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Which of the following is/are the reasons behind the loss of biodiversity?
Over-exploitation
  • Co-extinctions
  • Fragmentation of habitats
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    • a)
      1, 2 and 3
    • b)
      1 and 2 only
    • c)
      3 only
    • d)
      2 only
    Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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    Most Upvoted Answer
    Which of the following is/are the reasons behind the loss of biodiver...
    The accelerated rates of species extinctions that the world is facing now are largely due to human activities. There are four major causes (‘ The Evil Quartet ’ is the sobriquet used to describe them).
    • Habitat loss and fragmentation: This is the most important cause driving animals and plants to extinction. This habitat loss mainly happens due to tropical rain forests. For eg. The Amazon rain forest (it is so huge that it is called the ‘lungs of the planet’) harbouring probably millions of species is being cut and cleared for cultivating soya beans or for conversion to grasslands for raising beef cattle. Besides total loss, the degradation of many habitats by pollution also threatens the survival of many species. When large habitats are broken up into small fragments due to various human activities, mammals and birds requiring large territories and certain animals with migratory habits are badly affected, leading to population declines.
    • Over-exploitation: Humans have always depended on nature for food and shelter, but when ‘need’ turns to ‘greed’, it leads to over-exploitation of natural resources. Many species extinctions in the last 500 years (Steller’s sea cow, passenger pigeon) were due to overexploitation by humans.
    • Alien species invasions: When alien species are introduced unintentionally or deliberately for whatever purpose, some of them turn invasive, and cause decline or extinction of indigenous species. The Nile perch introduced into Lake Victoria in east Africa led eventually to the extinction of an ecologically unique assemblage of more than 200 species of cichlid fish in the lake; introduction of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus for aquaculture purposes is posing a threat to the indigenous catfishes in our rivers.
    • Co-extinctions: When a species becomes extinct, the plant and animal species associated with it in an obligatory way also become extinct. When a host fish species becomes extinct, its unique assemblage of parasites also meets the same fate. Another example is the case of a coevolved plant-pollinator mutualism where extinction of one invariably leads to the extinction of the other.
    Hence, all are correct options.
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    The Himalayan ecosystem is highly vulnerable to damage, both due to geological reasons and on account of the stress caused by increased pressure of population, exploitation of natural resources and other related challenges. These aspects may be exacerbated due to the impact of climate change. It is possible that climate change may adversely impact the Himalayan ecosystem through increased temperature altered precipitation patterns, episodes of drought and biotic influences.This would not only impact the very sustenance of the indigenous communities in uplands but also the life of downstream dwellers across the country and beyond.Therefore, there is an urgent need for giving special attention to sustain the Himalayan ecosystem. This would require conscious efforts for conserving all the representative systems.Further, it needs to be emphasized that the endemics with restricted distribution, and most often with specialized habitat requirements, are among the most vulnerable elements. In this respect the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, with rich endemic diversity, is vulnerable to climate change.The Threats include possible loss of genetic resources and species, habitats and concomitantly a decrease in ecosystem services. Therefore, conservation of endemic elements in representative ecosystems/habitats assumes a great significance while drawing conservation plans for the region.Towards achieving the above, we will have to shift towards contemporary conservation approaches, which include a paradigm of landscape level interconnectivity between protected area systems. The concept advocates a shift from the species-habitat focus to an inclusive focus on expanding the biogeographic range so that natural adjustments to climate change can proceed without being restrictive.Q.Consider the following statements:According to the passage, the adverse impact of climate change on an ecosystem can be a1. Permanent disappearance of some of its flora and fauna.2. Permanent disappearance of ecosystem itself. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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    Which of the following is/are the reasons behind the loss of biodiversity? Over-exploitation Co-extinctions Fragmentation of habitats Select the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2 and 3b)1 and 2 onlyc)3 onlyd)2 onlyCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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    Which of the following is/are the reasons behind the loss of biodiversity? Over-exploitation Co-extinctions Fragmentation of habitats Select the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2 and 3b)1 and 2 onlyc)3 onlyd)2 onlyCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Which of the following is/are the reasons behind the loss of biodiversity? Over-exploitation Co-extinctions Fragmentation of habitats Select the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2 and 3b)1 and 2 onlyc)3 onlyd)2 onlyCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which of the following is/are the reasons behind the loss of biodiversity? Over-exploitation Co-extinctions Fragmentation of habitats Select the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2 and 3b)1 and 2 onlyc)3 onlyd)2 onlyCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
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