What constitutes adequate baseline biodiversity information in the EIA?

• A. Population data only
• B. Species inventories, habitat mapping, and population data prior to project activity
• C. Economics forecasts
• D. Public opinion surveys

Answer: (B)

Documenting what exists in the area before any project work begins is the key idea. Baseline biodiversity information should be comprehensive enough to show who is there, where they live, and how many there are. The strongest approach combines species inventories (to record which species are present and their presence/absence, abundance, and distribution), habitat mapping (to delineate different habitat types, their quality, and how they connect), and population data (to understand abundances, trends, and demographics of key species). Collecting these data prior to project activity creates a reference point that makes it possible to detect changes, assess potential impacts, and design appropriate monitoring and mitigation.

Population data alone misses the broader ecological context, such as species diversity and habitat structure. Economics forecasts focus on financial aspects, not biodiversity. Public opinion surveys gauge social considerations, not ecological conditions.