Biodiversity three levels – UGC NET Question

Biodiversity encompasses variation at three main levels: genetic diversity within species,species diversity within communities and ecosystem diversity across landscapes. The stem explicitly mentions diversity within species,between species and of ecosystems. This threefold description is the standard way of defining biodiversity,so the correct term is biodiversity.

Option A:
Biomagnification refers to increasing concentration of certain pollutants as they move up food chains. It is a process affecting organisms but is not a measure of variety of life. Hence it does not fit the definition in the question.

Option B:
Bioaccumulation denotes the progressive build up of substances,such as pesticides,in an organism over time. While related to ecological health,it does not capture the multiple levels of diversity specified in the stem.

Option C:
Biodiversity is the umbrella term for the total variety and variability of living organisms and the ecological complexes they form. It directly corresponds to the three dimensions of diversity mentioned,so this option correctly names the concept.

Option D:
Biodegradation is the breakdown of substances by microorganisms. It relates to waste management and nutrient cycling rather than to variation in living forms. Therefore it is not the intended concept here.