UPSC Prelims 2011 Q79: Environment & Ecology – Biodiversity & Conservation
The "Red Data Books" published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and
Natural Resources (IUCN) contain lists of
1. Endemic plant and animal species present in the biodiversity hotspots.
2. Threatened plant and animal species.
3. Protected sites for conservation of nature and natural resources in various countries.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
- (a) 1 and 3
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation
What IUCN "Red Data Books" actually contain
The IUCN Red Data Books are a globally recognized record of species conservation status.
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Endemic species in biodiversity hotspots | Incorrect | Red Data Books list species by threat status, not specifically by endemism-in-hotspots classification |
| 2. Threatened plant and animal species | Correct | This is the core, defining content of the Red Data Books — lists of species facing varying degrees of extinction threat |
| 3. Protected sites for conservation in various countries | Incorrect | Protected area listings are a separate kind of record, not part of the Red Data Books, which focus on species, not sites |
IUCN Red Data Book basics:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Publisher | International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) |
| Core content | Threatened species lists, by extinction-risk category |
| Not included | Protected sites lists, or endemism-specific hotspot catalogues |
Answer: (b) 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 3 (protected sites) is not part of the Red Data Books, so '1 and 3' is doubly wrong.
- (b) CORRECT. The Red Data Books are specifically about threatened species, matching only statement 2.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 3 (protected sites) is not Red Data Book content, so this combination is wrong.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 3 alone (protected sites) is not what the Red Data Books contain.
Key point
IUCN Red Data Books list THREATENED plant and animal species only — not endemic-hotspot catalogues, and not protected-site listings.
Remember
IUCN Red Data Books: lists of threatened plant and animal species — nothing about protected sites or endemic-hotspot catalogues.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Red Data Books with broader biodiversity hotspot or protected area databases.
- Assuming the Red Data Books cover all endemic species, rather than specifically threatened ones.
- Not pinning down the Red Data Books' sole defining focus: species threat status.
Exam tip
IUCN Red Data Books = threatened SPECIES lists only. Not hotspots, not protected sites — species threat status is the one thing to remember.
Sources
- International Union for Conservation of Nature — IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, Version 3.1 (2001)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — IUCN Red List