International Green Warrior Olympiad Class 9 Previous Year Paper

Q.1

Consider the case study given below and answer the following question:
Case Study: Protecting the Coral Reefs of Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Location: Raja Ampat, a stunning archipelago in Indonesia famed for its thriving coral reefs, biodiversity, and diving tourism.
Challenges:
-Overfishing: Unsustainable fishing practices, including blast fishing and cyanide fishing, have depleted fish stocks and damaged coral reefs.
-Pollution: Plastic pollution, agricultural runoff, and sedimentation from coastal development all threaten the delicate marine ecosystem.
-Climate Change: Rising ocean temperatures and acidification are bleaching and killing coral, the foundation of the reef ecosystem.
Initiatives:
-Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Establishing and enforcing MPAs restricts harmful fishing practices and allows reefs to recover. Raja Ampat boasts one of the largest MPAs in Southeast Asia, covering over 1.5 million hectares.
-Community-Based Management: Local communities play a crucial role in protecting their reefs. The Coral Triangle Initiative focuses on empowering them through sustainable fishing practices and alternative livelihoods like ecotourism.
-Sustainable Aquaculture: Farming fish responsibly reduces pressure on wild stocks and provides alternative income for fishermen. Locally managed fish farms in Raja Ampat demonstrate successful alternatives to overfishing.
-Coral Restoration: Innovative techniques like coral nurseries and transplantation help regenerate damaged reefs and restore marine biodiversity.
Outcomes:
-Fish stocks are rebounding: The Raja Ampat MPA has shown a significant increase in fish biomass within its boundaries, demonstrating the effectiveness of protected areas.
-Improved water quality: Reduced pollution and sedimentation contribute to healthier corals and a more vibrant marine environment.
-Empowered communities: Local involvement in conservation fosters environmental stewardship and provides sustainable economic opportunities.
Raja Ampat serves as a beacon of hope in marine conservation, demonstrating the effectiveness of community-driven, multi-pronged approaches to protecting life below water. By tackling overfishing, pollution, and climate change, we can safeguard the future of these vital ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.
A plastic net washes ashore on the Raja Ampat beach. Trace its potential journey through the marine ecosystem, describing the environmental and ecological consequences it could cause at each stage.
1. Entanglement for sea turtles, fish, and coral, leading to injuries and potential death.
2. Ingestion by marine life, mistaking it for food, causing blockages and internal damage.
3. Breakage into microplastics, accumulating in the food chain and harming higher predators.

Q.2

Jayden examined the consequences of illegal dumping of hazardous waste into oceans. Which chemical pollutant, commonly found in such waste, poses severe threats to marine life due to its bioaccumulation in the food chain?

Q.3

As an environmental scientist conducting water quality assessments for a local lake used for swimming and boating, you're tasked with monitoring various parameters to ensure the safety and health of individuals engaging in recreational activities.
In this scenario, which of the following parameters would be of concern?
1. Turbidity
2. pH
3. Faecal coliform bacteria

Q.4

In your environmental science class, you're learning about the impact of different greenhouse gases on global warming. Your teacher has provided data showing an increase in two greenhouse gas concentrations since pre-industrial times: methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O).
If both gases have seen a 20% rise in concentration since pre-industrial times, which of the following statements is accurate based on their effect on raising global temperatures?

Q.5

Consider the following statements and choose the correct option:
Statement 1: Deforestation leads to the loss of important carbon sinks, contributing significantly to global carbon emissions.
Statement 2: Forests serve as buffers against extreme weather events and help in regulating local and regional climates.

Q.6

Consider the following statements and choose the accurate one:
Statement 1: Climate change impacts are solely limited to present environmental modifications.
Statement 2: Climate change poses significant threats, including flooding, extreme heat, economic loss, and increased vulnerability, particularly for disadvantaged communities with limited resources.

Q.7

Satellites have documented the rapid retreat of glaciers in Antarctica and Greenland, contributing significantly to global sea level rise. In addition to coastal flooding, this melting ice could also:

Q.8

A group of students, with a keen interest in studying a wide array of plant and animal species in their natural habitat, is planning an educational expedition. They aim to explore a biome that offers the highest biodiversity for their research.
Which biome among the following options would provide the most diverse range of plant and animal species for the students to observe?

Q.9

Consider the case study given below and answer the following question:
Title: Forests as Crucial Carbon Capture Systems
Forests play a critical role in mitigating climate change by capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Trees absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and use it to grow. The carbon is then stored in the tree's biomass (wood, leaves, branches, and roots) and soil. Forests also help to regulate the climate by releasing water vapour into the atmosphere, which can form clouds and reflect sunlight back into space.
Trees are the most significant carbon sink in forests, storing carbon in their biomass. The amount of carbon stored in a tree depends on its species, size, and age. Young forests capture carbon rapidly due to the quick growth of trees. Middle-aged forests store relatively greater amounts of carbon as trees grow slower but sequester more carbon. Old-growth forests contain large trees that retain carbon for extended periods, albeit at a slower rate due to fewer trees overall.
Forest soils contain diverse forms of carbon influenced by soil type, vegetation, and geography. Soil properties, such as high organic content or frozen conditions, significantly impact carbon storage potential.
The carbon captured by forests is eventually returned to the atmosphere through processes like decomposition and respiration. Different forest types exhibit varying rates of carbon capture and release. Tropical forests capture carbon rapidly but can release it quickly too. In contrast, temperate forests offer a balanced solution.
Effective management strategies, such as forest preservation, sustainable forestry practices, forest expansion, and invasive species control, are crucial in optimising carbon sequestration potential while maintaining ecosystem balance.
Imagine conducting an experiment measuring carbon sequestration rates in four different forest types over the span of a year. Based on your understanding of the case study, which forest type would you expect to demonstrate the highest rate of carbon capture per unit area within a year?

Q.10

In the dense, lush forests of the Amazon basin, researchers are studying the ecosystem's dynamics to understand its role in global environmental processes.
Which specific layer of the forest ecosystem plays a crucial role in regulating carbon levels and atmospheric moisture?