Which of the following can be threats to the biodiversity of a geographical area? 1. Global warming 2. Fragmentation of habitat 3. Invasion of alien species 4. Promotion of vegetarianism Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

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Q: 21 (IAS/2012)
Which of the following can be threats to the biodiversity of a geographical area?
1. Global warming
2. Fragmentation of habitat
3. Invasion of alien species
4. Promotion of vegetarianism
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

question_subject: 

Ecology

question_exam: 

IAS

stats: 

0,248,155,248,8,11,136

keywords: 

{'biodiversity': [2, 0, 2, 9], 'habitat': [1, 0, 0, 0], 'geographical area': [1, 0, 0, 1], 'alien species': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'threats': [0, 0, 1, 1], 'invasion': [2, 1, 2, 1], 'global warming': [3, 0, 1, 0], 'vegetarianism': [0, 0, 0, 3]}

Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, including the diversity of ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity within species. It is essential for the functioning of ecosystems and the provision of ecosystem services that are necessary for human well-being. However, biodiversity is under threat due to various human activities such as climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, and the introduction of alien species.

Global warming: Climate change caused by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture has led to changes in temperature and precipitation patterns. This has a significant impact on biodiversity as it affects the distribution and abundance of species, alters ecosystem processes, and increases the risk of extinction.

Fragmentation of habitat: The destruction and fragmentation of habitats due to human activities such as urbanization, deforestation, and agriculture can lead to the isolation of populations and reduce their gene flow, which can ultimately result in a loss of genetic diversity and increase the risk of extinction.

Invasion of alien species: The introduction of non-native species into an ecosystem can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem and cause harm to native species. Alien species can outcompete native species for resources, prey on native species, or introduce new diseases or parasites, which can lead to the decline or extinction of native species.

Promotion of vegetarianism: Vegetarianism is not a direct threat to biodiversity. However, the production of meat and dairy products requires a large amount of land, water, and other natural resources, which can lead to habitat destruction and the overexploitation of natural resources. Therefore, promoting vegetarianism can be a strategy to reduce the pressure on biodiversity and the environment by reducing meat consumption.

In summary, global warming, fragmentation of habitat, and invasion of alien species are the significant threats to biodiversity of a geographical area, whereas promoting vegetarianism is a strategy to reduce the pressure on biodiversity and the environment.