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The Bengal Florican, a medium-sized bustard and crucial grassland indicator species, faces severe population decline.
Primary threats include extensive habitat loss due to land conversion, agricultural expansion, and habitat fragmentation.
Its dwindling numbers highlight the urgent need for conservation of vital grassland ecosystems.
Known by local names like 'ulu-mo’ra' in Assamese and 'daotriling' in Bodo.
An 'indicator species' is an organism whose presence, absence, or abundance reflects the health or specific environmental conditions of an ecosystem. The Bengal Florican's decline signals degradation in grassland health. 'Habitat fragmentation' is the process where large, continuous habitats are divided into smaller, isolated patches, often by human activities, leading to reduced biodiversity and increased extinction risk for species like the Florican.
Simple Analogy: An indicator species is like a canary in a coal mine; its well-being tells us about the overall health of its environment. Habitat fragmentation is like breaking a large cake into many small crumbs, making it harder for animals to find enough food or mates.
Other critically endangered bustard species in India facing similar threats to grassland habitats.
Understanding their ecological importance, threats, and conservation strategies.
Global standard for assessing the conservation status of species.
Process to evaluate the environmental consequences of a plan or project, crucial for preventing habitat loss.
GS Paper III: Environment & Ecology – Biodiversity, Conservation, Environmental Degradation, Habitat Loss.
General Awareness: Environment, Flora & Fauna, Endangered Species.
General Awareness: Environmental issues, conservation.
General Science & GK: Biodiversity, environmental protection.
General Knowledge: Environment, wildlife, conservation efforts.
Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Marsupials are not naturally found in India. Statement-II: Marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Answer: Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
Consider the following: 1. Carbon monoxide 2. Methane 3. Ozone 4. Sulphur dioxide Which of the above are released into atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue?
Answer: 1, 2, 3 and 4
Which of the following countries are well known as the two largest cocoa producers in the world?
Answer: Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana
High for environment and ecology sections across various competitive exams, especially UPSC.
A critically endangered bustard species.
A species whose presence/absence reflects ecosystem health.
Breaking up of large habitats into smaller, isolated patches.
Highest risk category for wild species on the IUCN Red List.