Comprehension : Comprehension

Q 238 / 466

UPSC CSE Prelims 2018

A diversity of natural assets will be needed to cope with climate change. and ensure productive agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. For example, crop varieties are needed that perform well under drought, heat, and enhanced CO,, But the private-sector and farmer-led process of choosing crops favours homogeneity adapted to past or -current conditions, not varieties capable of producing consistently high yields in warmer, wetter, or drier conditions. Accelerated breeding programmes are needed to conserve a wider pool of genetic resources of existing. crops, breeds and their wild relatives. Relatively intact ecosystems, such as forested catchments, mangroves, wetlands, can buffer the Impacts of climate change. Under a changing climate, these ecosystems are themselves at risk, and management approaches will need to be more proactive and adaptive. Connections between natural areas, such as migration corridors, may be needed to facilitate species movements, to keep up with the change in climate.

With reference to the above passage, which of the following would assists in coping with the climate change?

  1. Conservation of natural water sources
  2. Conservation of wider gene pool
  3. Existing crop management practices
  4. Migration corridors

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (B)

Statements 1, 2, and 4 are consistent with the strategies outlined in the passage for coping with climate change.

  • Statement 1: The passage identifies "forested catchments, mangroves, wetlands" as relatively intact ecosystems that can buffer the impacts of climate change. These are significant natural water sources, and their conservation directly contributes to climate resilience.
  • Statement 2: The passage explicitly states the necessity for "Accelerated breeding programmes... to conserve a wider pool of genetic resources of existing. crops, breeds and their wild relatives." This is crucial for developing varieties that perform well under altered climatic conditions such as drought, heat, and enhanced CO₂.
  • Statement 4: The passage mentions that "Connections between natural areas, such as migration corridors, may be needed to facilitate species movements, to keep up with the change in climate." This highlights their role in enabling biodiversity adaptation to shifting climate zones.

Incorrect Options:

  • Statement 3: The passage critiques "the private-sector and farmer-led process of choosing crops" for favouring "homogeneity adapted to past or -current conditions." It suggests that these existing practices do not promote varieties capable of producing consistently high yields in warmer, wetter, or drier conditions. Therefore, existing crop management practices, as described, are presented as a challenge to adaptation, not a solution.