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'The Evil Quartet' is the sobriquet used to describe the major causes that have led to the rapid extinction of species across the world. In this context which of the following are the major causes of loss of biodiversity?
1. Over-exploitation
2. Habitat loss and fragmentation
3. Alien species invasions
4. Co-extinctions
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
  • a)
    1, 2 and 3 only
  • b)
    1, 2 and 4 only
  • c)
    3 and 4 only
  • d)
    1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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The Evil Quartet is the sobriquet used to describe the major causes th...
  • 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). o Habitat loss and fragmentation: This is the most important cause driving animals and plants to extinction. The most dramatic examples of habitat loss come from tropical rainforests. Once covering more than 14 percent of the earth’s land surface, these rainforests now cover no more than 6 percent. They are being destroyed fast. 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 the 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. Presently many marine fish populations around the world are over-harvested, endangering the continued existence of some commercially important species.
    • Alien species invasions: When alien species are introduced unintentionally or deliberately for whatever purpose, some of them turn invasive, and cause the 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. One must be familiar with the environmental damage caused and the threat posed to native species by invasive weed species like carrot grass (Parthenium), Lantana and water hyacinth (Eicchornia). The recent illegal 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 the extinction of one invariably leads to the extinction of the other.
    • Hence option (d) is the correct answer. 
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The Evil Quartet is the sobriquet used to describe the major causes th...
Major Causes of Loss of Biodiversity - The Evil Quartet:

Over-exploitation:
- Overexploitation of natural resources such as overfishing, hunting, and logging can lead to the depletion of species populations.
- This can disrupt ecosystems and result in the loss of biodiversity.

Habitat Loss and Fragmentation:
- Habitat loss occurs when natural habitats are destroyed or altered, making it difficult for species to survive.
- Fragmentation of habitats can isolate populations and reduce genetic diversity, making species more vulnerable to extinction.

Alien Species Invasions:
- Alien species invasions refer to the introduction of non-native species into an ecosystem.
- These invasive species can outcompete native species for resources, disrupt food chains, and spread diseases, leading to the decline of native biodiversity.

Co-extinctions:
- Co-extinctions occur when a species goes extinct, leading to the extinction of other species that are dependent on it for survival.
- For example, if a plant species goes extinct, the animals that rely on it for food or shelter may also become extinct.

Therefore, the major causes of loss of biodiversity, known as the Evil Quartet, include over-exploitation, habitat loss and fragmentation, alien species invasions, and co-extinctions. These factors contribute to the rapid decline of species populations and the overall loss of biodiversity worldwide.
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Biodiversity is the living fabric of our planet. It underpins human well-being in the present and in the future, and its rapid decline threatens nature and people alike. According to reports released in 2018 by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the main global drivers of biodiversity loss are climate change, invasive species, over-exploitation of natural resources, pollution and urbanization .Biodiversity loss implies the reduction and disappearance of species and genetic diversity and the degradation of ecosystems. It jeopardizes nature‘s vital contributions to humanity, endangering economies, livelihoods, food security, cultural diversity and quality of life, and constitutes a major threat to global peace and security. Biodiversity loss also disproportionally affects the most vulnerable exacerbating inequality .To halt or reverse this decline it is vital to transform people‘s roles, actions and relationships with biodiversity. This transformation has already begun with the commitment of the international community to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Agenda 2030. This global and holistic framework highlights the complex interconnections and interdependencies between society, biodiversity and sustainable development. It recognizes that human behaviour, values and choices shape people‘s interactions with biodiversity, all of which have a direct impact on our collective future on the planet. Awareness and appreciation of the diverse values of biodiversity need to be further amplified and mainstreamed within this global framework in order to transform human behaviour in favour of biodiversity conservation and its sustainable use. Many solutions exist for stopping and reversing the decline in biodiversity. UNESCO‘s diverse networks, programmes and partners have observed positive and inspiring seeds of change around the world. UNESCO also accompanies Member States and their people in their efforts to halt biodiversity loss by understanding, appreciating, safeguarding and using biodiversity sustainably. This publication highlights some of UNESCO‘s biodiversity-related actions and solutions, based on the Organization‘s unique mandate and its diverse normative instruments, networks, programmes and partners. These actions have reduced biodiversity loss and improved the lives of many people around the planet. For each thematic challenge, the publication highlights current actions and solutions that have been successfully implemented, as well as suggestions for improvement and innovation.Q.Regarding biodiversity which of the following is correct?1. Biodiversity loss has minimal effect on the well-being of humans.2. Climate change results in the reduction and disappearance of species. Select the correct answer using the code given below

