Before You Begin
Question #46073
The Question
Sacred groves, such as those in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, act as vital in-situ micro-refugia for rare and threatened plants. However, conservation biologists warn that relying solely on these fragmented groves without establishing ecological corridors leads to a specific hidden threat. Which of the following best describes this threat?
Options
- A.
Increased vulnerability to cryptic genetic erosion and inbreeding depression due to restricted gene flow in isolated populations.
- B.
Rapid retrogression of the climax community into a pioneer community due to the edge effect and alien species invasion.
- C.
Reclassification of these groves as ex-situ conservation zones under the Convention on Biological Diversity, reducing local protection.
- D.
Biomagnification of agrochemicals from surrounding landscapes, leading to the immediate loss of alpha diversity among endemic flora.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Regulatory_Failure
Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.
Concepts Behind This Question
Primary Productivity|Secondary Productivity|Trophic Level
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often equate 'strict cultural protection from human interference' with 'absolute ecological safety'.
This question forces the integration of 'Biodiversity and Conservation' with 'Evolution/Population Genetics'.
The common misconception is failing to recognize that habitat fragmentation inherently causes genetic erosion (due to genetic drift and lack of gene flow) even if the physical habitat remains completely untouched by humans.
Option C serves as a classic NCERT terminology trap, testing the fundamental distinction between in-situ and ex-situ conservation.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biodiversity and Conservation - Class 12 |
| Concept | Co-extinction Logic |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |