The ‘broadly utilitarian’ argument for the conservation of biodiversi…

The correct answer is Option (1) → Bioprospecting

The broadly utilitarian argument rests on the ecosystem services that nature provides, such as oxygen from photosynthesis and pollination, together with intangible benefits such as the beauty of nature. Bioprospecting, on the other hand, is the search for products of economic importance, a direct benefit that belongs to the narrowly utilitarian argument.

Option (1) Bioprospecting — Correct. Bioprospecting means exploring molecular, genetic and species-level diversity for products of economic importance. NCERT places it under the narrowly utilitarian argument.

Option (2) Pollination — Incorrect. Pollination by bees, bumblebees, birds and bats is an ecosystem service. Without it plants cannot give us fruits or seeds.

Option (3) Aesthetic value — Incorrect. Aesthetic value is one of the intangible benefits listed with the broadly utilitarian argument.

Option (4) Awakening to the song of a bulbul in the morning — Incorrect. Waking up to a bulbul’s song is NCERT’s own example of such an intangible benefit.

NCERT Extract:
Why Should We Conserve Biodiversity? – “… With increasing resources put into ‘bioprospecting’ (exploring molecular, genetic and species-level diversity for products of economic importance), nations endowed with rich biodiversity can expect to reap enormous benefits.”
Why Should We Conserve Biodiversity? – “… Pollination (without which plants cannot give us fruits or seeds) is another service, ecosystems provide through pollinators layer – bees, bumblebees, birds and bats. What will be the costs of accomplishing pollination without help from natural pollinators? There are other intangible benefits – that we derive from nature–the aesthetic pleasures of walking through thick woods, watching spring flowers in full bloom or waking up to a bulbul’s song in the morning.”