Question

The term ‘The Evil Quartet’ is used to describe

• A. four major causes of forest loss
• B. four major causes of population explosion
• C. four major causes of air pollution
• D. four major causes of biodiversity losses

Answer 1

The correct option is D four major causes of biodiversity losses

There is an increased rate of biodiversity loss due to various human activities. The term ‘The Evil Quartet’ was introduced by Jared Diamond to describe the causes of biodiversity losses. 'Evil Quartet' describes the four major causes of biodiversity losses which include

• Habitat loss and fragmentation: the increase in human population has led to clearing of many forest lands for agriculture and space for settlements, which has led to habitat destruction. Destruction of such large habitats has led to fragmentation, where a larger area is broken into smaller patches. Certain mammals and birds require large territories and these animals get adversely affected when large habitats are broken up into small fragments.
• Over-exploitation of natural resources by humans has led to the extinction of species such as Steller’s sea cow and passenger pigeon.
• Alien species invasions: introduction of a non-native species purposefully or unintentionally in a habitat have made some species turn invasive and cause decline of native species. This is because the newly introduced species may adapt and reproduce rapidly either by preying on the existing species or using up the available resources in the introduced area.
• Co-extinction: when a certain species becomes extinct, then the plant or animal species associated or dependent on it also becomes extinct.

‘Evil Quartet’ does not explain the causes of forest loss, population explosion or air pollution.