Deliberate Species Extinction — NEET Biology

Correct answer: B — S1, S3, S4 and S5 only

Let's evaluate each statement based on NCERT: S1: Correct. The NCERT states, 'According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) (2004), the total number of plant and animal species described so far is slightly more than 1.5 million'. S2: Incorrect. The NCERT states the opposite: 'For many taxonomic groups, species inventories are more complete in temperate than in tropical countries.' This makes extrapolations more complex, as a large proportion of undiscovered species are in the tropics. S3: Correct. The NCERT explicitly mentions, 'Consider the immense trained manpower (taxonomists) and the time required to complete the job,' highlighting the lack of taxonomic manpower as a hindrance. S4: Correct. The NCERT points out, 'The situation appears more hopeless when we realise that a large fraction of these species faces the threat of becoming extinct even before we discover them.' This directly links the time-consuming process to the threat of undiscovered extinction. S5: Correct. The NCERT states, 'a more conservative and scientifically sound estimate made by Robert May places the global species diversity at about 7 million.' This estimate indeed suggests that a large proportion of species are yet to be discovered, as only 1.5 million are described. Therefore, statements S1, S3, S4, and S5 are correct. This question tests the understanding of global and Indian biodiversity statistics, as well as the practical challenges involved in cataloging the Earth's biological wealth.