Biodiversity and Conservation RBSE PYQ (2013-2015)

Biodiversity and Conservation is one of the most important chapters in RBSE Class 12 Biology. This chapter contains the meaning and importance of biodiversity, its levels and patterns, major threats to biodiversity and methods of conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation RBSE PYQ contains all PYQs from 2013-2025. It makes revision easier and exam preparation better. Here is the YouTube video lecture on this topic (Biodiversity and Conservation RBSE PYQ):

Board Exam 2013

1. “The accelerated rate of species extinction is due to human activities” Explain the statement with reasons. (2)
Answer: The accelerated rates of species extinction are due to human activities. There are four major causes of it (“The Evil Quartet”).

1. Habitat loss and fragmentation.
2. Over-exploitation.
3. Alien species invasions.
4. Co-extinction.

Board Exam – 2014

2. Explain any two reasons of biodiversity loss. (2)
Answer: Over-exploitation: When human need for natural resources converted into human greed, it leads to over-exploitation of natural resources. This over-exploitation leads extinction of over-exploited species. Examples: Steller’s sea cow, passenger pigeon.
Co-extinctions: When a species becomes extinct, the plant and animal species associated with it in an obligatory way also become extinct. Example: In plant-pollinator mutualism, extinction of one leads to the extinction of the other.

3. Differentiate between In-situ conservation and Ex-situ conservation. (2)
Answer: In-situ conservation: It is on site conservation, where a species is conserved in their natural habitats. Example: Biosphere reserves, national parks and sanctuaries.
Ex-situ conservation: It is off site conservation, where a species is conserved outside their natural habitats. Example: Zoological Park, botanical garden etc.

Board Exam – 2015

4.  What suggestions will you give to save an imbalanced ecosystem? (2)
Answer: Communities with more species, generally, tend to be more stable than those with less species. So, maintain biodiversity to save an imbalanced ecosystem. Here are some suggestions for it:

1. Habitat restoration.
2. Sustainable Practices to avoid overexploitation.
3. Prevent alien species invasion.
4. Insitu and exsitu conservation of biodiversity.

Board Exam – 2016

5. What is biodiversity? Mention the causes of loss of biodiversity (Any three). (½+1½)
Answer: According to Edward Wilson, combined diversity at all the levels of biological organization is known as biodiversity. The most important of them are: Genetic diversity, Species diversity and Ecological diversity. Three causes of loss of biodiversity are:

1. Over-exploitation: When human need for natural resources converted into human greed, it leads to over-exploitation of natural resources. This over-exploitation leads extinction of over-exploited species. Examples: Steller’s sea cow, passenger pigeon.
2. Co-extinctions: When a species becomes extinct, the plant and animal species associated with it in an obligatory way also become extinct. Example: In plant-pollinator mutualism, extinction of one lead to the extinction of the other.
3. Habitat loss and Fragmentation: Habitat loss is most important cause of biodiversity loss. Example: The Amazon rainforest is being cut and cleared for cultivating soya beans or for conversion to grasslands for raising beef cattle. When large habitats are broken up into small fragments due to various human activities.

Board Exam – 2017 

6. Give four causes of loss in biodiversity. Explain the adverse effects on native species on invasion of Alien species in a habitat. (2)
Answer: The Evil Quartet: Four causes of loss in biodiversity are Habitat loss and fragmentation, Over-exploitation, Alien species invasions and Co-extinction.
Alien species invasion: When alien species are introduced unintentionally or deliberately for whatever purpose, some of them turn invasive, and cause decline or extinction of indigenous species. Example: Introduction of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus for aquaculture purpose is posing a threat to the indigenous catfishes in our rivers.

Board Exam – 2017 (Supp)

7.  What are the reasons of more biological diversity in tropical regions than temperate regions? (2)
Answer: Due to following reasons:

1. Speciation is generally a function of time and tropical regions have remained relatively undisturbed than temperate regions towards frequent glaciation. So, tropical regions had a long evolutionary time for species diversification.
2. Tropical environments, unlike temperate ones, are less seasonal, relatively more constant and predictable.
3. There is more solar energy available in the tropical regions than temperate regions. It contributes higher productivity and greater diversity.

