Exam General Study

Q 3. What is a biodiversity hotspot and how many hotspots are there in India? 

Ans. A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region that has these two key characteristics:

Exceptional Species Richness: The region boasts a high concentration of plant and animal species, with many found nowhere else on Earth (endemic species).

Significant Threat: The region's habitats are seriously threatened by human activities, putting the unique species at risk of extinction.

Conservation International, a global environmental organization, identifies and designates biodiversity hotspots.

India has four biodiversity hotspots:

The Himalayas: Home to iconic animals like the snow leopard, red panda, and several endangered primates.

The Western Ghats: A mountain range along India's western coast with lush forests supporting tigers, elephants, and many unique plant species.

The Indo-Burma Region: Encompassing northeast India and parts of Southeast Asia, this region includes tropical rainforests and is a treasure trove of biodiversity.

Sundaland: This hotspot covers parts of Southeast Asia, including the Nicobar Islands of India. It's characterized by rainforests and islands that are home to orangutans and other fascinating species.

Q 2. What is the difference between the ocean and the sea?

Ans. While the terms "ocean" and "sea" are often used interchangeably in everyday language, there are distinct differences between the two in the realm of geography:

Size:

Oceans: These are vast bodies of saltwater covering a majority of Earth's surface (over 70%). They are the largest bodies of water on Earth. There are five major oceans recognized globally: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern (or Antarctic), and Arctic Oceans.

Seas: These are smaller sections of oceans, partially enclosed by land. They are generally shallower than oceans and cover a much smaller portion of the Earth's surface. Examples of seas include the Mediterranean Sea, Caribbean Sea, and Bering Sea.

Location:

Oceans: They are not necessarily located near land. They can be completely open or have coastlines bordering continents.

Seas: They are typically found at the margins of oceans, where the land meets the ocean. Most seas are partially enclosed by landmasses. However, there are some exceptions, like the Sargasso Sea, which is defined by ocean currents rather than landmasses.

Therefore, to summarize:

Oceans are much larger and encompass the major bodies of saltwater on Earth.

Seas are smaller, partially enclosed sections of oceans, typically found near land.

Q 1. Which ocean holds the largest volume of water?

Ans. The Pacific Ocean holds the largest volume of water among all the Earth's oceans. It is not only the largest in terms of surface area, but also boasts the greatest volume of water, holding more than twice the volume of the Atlantic Ocean, which is the second largest.