Evapotranspiration

• Carbon Pools in Indian Forests (ISFR-2021):
• Total carbon stock in Indian forests is estimated at $7,204\text{ million tonnes}$.
• Distribution across carbon pools:
• Soil Organic Carbon (SOC): Represents the largest single pool, accounting for $\approx 56.1\%$ ($4,010\text{ Mt}$).
• Above-ground + Below-ground biomass: Accounts for $\approx 41.1\%$ ($2,961\text{ Mt}$).
• Litter: $\approx 1.8\%$ ($180\text{ Mt}$).
• Dead Wood: Accounts for the smallest fraction, $\approx 0.6\%$ ($46\text{ Mt}$).
• Correct Sequence: Soil organic carbon > above + below ground biomass > litter > dead wood. (Correct answer: Option 4)

• Statement (I) is Incorrect: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was opened for signature during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED / Earth Summit) in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 (not 1991), entering into force on 29 December 1993.
• Statement (II) is Incorrect: India signed the CBD on 5 June 1992 and ratified it on 18 February 1994 (not 1995), thereby becoming a party in 1994.
• Conclusion: Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are incorrect.

Correct option: (2) Both Statement (|) and Statement (II) are incorrect

• Definition of Environmental Science:
• An integrated, multidisciplinary academic discipline that analyzes the systemic interactions and energy/matter flows between the environment's physical, chemical, and biological components, alongside human impacts on natural ecosystems. (Correct answer: Option 4)