Question

Identify the correct statement(s) regarding holocene extinction.
(1) Caused by natural calamities
(2) Occurred 16000 years ago
(3) More than 15,500 species are on the brink of extinction
(4) The rate of extinction is 100-1000 times faster compared to the mass extinctions that have occurred in the past

Choose the correct option.

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 3 and 4
• C. 1 and 4
• D. 2 and 4

Answer 1

The correct option is B 3 and 4

Holocene extinction or the sixth mass extinction started approximately 11,000 years ago and is continuing till present time. It is believed to be an anthropogenic mass extinction triggered and caused due to human activities such as pollution, introduction of exotic species, hunting, overexploitation and habitat destruction and fragmentation.

The current species extinction rate is 100 -1000 times faster than the earlier extinction rate because of human impact on the environment and more than 15,500 species are on the brink of extinction. Ecologists have warned that if the same trend continues then nearly half of all the species on earth might be wiped off within the next 100 years. Thus statements 3 and 4 are correct with respect to the holocene extinction.