UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Biodiversity hotspots are areas that meet strict criteria for high levels of endemism and significant loss of original habitat. They are considered priorities for conservation investment because they contain many unique species under severe threat. The stem explicitly refers to regions with high richness,endemism and serious human pressure,which defines hotspots. Thus Option C is the correct answer.

Option A:
Corridors are habitat links connecting larger patches to aid movement of species. They are not defined by exceptionally high endemism and threat levels.

Option B:
Reserves are protected areas,which may exist within or outside hotspots. “Reserve” does not inherently mean high endemism plus high threat.

Option C:
Hotspots are conservation priority regions characterised by exceptional endemism and serious habitat loss or threat,matching the stem precisely.

Option D:
Commons are shared resources managed by communities; the term does not specifically denote high endemism and high threat as in the hotspot concept.