Read the given passage and answer the six questions that follow.

The Human Genome Project

Pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, birds and bats, are essential for the ecosystem, health and human food security. They facilitate plant reproduction by transferring pollen between flowers, enabling the production of seeds and fruits crucial for plant biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

This mutualistic relationship supports global food production, with approximately 75% of leading food crops relying on animal pollination. Pollinators contribute to the diversity and abundance of flowering plants in natural ecosystems, providing habitat and food resources for various organisms.

Despite their importance, pollinators face significant threats. Habitat loss due to urbanization, agriculture and deforestation reduces nesting sites and floral resources. Pesticide exposure, especially insecticides and climate change further endanger pollinator populations by poisoning them and disrupting their behaviour and reproductive patterns.

To safeguard pollinators and ecosystems, concerted action is necessary. This includes protecting and restoring pollinator habitats, adopting pollinator-friendly agricultural practices, reducing pesticide use and raising public awareness about the crucial role of pollinators.

By addressing these challenges, we can ensure the sustainability of ecosystems, biodiversity and food production systems, securing a healthier future for both nature and humanity.

Climate change endangers pollinator population by _____.

disrupting their behaviour and reproductive patterns

The correct answer is Option 2: disrupting their behavior and reproductive patterns.

The passage states that climate change endangers pollinator populations by "disrupting their behavior and reproductive patterns". This is because changing temperatures and weather patterns can affect the timing of plant flowering, leading to mismatches between pollinators and their food sources. Additionally, climate change can also affect the availability of nesting sites and other resources that pollinators need to survive and reproduce.

Option 4 ("poisoning them") is not correct in the context of climate change because the passage specifically attributes poisoning of pollinators to pesticide exposure, not climate change.

• The passage states that "Pesticide exposure, especially insecticides...endanger pollinator populations by poisoning them."
• In contrast, climate change is described as disrupting "their behaviour and reproductive patterns," which is why Option 2 is the accurate answer in this context.