“The Evil Quartet” of biodiversity loss includes which of the following ?
Over-exploitation; Alien species invasions; Air pollution; Co-extinctions
Habitat loss and fragmentation; over-exploitation; Alien species invasions; Co-extinctions
Habitat loss and fragmentation; Air pollution; Water pollution; Co-extinctions
Over-exploitation; Alien species invasions; Soil pollution; Co-extinctions
Habitat loss and fragmentation; over-exploitation; Alien species invasions; Co-extinctions
The "Evil Quartet" refers to the four major causes of accelerated rates of species extinction currently occurring on Earth.
Step 1: Identifying the core components
The four main factors identified by ecologists are Habitat loss and fragmentation, Over exploitation, Alien species invasions, and Co-extinctions.
Step 2: Evaluating Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
This is considered the most important cause driving animals and plants to extinction. Examples include the clearing of the Amazon rainforest. Fragmentation occurs when large habitats are broken into small patches due to human activities.
Step 3: Evaluating Over-exploitation and Alien Species
Over-exploitation occurs when biological systems are harvested beyond their capacity to recover (e.g., Steller’s sea cow). Alien species invasion happens when non-native species are introduced into a new area, leading to the decline or extinction of indigenous species.
Step 4: Understanding Co-extinction
Whenaspecies becomes extinct, the plant and animal species associated with it in an obligatory way also become extinct.