Read the following passage and answer the question by choosing the correct options:

Since the last few decades, growth in human population has increased the rate of consumption of natural resources. It has accelerated the loss of species and habitation in different parts of the world. Tropical regions which occupy only about one-fourth of the total area of the world, contain about three-fourth of the world human population. Over-exploitation of resources and deforestation have become rampant to fulfil the needs of large population. As these tropical rain forests contain 50 per cent of the species on the earth, destruction of natural habitats have proved disastrous for the entire biosphere.

Natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, droughts, etc. cause damage to the flora and fauna of the earth, bringing change to the biodiversity of respective affected regions. Pesticides and other pollutants such as hydrocarbons and toxic heavy metals destroy the weak and sensitive species. Species which are not the natural inhabitants of the local habitat but are introduced into the system, are called exotic species. There are many examples when a natural biotic community of the ecosystem suffered extensive damage because of the introduction of exotic species. During the last few decades, some animals like tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, crocodiles, minks and birds were hunted down mercilessly by poachers for their horn, tusks, hides, etc. It has resulted in the rendering of certain types of organisms as endangered category.

Match List - I with List - II to correctly complete the information given in the table:

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(A)-(III), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(II)

The correct answer is Option (1) → (A)-(III), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(II)

1. (A) Increase in human population → (III) accelerated the loss of species

   • The passage states that growth in human population has increased the rate of consumption of natural resources and accelerated the loss of species.

2. (B) Tropical regions → (I) contain about three-fourth of population

   • The passage states that tropical regions, which occupy one-fourth of the total area, contain about three-fourths of the world’s human population.

3. (C) Tropical rain forests → (IV) contain 50% of the species

   • The passage clearly mentions that tropical rain forests contain 50% of the species on Earth.

4. (D) Destruction of natural habitats → (II) proved disastrous for biosphere

   • The passage states that the destruction of natural habitats has proved disastrous for the biosphere.