Role of Biodiversity in Agricultural Productivity MCQs Biodiversity is responsible for sustaining and improving agricultural productivity. The rich plant, animal, and microbial diversity in agro-ecosystems promotes soil fertility, pest management, crop resistance, and ecosystem well-being. In CSS Competitive Exams, knowing the important connection between biodiversity and agricultural productivity is crucial to solve multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on the topic. Biodiversity not only increases crop yields but also ensures farm system sustainability through the enhancement of ecological balance and environmental stress resilience.
Contribution of Biodiversity to Soil Fertility and Health
One of the main means through which biodiversity maintains agricultural productivity is by enhancing soil fertility and health. Varied ecosystems in farm fields aid in nutrient cycling, where various organisms like earthworms, microbes, and plants assist in breaking down organic matter and releasing vital nutrients back into the soil. The occurrence of nitrogen-fixing plants and beneficial microbes also helps enrich the soil, minimizing the use of synthetic fertilizers. For CSS aspirants, knowing how biodiversity adds value to soil health and encourages the employment of organic manures is necessary for responding to MCQs based on sustainable agricultural practices.
Pest and Disease Management through Biodiversity
Agricultural biodiversity is a natural way of controlling pests and diseases. The presence of a wide variety of plants, insects, and animals within the farming system regulates the pest population and minimizes the use of chemical pesticides. Predatory insects (like spiders and ladybugs), birds, and microorganisms act as natural pest managers, regulating pest population and preventing the possibility of pest buildup. Crop diversification also acts as a form of pest resistance because it becomes hard for the pests to infest multiple crops. CSS applicants should be aware of the ways in which biodiversity contributes to biological pest control and the benefits of heterogeneous farming systems in the enhancement of crop resilience.
Increasing Resilience to Climate Change
Biodiversity is also vital in enhancing the resilience of agriculture to climate change. As climatic patterns become increasingly unpredictable, the genetic diversity of livestock and crops can offer the genetic material required to create varieties that are resistant to extreme weather conditions, pests, and diseases. Through the conservation and enhancement of genetic diversity in crops, farmers can make sure that their farming systems continue to be productive even under adverse environmental conditions. Also, agroforestry and integrated farming systems incorporating diverse species assist in cushioning agricultural systems against climate change impacts. CSS candidates need to grasp the relationship between biodiversity and climate resilience in order to address MCQs on this subject effectively.
Through the examination of the significance of biodiversity for agricultural productivity, CSS candidates will be in a better position to respond to MCQs about the ecological values of agro-diversity farming systems. The linkages between biodiversity, soil fertility, pest management, and climate stability are crucial to sustainable agriculture as well as for maintaining long-term productivity despite environmental challenges globally.
