2002 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2002 · General Studies

Question 136: Environment and Ecology

Consider the following ecosystems:

  1. 1.Taiga
  2. 2.Tropical evergreen
  3. 3.Tropical deciduous
  4. 4.Tundra The correct sequence in decreasing order of the albedo values of these ecosystems is
a1, 4, 3, 2
b4, 1, 2, 3
c4, 1, 3, 2
d1, 4, 2, 3

AnswerThe answer is (c).

Albedo is the share of sunlight a surface reflects. Tundra, covered with snow and ice for much of the year, reflects most. The taiga's dark conifer forest reflects less, though months of snow raise its average. Tropical deciduous forest, which sheds its leaves in the dry season, reflects more than the dense dark canopy of tropical evergreen forest, which reflects least. So the order is tundra, taiga, tropical deciduous, tropical evergreen: 4, 1, 3, 2.

  • 1. Taiga: second highest albedo.
  • 2. Tropical evergreen: lowest albedo, last.
  • 3. Tropical deciduous: third.
  • 4. Tundra: highest albedo, first.
Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Puts taiga above tundra; tundra reflects more.
  • (b) Puts tropical evergreen above tropical deciduous; the dense evergreen canopy reflects less.
  • (c) Right: tundra, taiga, tropical deciduous, tropical evergreen.
  • (d) Reverses both pairs.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2002, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.