Question

The increase in the rate of species loss in the world is due to:
(A) Less use of natural resources
(B) Introduction of alien species
(C) Species confined to a particular area
(D) Removal of one species from co-existed species
(E) Destruction of large landscapes into small areas
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B) and (C) only
• B. (B), (D) and (E) only
• C. (B), (C) and (D) only
• D. (A), (C) and (D) only

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To identify the factors contributing to the acceleration in species loss, it's essential to evaluate each listed option:

• (A) Less use of natural resources: This actually has a tendency to conserve, rather than endanger, species as it often means preserving habitats and reducing human impact.
• (B) Introduction of alien species: This is a significant threat. Alien species can outcompete, prey on, or bring diseases to native species, disrupting ecosystems and leading to native species decline.
• (C) Species confined to a particular area: While such species are vulnerable, confinement itself isn't a cause for increased rate of species loss unless coupled with other factors.
• (D) Removal of one species from co-existed species: This can destabilize ecosystems as species often have interdependent relationships crucial for their survival; removing one can lead to the collapse of others.
• (E) Destruction of large landscapes into small areas: Habitat fragmentation reduces available resources and gene flow, making species more vulnerable to extinction.

Upon evaluation, we see options (B), (D), and (E) are directly contributing to the increase in the rate of species loss by introducing competing, destabilizing, and habitat-fragmenting effects. Hence, the correct answer is the combination: (B), (D) and (E) only.

Answer 2

Let's evaluate each option:

(A) Less use of natural resources: This is incorrect. The loss of species is often linked to overuse of natural resources, such as deforestation, overfishing, and habitat destruction, not to less use of resources.

(B) Introduction of alien species: This is correct. The introduction of alien species (invasive species) can disrupt local ecosystems, often outcompeting native species, leading to a loss of biodiversity.

(C) Species confined to a particular area: This is correct. When species are confined to a small, specific area (such as island species), they are more vulnerable to extinction, especially due to environmental changes or human impacts.

(D) Removal of one species from co-existed species: This is correct. The removal of one species can have cascading effects on the ecosystem, disrupting the food web and threatening other species that rely on it.

(E) Destruction of large landscapes into small areas: This is correct. Habitat fragmentation, which occurs when large habitats are broken into smaller patches, can lead to species isolation, reduced gene flow, and higher vulnerability to extinction.

Thus, the increase in the rate of species loss is mainly due to the introduction of alien species, removal of one species, and destruction of large landscapes into smaller areas.

The correct answer is (2) (B), (D), and (E) only.