Environment Quiz: Revision |25 Apr, 2021

Dobson Unit is the most common unit for measuring ozone concentration. One Dobson Unit is the number of molecules of ozone that would be required to create a layer of pure ozone 0.01 millimeters thick at a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius and a pressure of 1 atmosphere.

Source: NOAA

Petersburg Dialogue was launched in 2010 by Germany after failed climate negotiations at the 2009 Copenhagen Summit.

• It is an informal annual meeting of the high-level ministers and representatives of various countries that enables them to have constructive exchanges on the issues of international climate actions.

• The co-chair of the Climate Dialogue is the country presiding over the next conference of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Source: The Hindu

The Southern Annular Mode (SAM), also known as the Antarctic Oscillation (AAO), refers to the (non-seasonal) north-south movement of the strong westerly winds that blow almost continuously in the mid- to high latitudes of the southern hemisphere.

Agasthyavanam was established in 1997, Agasthyavanam Biological Park is a wildlife sanctuary in Kerala.

• The Park is located near Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala.
• Agasthyavanam Biological Park is spread over an area of 23 sq. km., of which 17.5 sq. km. of the park has been dedicated for natural regeneration to develop into a dense forest.
• It is contiguous to Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The rest area of the park is left for systematic conservation programs.

• The Park has been named after the Agasthyamalai Agasthyakoodam Peak, which can be seen at a distance from the park.
• Forest Department is procuring forest produce collected by the tribe’s people of the Agasthyavanam Biological Park (ABP) and surrounding forest ranges to be sold to commercial establishments and various collectives to deal with the lockdown necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic

Source: The Hindu

The Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) was created in 2015 by the Financial Stability Board (FSB) to develop consistent climate-related financial risk disclosures for use by companies, banks, and investors in providing information to stakeholders.

• Increasing the amount of reliable information on financial institutions’ exposure to climate-related risks and opportunities will strengthen the stability of the financial system, contribute to greater understanding of climate risks and facilitate financing the transition to a more stable and sustainable economy.
• Following the publication of the final recommendations by FSB’s TCFD in June 2017, UNEP FI began a series of ‘TCFD Pilot Projects’ for banks, investors, and insurers. Participants in these pilots have worked to pioneer practical approaches for the assessment and disclosure of climate risks and opportunities.

Source: World Bank

Assam has added to India’s botanical wealth a plant that yields dragon’s blood — a bright red resin used since ancient times as medicine, body oil, varnish, incense and dye.

• A trio of researchers led by Assam Forest officials has discovered Dracaena cambodiana, a dragon tree species in the Dongka Sarpo area of West Karbi Anglong.
• This is for the first time that a dragon tree species has been reported from India.
• Dracaena cambodiana is an important medicinal plant as well as an ornamental tree.
• It is a major source of dragon’s blood, a precious traditional medicine in China.

Several antifungal and antibacterial compounds, antioxidants, flavonoids, etc., have been extracted from various parts of the plant.

Source: The Hindu

The NMSA has identified 10 key dimensions for adaptation and mitigation:

• Improved Crop Seeds, Livestock and Fish Culture
• Water Efficiency

• Pest Management
• Improved Farm Practices
• Nutrient Management
• Agricultural Insurance
• Credit Support

• Markets
• Access to Information
• Livelihood Diversification

Source: Shankar page no: 239

The gray slender loris (primate) is found in India and Sri Lanka. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Source: Shankar page no: 220

Some organizations that help in monitoring the atmosphere and form a network of information’s communication about the atmosphere, including ozone layer monitoring are:

• World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
• World Weather Watch (WWW)

• Integrated Global Ocean Services Systems (IGOSS)
• Global Climate Observing System (GCOS)

Source: Shankar page no: 217

Nameri Tiger Reserve (declared in 1999-2000) is located in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas in the Sonitpur district of the state of Assam.

• It is on the interstate border with Arunachal Pradesh. The Pakke Tiger Reserve of Arunachal Pradesh adjoins it on its north-eastern point.
• The river Jia-Bhareli (a tributary of Brahmaputra River) with its tributaries, the Nameri, Upper Dikorai and Bor Dikorai flow through the Reserve.
• Besided Tiger, the reserve is also home to the sambar, barking deer, wild boar and bison.

Source: The Hindu