Statement I: The biological wealth of our planet has been declining rapidly and the accusing finger is clearly pointing to human activities.

Statement II : The accelerated rates of species extinctions that the world is facing now are largely due to human activities.

Both statements I and II are correct.

The correct answer is Option (3) – Both statements I and II are correct .

Statement I: The biological wealth of our planet has been declining rapidly, and the accusing finger is clearly pointing to human activities.

This statement is true. Human activities, such as habitat destruction, overexploitation of natural resources, pollution, introduction of invasive species, and climate change, have led to a significant decline in biodiversity. As human populations grow and societies develop, there has been an increasing demand for land, food, water, and other resources, which has put immense pressure on natural ecosystems. This has resulted in the loss of habitats, fragmentation of ecosystems, and degradation of environmental conditions, all of which contribute to the decline in biodiversity.

Statement II: The accelerated rates of species extinctions that the world is facing now are largely due to human activities.

This statement is also true. Human activities have accelerated the rates of species extinctions to unprecedented levels. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates that species are going extinct at a rate that is thousands of times higher than the natural background rate of extinction. While natural factors, such as natural disasters and climate change, have historically caused some extinctions, the current rapid decline in biodiversity is primarily driven by human-induced factors.

Habitat loss and fragmentation due to activities like deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture have led to the displacement and loss of many species. Over-exploitation of natural resources, such as overfishing and poaching, has caused the decline of numerous species. Pollution, both chemical and plastic, has adversely affected aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and harmed many species. The introduction of alien species, either intentionally or unintentionally, has disrupted native ecosystems and caused declines or extinctions of indigenous species.

In conclusion, both statements emphasize that human activities are the primary drivers of the current biodiversity crisis. The rapid loss of biological diversity poses serious threats to ecosystems and the services they provide, and it is crucial to take urgent and effective conservation measures to protect and restore biodiversity.