Concept explainers
Introduction:
The variety of life on earth is defined as biodiversity. The genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity are the three levels of biodiversity. The amount of variation that occurs in a species is known as
Answer to Problem 1MCQ
Correct answer:
Earthquakes are not the reason for the loss of biodiversity. Therefore, option a. is correct.
Explanation of Solution
Reason for the correct statement:
The loss of biodiversity is because of the habitat destruction, non-native species and over-exploitation. Biodiversity includes the variation in species, not the number of individuals, so it is not exploited by natural disasters.
Option a. is given as “Natural disasters such as earthquakes”.
As, “Natural disasters, such as earthquakes is not one of the main cause of today’s biodiversity crisis”, is the right answer.
Hence, the option a. is correct.
Reasons for the incorrect statements:
Option b. is given as “Habitat destruction and degradation”.
Habitat destruction involves the cutting of trees from large areas that is also known as deforestation. As the plants absorb carbon-dioxide and release oxygen, this maintains the cycle of gases in animals. Deforestation may result into oxygen sink which affects the diversity of species. The cutting of trees also leads to the soil erosion, which disturbs the plant species. So, it is a wrong answer.
Option c. is given as “Overexploitation”.
Overexploitation of species involves harvesting the members of species faster than they can reproduce. This is one of the main causes of biodiversity exploitation. So, it is a wrong answer.
Option d. is given as “Introduction of nonnative species”.
When new species enter a new location, they affect the local habitat and are known as nonnative species. These new species are not related to existing species and they may disturb the biodiversity. So, it is a wrong answer.
Hence, options b., c., and d. are incorrect.
The loss of biodiversity is due to the destruction and degradation of habitat, fast harvesting of the members of species and the involvement of invasive species.
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Chapter 40 Solutions
BIOLOGY:CONCEPTS+INVEST.-CONNECT ACCESS
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