PassageIInvasions of exotic species into new geographical areas sometimes occur naturally without human agency. However, human actions have increased this trickle to a flood. Human caused introductions may occur either accidently or as a consequence of human transport, or intentionally but illegally to serve some private purpose or legitimately to procure some hoped-for public benefit by bringing a pest under control, producing new agricultural products or providing novel recreational opportunities. Many introduced species are assimilated into communities without much obvious effect. However some have been responsible for dramatic changes to native species and native communities. For example, the accidental introduction of the brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis into Guam, an island in the pacific, has through nest predation reduced 10 endemic forest bird species to the point of extinction.One of the major reasons for the worlds great biodiversity is the occurrence of centres of endemism so that similar habitats in different parts of the world are occupied by different groups of species that happen it have evolved there. If the species naturally had access to everywhere on the globe, we might expect a relatively small number of successful species to become dominant in each biome. The extent to which this homogenisation can happen naturally is restricted by the limited powers of dispersal of most species in the face of the physical barriers that exist to dispersal. By virtue of the transport opportunities offered by humans, these barriers have been breached by an ever-increasing number of exotic species.The effects of introductions have been to convert a hugely diverse range of local community compositions into something much more homogenous.It would be wrong, however, to conclude that introducing species to a region will inevitably cause a decline in species richness there. For example, there are numerous species of plants, invertebrates and vertebrates found in continental Europe but absent from the British Isles (many because they have so far failed to recolonize after the last glaciations).Their introduction would be likely to augment British biodiversity. The significant detrimental effect noted above arises where aggressive species provide a novel challenge to endemic biotas ill-equipped to deal with them.Q. What can be the impact of invasion of exotic species on an ecosystem?1. Erosion of endemic species.2. Change in the species composition of the community of the ecosystem. Select the correct Solution: using the codes given below

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The Evil Quartet is the sobriquet used to describe the major causes that have led to the rapid extinction of species across the world. In this context which of the following are the major causes of loss of biodiversity?1. Over-exploitation2. Habitat loss and fragmentation3. Alien species invasions4. Co-extinctionsSelect the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2 and 3 onlyb)1, 2 and 4 onlyc)3 and 4 onlyd)1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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The Evil Quartet is the sobriquet used to describe the major causes that have led to the rapid extinction of species across the world. In this context which of the following are the major causes of loss of biodiversity?1. Over-exploitation2. Habitat loss and fragmentation3. Alien species invasions4. Co-extinctionsSelect the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2 and 3 onlyb)1, 2 and 4 onlyc)3 and 4 onlyd)1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'D'. 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 The Evil Quartet is the sobriquet used to describe the major causes that have led to the rapid extinction of species across the world. In this context which of the following are the major causes of loss of biodiversity?1. Over-exploitation2. Habitat loss and fragmentation3. Alien species invasions4. Co-extinctionsSelect the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2 and 3 onlyb)1, 2 and 4 onlyc)3 and 4 onlyd)1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for The Evil Quartet is the sobriquet used to describe the major causes that have led to the rapid extinction of species across the world. In this context which of the following are the major causes of loss of biodiversity?1. Over-exploitation2. Habitat loss and fragmentation3. Alien species invasions4. Co-extinctionsSelect the correct answer using the code given below.a)1, 2 and 3 onlyb)1, 2 and 4 onlyc)3 and 4 onlyd)1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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