(a) Explain in brief about Ramsar convention. 
(b) Give a brief account of causes of biodiversity loss.

(a) Ramsar convention took place in Iran in 1971 to conserve wetlands internationally. In this convention, the wise use of wetland by the humankind and maintenance of ecological character under sustainable development is discussed. In India, there are 26 Ramsar sites. Renuka wetland (Himachal Pradesh), Ashtamudi wetland (Kerala), Chilka lake (Odisha), etc. are a few.

(b) Causes of biodiversity loss are

• Habitat loss and fragmentation
• Overexploitation of natural resources
• Alien (Exotic) species invasions
• Coextinction