GATE — Ecology and Evolution (EY) · India · IITs and IISc on rotation
Original practice questions written to the published syllabus · not past papersConservation beyond the field boundary: habitat fragmentation, corridors, land sparing versus land sharing, protected-area networks and conflict between wildlife and farmers.
In the exams: ICAR AICE subject 71 Unit 2 (national parks, sanctuaries); UPSC CSE Prelims environment; Forestry track overlaps on wildlife management
GATE Ecology and Evolution and UGC NET
Patch–corridor–matrix model, landscape metrics and core area calculations, percolation thresholds, fragmentation debates, least-cost paths, land sparing and sharing, systematic conservation planning principles.
How our questions for GATE spread across the units of Landscape Ecology, Protected Areas & Human-Wildlife Interactions. Difficulty: 9 easy, 19 medium, 12 hard.
| Habitat fragmentation and edge effects | 9 | |
| Land sparing versus land sharing | 9 | |
| Connectivity and wildlife corridors | 8 | |
| Landscape structure: patches, corridors and matrix | 7 | |
| Systematic conservation planning | 6 | |
| Protected-area categories and management effectiveness | 1 |
Choose an answer, then open the working. Each explanation says why the right answer is right and why the others are not.
According to Haddad and colleagues (2015), what share of the world's forest lies within 1 km of an edge?
B. About 70 %
They found about 70 % of remaining forest within 1 km of an edge, showing how fragmented forests are.
Further reading: Haddad et al. 2015
The Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, begun in 1979, is located near which city?
A. Manaus, Brazil
The BDFFP near Manaus in the Brazilian Amazon is the longest-running fragmentation experiment.
Further reading: Laurance et al. 2011
What did Fahrig's reviews argue about fragmentation per se?
C. Weak and mixed effects
Fahrig distinguished habitat amount from fragmentation per se and found the latter's effects usually weak and mixed; critics argue definitions and scale explain disagreements. The other claims misstate the debate.
Further reading: Fahrig 2017
What does circuit theory reveal in connectivity modelling?
D. All possible routes and pinch points
Circuit theory treats the landscape as a resistor network, showing diffuse movement and pinch points where flow concentrates.
Further reading: McRae et al. 2008
What is 'land sparing'?
C. High yields on less land, with the rest set aside for nature
Sparing intensifies production on part of the land to protect natural habitat elsewhere; sharing integrates wildlife within lower-yield farmland.
Further reading: Green et al. 2005
In density–yield analysis, which curve shape favours land sharing?
D. Convex: species decline only gradually as yield rises
If most species tolerate low-to-moderate intensity (convex curves), sharing performs well; concave curves favour sparing.
Further reading: Green et al. 2005
Who described the six stages of systematic conservation planning in 2000?
D. Margules and Pressey
Margules and Pressey's Nature paper (2000) set out the stages. The others are associated with island biogeography, landscape ecology and sparing–sharing.
Further reading: Margules and Pressey 2000
Which principle requires that all ecosystem types in a region be included in the conservation network?
D. Comprehensiveness
Comprehensiveness covers all ecosystem types; representativeness covers variation within them; efficiency minimises cost; flexibility offers alternatives.
Further reading: CAR principles
Why do naive comparisons often overstate the effect of protected areas on deforestation?
A. Parks sit where pressure is low
Matching methods compare protected and similar unprotected land; because parks are often placed in remote, low-threat areas, simple comparisons exaggerate the protection effect. The other claims are false.
Further reading: Andam et al. 2008
Small habitat patches close enough for animals to hop between are called:
A. Stepping stones
Stepping stones are discrete patches that allow movement across a landscape.
Further reading: Turner and Gardner, Landscape Ecology in Theory and Practice
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