Board Exam – 2018

8.  Explain any two reasons which causes the losses of biodiversity. (2)
Answer: Over-exploitation: When human need for natural resources converted into human greed, it leads to over-exploitation of natural resources. This over-exploitation leads extinction of over-exploited species. Examples: Steller’s sea cow, passenger pigeon.
Co-extinctions: When a species becomes extinct, the plant and animal species associated with it in an obligatory way also become extinct. Example: In plant-pollinator mutualism, extinction of one lead to the extinction of the other.

Board Exam – 2018 (Supp)

9. Why should we conserve biodiversity explain by giving two reasons. (2)
Answer: All the reasons to conserve biodiversity can be grouped into three categories:

1. Narrowly utilitarian: These arguments focus on the direct economic benefits that biodiversity provides to humans.
   Examples: Food (cereals, pulses, fruits), firewood, fiber, construction material, industrial products and medicines.
2. Broadly utilitarian: These arguments focus on the broader benefits that biodiversity offers to human well-being and the environment. Examples: Ecosystem services, aesthetic pleasure and scientific value etc.
3. Ethical reasons: These arguments are based on moral responsibility, intrinsic value of biodiversity.

Board Exam – 2019 to 2021

(Different Syllabus, only selected questions for Current Syllabus)

Board Exam – 2022

10. When a species becomes extinct, the other plant and animal species associated with it is obligatory to extinct, is called _________. (1)
Answer: Coextinctions.

11. What is ex-situ conservation? (1)
Answer: It is off site conservation, where a species is conserved outside their natural habitats. Example: Zoological Park, botanical garden etc.

12. Explain one cause for the loss of biodiversity? (1½)
Answer: Over-exploitation: When human need for natural resources converted into human greed, it leads to over-exploitation of natural resources. This over-exploitation leads extinction of over-exploited species. Examples: Steller’s sea cow, passenger pigeon.

13. Define species area relationship patterns of biodiversity. (1½)
Answer: Alexander von Humboldt observed that within a region species richness increased with increasing explored area but only up to a limit.

log S = log C + Z log A

Where: S = Species richness, A = Area, Z = Slope of the line, C = Y-intercept

Board Exam – 2023

14. Example of In-situ conservation of biodiversity is: (1)

1. Wildlife Sanctuaries
2. Zoological Park
3. Botanical Garden
4. Wildlife Safari park

15. The world Summit on Sustainable Development held in 2002 in _______ South Africa. (1)
Answer: Johannesburg.

Board Exam – 2024

16. When was the world summit on sustainable development held in Johannesburg: (½)

1. 1990
2. 2002
3. 2010
4. 2020

Note: The Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The World Summit held in 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

17. Example of a hotspot is: (½)

1. North Indian Plains
2. South Indian Plains
3. Tundra Region
4. Himalayas

18. Introduction of the African catfish _______ for aquaculture purposes in our rivers. (½)
Answer: Clarias gariepinus.

19. Explain In situ conservation by giving an example. (1½)
Answer: In-situ conservations on site conservation, where a species is conserved in their natural habitats. Example: Biosphere reserves (14), national parks (90), wildlife sanctuaries (448) and sacred groves.

Board Exam – 2024 (Supp)

20. Initially, how many biodiversity hot spot were identified? (½)

1. 23
2. 24
3. 25
4. 26

Note: Regions with very high levels of species richness and high degree of endemism (species confined to that region and not found anywhere else) is known as Biodiversity hotspot. Initially 25 and now 34. Three hotspots in India: Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, Indo-Burma and Himalaya.

21. Loss of biodiversity in a region may lead to _______ plant productivity. (½)
Answer: Decrease.

22. Explain one cause of biodiversity loss. (1½)
Answer: Co-extinctions: When a species becomes extinct, the plant and animal species associated with it in an obligatory way also become extinct. Example: In plant-pollinator mutualism, extinction of one lead to the extinction of the other.

Board Exam 2025

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