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Question #46081
The Question
Sacred groves, such as those in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, often represent pristine patches of climax communities. However, ecologists observe that when these groves become highly isolated due to surrounding deforestation, they gradually lose their ecological stability and species richness over time, even without direct human intrusion inside the grove. Which of the following best explains this phenomenon?
Options
- A.
The climax community has reached a state where Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) is exactly equal to Respiration (R), resulting in zero biomass accumulation and subsequent ecosystem collapse.
- B.
The lack of metapopulation connectivity prevents recolonization after local stochastic disturbances, decoupling the climax state from long-term persistence.
- C.
Climax communities are dominated by r-selected species, which rapidly deplete the limited nutrient pool of the fragmented habitat, leading to local extinctions.
- D.
Secondary succession is spontaneously initiated within the grove because isolated climax communities naturally undergo retrogressive autogenic succession.
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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
Biosphere_Reserves_Architecture|In-situ_Conservation_(Hotspots)|Decomposition_Rate_Modifiers
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often memorize the NCERT line that 'climax communities are stable and self-sustaining' (Chapter 14) but fail to integrate it with the consequences of 'Habitat Fragmentation' (Chapter 15).
The trap is assuming that reaching the climax stage guarantees permanent stability, ignoring the spatial reality that isolated refugia suffer from metapopulation collapse due to a lack of recolonization.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biodiversity and Conservation - Class 12 |
| Concept | Biosphere Reserves Architecture |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |