Daily Current Affairs Quiz: December 30, 2025

Answer: B [Only two]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Deciduous forests are dominated by trees that shed their leaves annually, usually in autumn, to conserve water during unfavorable seasons. This adaptation helps them survive cold winters or dry periods, making leaf fall a defining characteristic.

Statement 2 is correct: The Amazon Rainforest is often called the “lungs of the planet” because of its immense biodiversity and its role in producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide. It sustains countless species and regulates global climate patterns significantly.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Taiga forests, also known as boreal forests, are not tropical. They are found in cold subarctic regions such as Canada, Russia, and Scandinavia. These forests consist mainly of coniferous trees adapted to long, harsh winters.

Answer: A [1 and 3 only]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Terrestrial ecosystems are indeed found on landmasses and include forests, grasslands, deserts, and tundra. These ecosystems are defined by land-based habitats as opposed to aquatic ecosystems.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While sunlight is essential for photosynthesis, primary productivity in terrestrial ecosystems also depends on soil fertility, water availability, temperature, and nutrient cycles. It is not solely dependent on sunlight exposure.

Statement 3 is correct: Terrestrial ecosystems play a vital role in the carbon cycle. Forests act as carbon sinks by absorbing carbon dioxide, while processes like respiration, decomposition, and deforestation release carbon, making them both sources and sinks.

Statement 4 is incorrect: Terrestrial ecosystems vary widely in temperature and precipitation. For example, deserts are hot and dry, tundra is cold and dry, and rainforests are warm and wet. They do not share a uniform climate pattern.

Answer: B [Only two]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must have at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics and must have lost at least 70% of its original habitat. This is the standard definition given by Conservation International.

Statement 2 is correct: The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka hotspot is globally recognized for its amphibian diversity. It has one of the highest numbers of endemic amphibian species in the world, making this statement accurate.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Amazon Basin, although extremely rich in biodiversity, is not classified as a biodiversity hotspot. Hotspots are regions with exceptional endemism and significant habitat loss. Since the Amazon still retains much of its forest cover, it does not meet the criteria.

Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The pyramid of biomass shows the total dry weight of organisms at each trophic level. It represents the amount of living organic matter present, giving a clear picture of energy availability across levels.

Statement 2 is correct: In marine ecosystems, the pyramid of biomass is generally inverted. This happens because the biomass of phytoplankton (producers) is relatively small at any given time, but they reproduce rapidly and support a larger biomass of consumers like zooplankton and fish.

Answer: D [Savanna - Africa]
Explanation:

Option [A] is incorrect: Pampas are temperate grasslands located in South America, mainly Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil.

Option [B] is incorrect: Prairies are temperate grasslands found in North America, especially the USA and Canada, not Australia.

Option [C] is incorrect: Steppes are temperate grasslands found in Eurasia, particularly Russia, Ukraine, and Central Asia, not South America.

Option [D] is correct: Savannas are tropical grasslands found widely in Africa, especially in regions like Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa.