Unit 5: Biogeography - Practice Quiz

GEO295 — Physical Geography 50 Questions
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1 Which term describes the scientific study of the origin, formation, classification, and distribution of soils?

A. Pedology
B. Geomorphology
C. Hydrology
D. Petrology

2 Which of the following is considered an 'active' factor in soil formation?

A. Relief
B. Climate
C. Parent material
D. Time

3 The vertical section of soil extending from the surface to the parent material is known as:

A. Soil Structure
B. Soil Horizon
C. Soil Texture
D. Soil Profile

4 In a standard soil profile, which horizon is known as the 'Zone of Eluviation' or leaching?

A. A Horizon
B. B Horizon
C. O Horizon
D. E Horizon

5 Which soil horizon is primarily composed of organic matter such as decomposing leaves and humus?

A. B Horizon
B. O Horizon
C. A Horizon
D. C Horizon

6 The process of removal of silica from the soil and the accumulation of iron and aluminum oxides in tropical regions is called:

A. Laterization
B. Podzolization
C. Gleying
D. Calcification

7 Which soil type is characteristically found in the coniferous forest belts of the sub-arctic regions?

A. Laterite
B. Chernozem
C. Podzol
D. Sierozem

8 Soils that are transported and deposited by agents like rivers, wind, or glaciers are known as:

A. Azonal soils
B. Zonal soils
C. Residual soils
D. Intrazonal soils

9 What is the primary cause of soil salinization in arid and semi-arid regions?

A. Overgrazing
B. Poor drainage and excessive irrigation
C. Excessive rainfall
D. Wind erosion

10 Chernozem soils, known for being rich in humus and highly fertile, are associated with which biome?

A. Desert
B. Tundra
C. Temperate Grasslands
D. Tropical Rainforest

11 Which type of soil erosion involves the uniform removal of a thin layer of soil from the land surface?

A. Bank erosion
B. Sheet erosion
C. Rill erosion
D. Gully erosion

12 When rill erosion is neglected and the channels become large and deep, it transforms into:

A. Gully erosion
B. Wind erosion
C. Splash erosion
D. Sheet erosion

13 Which conservation method involves ploughing across the slope rather than up and down?

A. Terracing
B. Contour ploughing
C. Crop rotation
D. Mulching

14 What is the main purpose of planting shelterbelts?

A. To store water underground
B. To produce timber for export
C. To increase soil salinity
D. To reduce wind speed and prevent wind erosion

15 Edaphic factors influencing the distribution of plants refer to:

A. Climatic conditions
B. Topographical features
C. Atmospheric pressure
D. Soil properties

16 Plants adapted to survive in dry conditions with very little water are called:

A. Xerophytes
B. Halophytes
C. Mesophytes
D. Hydrophytes

17 Which factor is primarily responsible for the 'Altitudinal Zonation' of vegetation in mountain regions?

A. Wind direction
B. Soil salinity
C. Distance from the sea
D. Decrease in temperature with height

18 The 'Wallace Line' separates the faunal regions of:

A. Europe and Africa
B. Antarctica and South America
C. Asia and Australia
D. North America and South America

19 Which of the following is a major anthropogenic cause of deforestation?

A. Expansion of agriculture
B. Volcanic eruptions
C. Tsunami
D. Forest fires caused by lightning

20 The concept of 'Social Forestry' primarily aims to:

A. Conduct genetic research on trees
B. Create private hunting grounds
C. Manage forests for the benefit of local communities
D. Export rare timber

21 Agroforestry is best defined as:

A. Cutting down forests for agriculture
B. The practice of integrating trees with crops and/or livestock
C. Growing only medicinal plants
D. Forestry on government land only

22 Which type of social forestry involves farmers growing trees on their own farmland for commercial or non-commercial purposes?

