Which of the following is NOT a cause of biodiversity loss due to human activities?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Meteorite Impact
Option (1) Habitat loss and fragmentation — A cause. The most important cause of loss of plants and animals.
Option (2) Over-exploitation — A cause. Hunting and harvesting drove species such as Steller’s sea cow to extinction.
Option (3) Alien species invasions — A cause. Introduced species can wipe out native ones.
Option (4) Meteorite Impact — Not a cause. A meteorite impact is a natural event, not a human activity.
NCERT Extract:
Loss of Biodiversity – “In general, loss of biodiversity in a region may lead to (a) decline in plant production, (b) lowered resistance to environmental perturbations such as drought and (c) increased variability in certain ecosystem processes such as plant productivity, water use, and pest and disease cycles. Causes of biodiversity losses: 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).”
Loss of Biodiversity – “… (ii) Over-exploitation: Humans have always depended on nature for food and shelter, but when ‘need’ turns to ‘greed’, it leads to over-exploitation of natural resources.”