Flora & Fauna Dynamics

* Lion-tailed Macaque: This is a diurnal animal, meaning it's active during the day. * Malabar Civet: This is a nocturnal animal, primarily active at night. * Sambar Deer: These are crepuscular animals, most active during dawn and dusk. Therefore, only one (1) of the fauna is generally nocturnal or most active after sunset (Malabar Civet).

* Statement 1 is not correct. Squirrels are generally small to medium-size rodents, but there are a few species that are giant in size like the Malabar giant squirrel and Malayan giant squirrel. Giant tree squirrels are the members of the squirrel family. They are arboreal species and live mostly on trees in the forest, but now also have adapted to human environments. * Statement 2 is correct. To prepare for colder months, squirrels cactch food during the spring and summer by gathering extra nuts. They bury the surplus in the area surrounding their nests, splitting it into different underground pantries to save for later. * Statement 3 is correct. While nuts and fruits make up a majority of its diet, the Indian sun squirrel will also eat insects, other smaller mammals, and reptiles.

* Option 1 is incorrect:  Jackfruit, (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is a tropical evergreen tree (family Moraceae) native to tropical Asia and widely grown throughout the wetland tropics for its large fruits and durable wood. The greenish unripe fruit is cooked as a vegetable, and the brown ripened fruit is eaten fresh for the sweetly acidic but insipid pulp surrounding the seeds.  * Option 2 and 3 are correct:  The Moist deciduous forests are more pronounced in the regions which record rainfall between 100-200 cm. These forests are found in the northeastern states along the foothills of Himalayas, eastern slopes of the Western Ghats and Odisha. Teak, sal, shisham, hurra, mahua, amla, semul, kusum, and sandalwood etc. are the main species of these forests.

Golden Mahseer is not a bird. It is a large freshwater fish also called the tiger of the water and found only in the Cauvery river basin. It known for its large size and importance in recreational fishing. Indian Nightjar is a bird species native to India. It is a nocturnal bird that is known for its cryptic plumage and ability to camouflage in its habitat. It is typically found in forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas. Spoonbill is a type of wader bird with a distinctive spoon-shaped bill. It belongs to the family Threskiornithidae and is found in wetlands, mudflats, and coastal habitats in various parts of the world, including India. White Ibis is a species of wading bird found in wetlands and coastal areas. It is recognized by its long, curved bill and white plumage and is commonly seen in India, as well as in other parts of the world.

Out of the listed plants, the following are nitrogen-fixing plants: 1. Alfalfa 3. Chickpea 4. Clover These plants have a symbiotic relationship with bacteria called rhizobia. The bacteria colonize nodules in the plant's roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form (nitrates) that the plant can absorb. The other options are not nitrogen-fixing plants:
2. Amaranth 5. Purslane (Kulfa) 6. Spinach These plants require nitrogen from the soil but cannot fix it themselves. They rely on soil nitrogen content or applied fertilizers. Remember: Purslane is a weed. If you would have known this piece of information, the question could have been easily solved by simple elimination. Therefore, the correct answer is (1, 3, 4).

- Ants are well-known as cultivators of fungi. Certain ant species, particularly those in the tribe Attini, have evolved a symbiotic relationship with specific fungi. These ants cultivate the fungus within their nests, providing it with food and a controlled environment. In return, the fungus provides the ants with nutrients. This is a fascinating example of mutualism in nature. - Cockroaches are omnivores and scavengers. They do not cultivate fungi. - Crabs are primarily scavengers or predators. They are not known to cultivate fungi. - Spiders are predators and capture their prey (insects) in webs. They do not cultivate fungi.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis) is native to West Africa, not Southeast Asia. However, Indonesia and Malaysia are now the largest producers of palm oil because the tree was introduced and widely cultivated there due to favorable tropical conditions. Statement 2 is correct: Palm oil and its derivatives (such as palm kernel oil) are widely used in cosmetic and personal care products, including lipsticks, soaps, and perfumes. It acts as a moisturizing agent, emulsifier, and texture enhancer in these products. Statement 3 is correct: Palm oil is a major feedstock for biodiesel production. Palm-based biodiesel (Palm Methyl Ester - PME) is used as a renewable fuel alternative in several countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and parts of Europe.

Hedgehogs: Hedgehogs are small mammals have a unique defense mechanism where they roll up into a tight ball, using their sharp spines as a form of protection against predators. Marmots: Marmots do not roll up to protect themselves. Instead, they typically rely on burrows and their ability to give warning calls to avoid predators. Pangolins: Similar to hedgehogs, pangolins also roll up into a ball when threatened. They use their tough keratin scales as armor to protect their vulnerable parts.

Detritivores: These are organisms that feed on dead and decaying organic matter (detritus). Earthworms: They are classic detritivores, breaking down organic matter in soil and aiding in decomposition. Millipedes: They feed on decaying leaves and other organic debris on the forest floor. Woodlice: These small crustaceans are also detritivores, consuming decaying plant and animal matter. Jellyfish: While they might incidentally ingest some detritus while filtering water for food, they are primarily carnivores, feeding on plankton and small fish. Seahorses: These are also not detritivores. They are carnivores, feeding on small shrimp, plankton, and other invertebrates. Therefore, 1,3 and 5 are detritivores.

The Phosphorus Cycle is unique among major biogeochemical cycles because it does not involve a gaseous phase. Instead, phosphorus primarily moves through the lithosphere (rocks), hydrosphere (water), and biosphere (organisms). - Weathering of Rocks: The main source of phosphorus in this cycle comes from the weathering of phosphate-rich rocks. Over time, geological processes break down these rocks, releasing phosphate ions (PO₄³⁻) into the soil and water.
- Absorption by Plants: Plants absorb phosphorus from the soil, and it moves up the food chain as herbivores and carnivores consume plants and other organisms.
- Return to the Soil: When organisms die, decomposition releases phosphorus back into the environment, where it can re-enter the cycle. - Carbon Cycle: The main source of carbon is atmospheric CO₂, released by respiration, combustion, and volcanic activity. - Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen is primarily cycled through the atmosphere, with nitrogen fixation (by bacteria) being a key process. - Sulphur Cycle: Sulfur is mainly released from volcanic eruptions, decaying organic matter, and fossil fuel combustion, rather than rock weathering.