Among 'The Evil Quartet' which one is considered the most important cause driving extinction of species? (NEET 2023)
Answer: (A) Habitat loss and fragmentation. Answer: (a) Habitat loss and fragmentation Solution: Of the four causes that make up 'The Evil Quartet', NCERT explicitly singles out habitat loss and fragmentation as 'the most important cause driving animals and plants to extinction', with tropical rain forest loss as the most dramatic example.
- A.Habitat loss and fragmentation✓
- B.Over exploitation for economic gain
- C.Alien species invasions
- D.Co-extinctions
Correct Answer
(A) Habitat loss and fragmentation
Solution & Explanation
Answer: (a) Habitat loss and fragmentation Solution: Of the four causes that make up 'The Evil Quartet', NCERT explicitly singles out habitat loss and fragmentation as 'the most important cause driving animals and plants to extinction', with tropical rain forest loss as the most dramatic example. Over-exploitation, alien species invasions and co-extinctions are genuine members of the Evil Quartet but are not ranked as the foremost cause, so (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect. NCERT: NCERT Class XII Biology, Ch 13 Biodiversity and Conservation, p.222, lines 30-32: "Habitat loss and fragmentation: This is the most important cause driving animals and plants to extinction."