Consider the following international agreements : 1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture 2. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification 3. The World Heritage Convention Which of the above has/have a bearing on the biodiversity?

Let's examine how each of the listed international agreements has a bearing on biodiversity:

1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA): This treaty, adopted under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), aims to conserve and sustainably use plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA). It promotes equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use. Since PGRFA constitutes a critical component of agricultural biodiversity, the treaty directly impacts biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, especially in an agricultural context.

2. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD): The UNCCD addresses desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD). Land degradation and desertification lead to significant habitat loss, soil erosion, and changes in ecosystems, which directly result in a loss of biodiversity. By working to combat these issues, the UNCCD indirectly but fundamentally helps preserve and restore biodiversity in affected areas, particularly arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions.

3. The World Heritage Convention (WHC): This convention, administered by UNESCO, aims to protect cultural and natural heritage sites of outstanding universal value. Many natural World Heritage Sites are designated precisely because they possess exceptional biodiversity, represent significant ecological and biological processes, or contain important natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity. Examples include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and unique ecosystems recognized for their biodiversity. Therefore, the WHC directly contributes to the conservation of biodiversity.

All three international agreements, through their respective mandates, contribute to and have a bearing on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.