Read the given passage and answer the following questions:-
Biodiversity, also referred to as biological diversity, is the variety of different species of flora and fauna living on Earth. The richer the biodiversity, the more balanced and harmonious would the environment be. Different variety of plants and animals contribute their bit to make the planet worth inhabiting. One of the main reasons for the survival of human species on Earth is biodiversity. This is because various species of organisms help in meeting their basic needs of food, shelter, clothing and other resources. There are around 300,000 species of flora that have been known to date and numerous species of fauna that includes not only animals but also birds, fish, reptiles, mammals, insects, molluscs, crustaceans, etc.
Our planet Earth was formed close to 4.54 billion years ago and there have been evidences of life since around 3.5 billion years ago. A number of species of both flora and fauna have gone extinct over the past centuries and many more are anticipated to go extinct in the times to come, there by disturbing the level of biodiversity. Human beings have become so driven towards technology over the years that they have forgotten its repercussions. Several new inventions have proven to be hazardous to the environment and are having a negative impact on biodiversity. It is high time humans should start taking the environmental issues seriously and contribute their bit towards improving the atmosphere. A healthy environment is essential for developing rich biodiversity which in turn is essential for the human beings to live in a harmonious state on Earth.
Why is biodiversity important for human survival?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → It extensively contributes in providing for the basic needs of humans.
The passage says biodiversity is one of the main reasons for the survival of the human species, "because various species of organisms help in meeting their basic needs of food, shelter, clothing and other resources".
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: It creates technological advancements and biological diversity. — Incorrect. Contradicted: biodiversity is biological diversity; it does not create it. Technological advancement is shown as a threat to biodiversity, not its product.
Option 2: It eliminates environmental issues and genetic diversity. — Incorrect. Not mentioned: the passage says nothing about biodiversity eliminating environmental issues, and "eliminating genetic diversity" would contradict the very idea of biodiversity.
Option 4: It prevents extinction of species of flora and fauna. — Incorrect. Wrong reason: the passage says many species have gone extinct and more are expected to; it does not say biodiversity prevents this, and this is not the reason given for human survival.