Prelims 2018 · Environment · Question 60
The term "sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction" is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of
Answer
Mankind's over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.
- (a) Monoculture and chemical-intensive farming do harm biodiversity, but the term "sixth mass extinction" is not specifically used for this alone. Verdict: Incorrect.
- (b) This refers to a possible future meteorite impact like the one linked to the fifth mass extinction; the sixth extinction is not about an expected asteroid event. Verdict: Incorrect.
- (c) GM crops and crop biodiversity loss are debated issues, but "sixth mass extinction" refers more broadly to species extinction across ecosystems, not specifically to GM cultivation. Verdict: Incorrect.
- (d) The sixth mass extinction is widely used for the ongoing human-driven biodiversity crisis caused by habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, invasive species and climate change. Verdict: Correct.