With reference to biodiversity, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1) Species richness and high degree of endemism are important criteria for identifying biodiversity hot spots. 2) Species diversity is highest in the tropic and decreases down the poles. 3) Biodiversity conservation may be in-situ as well as ex-situ. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

With reference to biodiversity, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1) Species richness and high degree of endemism are important criteria for identifying biodiversity hot spots. 2) Species diversity is highest in the tropic and decreases down the poles. 3) Biodiversity conservation may be in-situ as well as ex-situ. Select the correct answer using the code given below: Correct Answer 1, 2 and 3

The correct answer is option 3, i.e 1, 2 and 3.

Biodiversity hot spots

  • Biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat.
  • Biodiversity is measured by two major components i.e. species richness and species endemism. Hence statement 1 is correct.
  •  The region must fulfill the following two criteria to qualify as a hotspot:
  1. The region should have at least 1500 species of vascular plants i.e., it should have a high degree of endemism.
  2. It should contain 70% of its original habitat.
  • Species diversity decreases as we move away from the equator towards the poles. Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • Biodiversity conservation may be in-situ (conservation within the natural habitat) as well as ex-situ (conservation outside the natural habitat). Hence statement 3 is correct.​

Related Questions

Read the following passage and answer the item that follows. Your answers to this item should be based on the passage only. Many farmers use synthetic pesticides to kill infesting insects. The consumption of pesticides in some of the developed countries is touching 3000 grams/hectare. Unfortunately, there are reports that these compounds possess inherent toxicities that endanger the health of the farm operators, consumers and the environment. Synthetic pesticides are generally persistent in environment. Entering in food chain they destroy the microbial diversity and cause ecological imbalance. Their indiscriminate use has resulted in development of resistance among insects to insecticides, upsetting of balance in nature and resources of treated populations. Natural pest control using the botanical pesticides is safer to the user and the environment because they break down into harmless compounds within hours or days in the presence of sunlight. Plants with pesticidal properties have been in nature for millions of years without any ill or adverse effects on the ecosystem. They are easily decomposed by many microbes common in most soils. They help in the maintenance of biological diversity of predators and human health hazards. Botanical pesticides formulated from plants are biodegradable and their use in crop protection is a practical sustainable alternative. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding biopesticides? 1. They are not hazardous to human health. 2. They are persistent in environment. 3. They are essential to maintain the biodiversity of any ecosystem. Select the correct answer using the code given below.