10 PM Current Affairs Quiz #7 July 8, 2019

Explanation: Flagship species:
A flagship species is a species selected to act as an ambassador, icon or symbol for a defined habitat, issue, campaign or environmental cause. By focusing on, and achieving conservation of that species, the status of many other species which share its habitat – or are vulnerable to the same threats – may also be improved. Flagship species are usually relatively large, and considered to be ‘charismatic’ in western cultures. Flagship species may or may not be keystone species and may or may not be good indicators of biological process.

Explanation: When the energy sector releases mercury (Hg) as a pollutant, it creates environmental problems. Both humans and natural sources release mercury; burning coal specifically releases quite a bit of mercury. Human activity contribute anywhere from 50-90% of the mercury present in the environment.
The estimates are not more precise because it is difficult to figure out how much re-emitted mercury was initially emitted by humans. Re-emission occurs when previously stored mercury is reintroduced into the environment by forest fires or other means, and requires complex modelling techniques to determine how much can be traced back to human emissions.

Explanation: In pursuant to the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order dated December 02, 2016 in the matter of M. C. Mehta vs. Union of India regarding air quality in National Capital Region of Delhi, a Graded Response Action Plan has been prepared for implementation under different Air Quality Index (AQI) categories namely, Moderate & Poor, Very Poor, and Severe as per National Air Quality Index. A new category of “Severe+ or Emergency” has been added. Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change has notified for implementation of Graded Response Action Plan through Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority.
It works only as an emergency measure. As such, the plan does not include action by various state governments to be taken throughout the year to tackle industrial, vehicular and combustion emissions. When the air quality shifts from poor to very poor, the measures listed have to be followed since the plan is incremental in nature.

Explanation: The Pioneer species are hardy species which are the first to colonize barren environments or previously biodiverse steady-state ecosystems that have been disrupted, such as by fire. Some lichens grow on rocks without soil, so may be among the first of life forms, and break down the rocks into soil for plants.
Examples of the plants and organisms that colonize such areas are pioneer species:
•Barren sand – lyme grass, sea couch grass, Marram grass
•Salt water – green algae, marine eel grass
•Clear water – algae, mosses, freshwater eel grass
•Solidified lava flows – in Hawaii: swordfern, ‘ōhi‘a lehua, ‘ohelo and ‘āma‘u
•Disturbed areas such as construction sites, road cuttings and verges, cultivated lands –
•Bare clay – Orchids
•Mountains – Lichens

Explanation: India’s water resources:
•India is home to 17% of world’s population and has about 4% of world’s freshwater resources ranking it among the top ten water rich countries.
•Despite this, according to the Fourth Assessment report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), India is designated as a ‘Water Stressed Region’ with average annual per capita water availability of less than 1700 cubic meters.
•It receives an average annual precipitation of 4,000 billion cubic metres (BCM) which is the principle source of fresh water in the country. However, there is wide variation in precipitation across different regions of the country.

Water scarcity:
•Water scarcity is the lack of sufficient available water resources to meet the demands of water usage within a region.
•It already affects every continent and around 2.8 billion people around the world at least one month out of every year.
•Water scarcity involves water stress, water shortage or deficits, and water crisis. While the concept of water stress is relatively new, it is the difficulty of obtaining sources of fresh water for use during a period of time and may result in further depletion and deterioration of available water resources.
•Water shortages may be caused by climate change, such as altered weather patterns including droughts or floods, increased pollution, and increased human demand and overuse of water.
•A water crisis is a situation where the available potable, unpolluted water within a region is less than that region’s demand.