Which sequence describes the mitigation hierarchy in biodiversity protection?

• A. Avoid, minimize, restore, then offset to achieve net positive impact on biodiversity.
• B. Offset, restore, avoid, minimize.
• C. Restore, offset, minimize, avoid.
• D. Avoid, offset, minimize, restore.

Answer: (B)

The main idea tested is the order of steps in the mitigation hierarchy for protecting biodiversity. The standard sequence starts with avoiding harm, then minimizing any unavoidable impacts, followed by restoring ecosystems that were affected, and finally offsetting the remaining loss. This arrangement matters because it prioritizes preventing damage and reducing what remains, rather than paying for harm after it has occurred. Avoidance eliminates the need for further actions, minimization reduces the magnitude and duration of impacts, restoration attempts to recover degraded function, and offsets are a last resort to compensate for residual harm when avoidance, reduction, and restoration aren’t enough. An approach that begins with offset would place compensation before prevention and reduction, which undermines the goal of eliminating harm where possible.