A. Farm Forestry
B. Community Forestry
C. Urban Forestry
D. Extension Forestry

23 What is 'In-situ' conservation?

A. Conserving species in gene banks
B. Conserving species in botanical gardens
C. Conserving species in zoos
D. Conserving species in their natural habitats

24 Which soil horizon is known as the 'Zone of Illuviation' or accumulation?

A. C Horizon
B. A Horizon
C. B Horizon
D. R Horizon

25 The arrangement of soil particles into clumps or aggregates is referred to as:

A. Soil pH
B. Soil Porosity
C. Soil Structure
D. Soil Texture

26 Which biome is characterized by the highest biodiversity?

A. Tropical Rainforest
B. Taiga
C. Tundra
D. Savanna

27 Mangrove forests are typically found in:

A. Freshwater lakes interiors
B. Coastal saline or brackish waters
C. High altitude mountains
D. Deep desert oases

28 The breakdown of rocks in situ without transportation is called:

A. Weathering
B. Erosion
C. Mass wasting
D. Deposition

29 Which gas is primarily sequestered by forests, making deforestation a contributor to climate change?

A. Carbon Dioxide
B. Argon
C. Oxygen
D. Nitrogen

30 The 'R' horizon in a soil profile represents:

A. Topsoil
B. Subsoil
C. Parent material
D. Bedrock

31 Which conservation measure involves constructing steps on steep slopes to prevent soil erosion?

A. Mulching
B. Strip cropping
C. Terracing
D. Basin listing

32 Which of the following is an example of Ex-situ conservation?

A. Seed Bank
B. Biosphere Reserve
C. National Park
D. Wildlife Sanctuary

33 The distinct vertical layers of soil are collectively called:

A. Soil Pedons
B. Soil Regolith
C. Soil Clods
D. Soil Horizons

34 In the USDA Soil Taxonomy, soils with permafrost within 100 cm of the surface are classified as:

A. Andisols
B. Histosols
C. Vertisols
D. Gelisols

35 Which factor prevents trees from growing in the Tundra biome?

A. Short growing season and permafrost
B. Extreme heat
C. High salinity
D. Excessive rainfall

36 Extension forestry primarily involves:

A. Farmers planting trees on private land
B. Logging in protected areas
C. Planting trees on sides of roads, canals, and railways
D. Research in laboratories

37 The process where humus is formed through the decomposition of organic matter is called:

A. Leaching
B. Humification
C. Eluviation
D. Calcification

38 Which of the following plants are adapted to high salt concentrations?

A. Halophytes
B. Epiphytes
C. Xerophytes
D. Hydrophytes

39 Vertisols are characterized by:

A. High organic content
B. Permafrost
C. Volcanic ash origin
D. High content of expanding clay

40 Shifting cultivation (Slash and burn) is a major cause of soil degradation in:

A. Tundra regions
B. Temperate Grasslands
C. Tropical Forests
D. Deserts

41 The 'C' Horizon in a soil profile consists mainly of:

A. Humus
B. Partially weathered parent material
C. Hard bedrock
D. Clay accumulation

42 The relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay in the soil determines its:

A. Color
B. Texture
C. Structure
D. Profile

43 Which of the following is NOT a measure to check soil erosion?

A. Contour Bunding
B. Crop Rotation
C. Afforestation
D. Overgrazing

44 The interaction of all living organisms with each other and with the physical environment is called:

A. Lithosphere
B. Atmosphere
C. Biosphere
D. Ecosystem

45 Photoperiodism affects plant distribution based on:

A. Intensity of light
B. Duration of light
C. Color of light
D. Angle of light

46 Which type of forestry involves raising trees on community land with the aim of providing benefits to the community as a whole?

A. Community Forestry
B. Industrial Forestry
C. Farm Forestry
D. Commercial Forestry

47 The removal of the top layer of soil leads to the loss of:

A. Solar radiation
B. Underground water
C. Bedrock
D. Nutrients and organic matter

48 Which soil forming process involves the accumulation of calcium carbonate in the soil profile?

A. Laterization
B. Calcification
C. Gleization
D. Podzolization

49 What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

A. To consume primary producers
B. To break down organic matter and recycle nutrients
C. To control the population of carnivores
D. To produce energy from sunlight

50 The festival of tree planting in India, initiated to create awareness about forest conservation, is called:

A. Green Revolution
B. Chipko Movement
C. Van Mahotsav
D. Earth Day