The correct option is B Keeping animals in zoological parks
Introduction to biodiversity loss:
Biodiversity is the variety and variability of organisms present on earth and biodiversity loss refers to the decline in this variety. Common causes of loss of biodiversity are as follows:
● Habitat loss and fragmentation
● Invasion by alien species
● Co-extinctions
● Overexploitation
Destruction of habitat:
Habitat loss and fragmentation occur due to a population explosion that has destroyed forest lands leading to the loss of habitat for several species. For example, the Amazon rainforest (harbored a variety of species) which covered 14% of the land now covers less than 6%. Therefore there was the destruction of habitat. Destruction of such large habitats leads to fragmentation. Birds (especially migratory birds) and mammals that require large territories are affected by habitat loss and fragmentation.
Invasion by alien species:
Some alien species which are purposefully or unintentionally introduced into a habitat often turn invasive and cause the decline of indigenous species. For example, the African catfish called Clarias gariepinus is becoming a threat to the native catfishes in the rivers.
Keeping animals in zoological parks:
Zoological parks help in off-site or ex-situ conservation of biodiversity by protecting threatened and endangered animals in controlled environments, outside their natural environment. Some zoological parks have provisions for captive breeding of animals. This has helped in maintaining many animals in the controlled environment of the zoos while they have become extinct in the wild.
Over-exploitation of natural resources:
Overuse of natural resources by humans leads to overexploitation of resources. For example, Steller’s sea cow of Russia was overexploited by humans as a result of which they became extinct.
Final answer
c. Keeping animals in zoological parks