, • It is linear as it shows progressive increase in species
composition of one in coming community and a simultaneous
decrease in species of the other out going adjoining
community.
• A well developed ecotones contain some organisms
which are entirely different from that of the adjoining
communities.
"
Explain the 'edge effect with respect to ecotones - ANS Sometimes the number of species
and the population
density of some of the species is much greater in this
zone than either community. This is called edge effect.
With reference to ecosystems, what is meant by 'Niche'? - ANS A niche is the unique
functional role or place of a species
in an ecosystem. It is a description of all the biological,
physical and chemical factors that a species needs to survive,
stay healthy and reproduce.
A niche is unique for a species, which means no two species
have exact identical niches. Niche plays an important role
in conservation of organisms.
If we have to conserve species in its native habitat we
should have knowledge about the niche requirements of
the species and should ensure that all requirements of its
niche are fulfilled.
Types of Niche
1. Habitat niche - where it lives
2. Food niche - what is eats or decomposes & what species
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 4 OF 206
