Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyBiodiversity Concepts, Hotspots and Endemism

Consider the following statements regarding global biodiversity hotspots that encompass regions of India:

1. The Western Ghats region is designated as one of the global biodiversity hotspots.
2. The entire Indo-Gangetic Plain is classified as a global biodiversity hotspot owing to high agricultural crop diversity.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 onlyAnswer
  2. B
    2 only
  3. C
    Both 1 and 2
  4. D
    Neither 1 nor 2

Answer

The statement asserting that the Western Ghats region is designated as a global biodiversity hotspot is correct, whereas the statement regarding the Indo-Gangetic Plain is incorrect.
The correct response identifies that only the first statement is factual. India features four recognized biodiversity hotspots: the Western Ghats, the Himalayas, Indo-Burma, and Sundaland (Nicobar Islands). The Indo-Gangetic Plain is an agricultural belt and not a designated global biodiversity hotspot.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate Statement 1 regarding the Western Ghats.
Statement 1 is correct.
The Western Ghats (along with Sri Lanka) is one of the four biodiversity hotspots present in/around India, possessing high species endemism and facing severe habitat degradation.
2
Evaluate Statement 2 regarding the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
Statement 2 is incorrect.
Global biodiversity hotspots require exceptional levels of plant endemism (at least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species) and high habitat loss (at least 70% lost). Agricultural landscapes like the Indo-Gangetic Plain do not fulfill these criteria.

Key Concept

Indian Biodiversity Hotspots
Estimated Time:45s
Rate this question

Topics

Biodiversity Concepts, Hotspots and Endemism

More questions from this topic