UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

The term social–ecological systems (SES) highlights that societies and ecosystems are tightly coupled and should be analysed together. It recognises feedbacks between human actions and ecological responses. The stem refers to interlinked systems of people and nature that co evolve,which is the central idea of SES. Therefore social is the correct word to complete the hyphenated term.

Option A:
Social–ecological thinking underpins resilience frameworks,which examine how such coupled systems absorb disturbances and reorganise. It rejects the notion of separate social and natural spheres. This integrated view matches the description in the question.

Option B:
Techno–ecological is not a widely used phrase,though technology certainly influences social–ecological systems. It would understate the role of social institutions and cultures emphasised in the established term.

Option C:
Market–ecological would suggest a focus mainly on economic exchanges and market mechanisms,which is only one aspect of human–environment interaction. The broader SES concept includes governance,knowledge and cultural values as well.

Option D:
Legal–ecological would limit attention to formal rules and regulations about ecosystems. While law is important,it does not capture the full range of social dimensions—such as norms and livelihoods—integrated in social–ecological systems.