Question

Select the correct statement about biodiversity

• A. Desert areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat have a very high level of desert animal species as well as rare animals
• B. Western Ghats have a very high degree of species richness and endemism
• C. Conservation of biodiversity is a fad pursued by developed countries
• D. Large scale planting of Bt Cotton has no adverse effect on biodiversity

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Western Ghats have a very high degree of species richness and endemism

Answer 2

Hot spots are areas with high density of biodiversity or megadiversity which are also the most threatened ones. Ecologically hot spots are determined by four factors - number of species/species diversity, degree of endemism, degree of threat to habitat due to its degradation and fragmentation, and degree of exploitation. India has three hot spots : Indo-Burma, Himalayas and Western Ghats - Sri Lanka. India is even otherwise a country of megadiversity with 2.4% of land area and having 8.1% of global diversity. Major centres of biodiversity are Agasthyamalai hills. Silent valley and Amambalam reserve. There is high degree of endemism as well as richness of species of flowering plants, amphibians, reptiles, some mammals and butterflies.