Question

Which of the following is referred as Evil Quartet with reference to loss of biodiversity?

• A. Species richness, extinctions, deforestation, erosion
• B. Habitat loss and fragmentation, overexploitation, alien species invasion, co-extinction
• C. Overexploitation, grazing, decompositon, extinction
• D. Habitat destruction, co-extinction, deforestation, species richness
• E. Grazing, erosion, deforestation, species richness

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Habitat loss and fragmentation, overexploitation, alien species invasion, co-extinction

Jarod Diamond in 1984 listed four principal mechanisms for the loss of biodiversity. It was known as the 'Evil quartet'. It was also known as four horsemen of the ecological apocalypse. The four mechanisms were:-

a) overhunting (or overexploitation),

b) introduced species,

c) habitat destruction and

d) chains of linked extinctions (trophic cascades, or co-extinctions).

So, the correct answer is 'Habitat loss and fragmentation, overexploitation, alien species invasion, co-extinction'.