UPSC Prelims 2018 Q60: Environment & Ecology – Biodiversity & Conservation
- (a) Widespread monoculture practices in agriculture and large - scale commercial farming with indiscriminate use of chemicals in many parts of the world that may result in the loss of good native ecosystems.
- (b) Fears of a possible collision of a meteorite with the Earth in the near future in the manner it happened 65 million years ago that caused the mass extinction of many species including those of dinosaurs.
- (c) Large - scale cultivation of genetically modified crops in many parts of the world and promoting their cultivation in other parts of the world which may cause the disappearance of good native crop plants and the loss of food biodiversity.
- (d) Mankind's over - exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.
Answer: (d) Mankind's over - exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.
Explanation
Sixth Mass Extinction - Context
The 'Sixth Mass Extinction' (also called the Holocene / Anthropocene Extinction) refers to the ongoing extinction event driven by human activity. It is the sixth major extinction in Earth's history, following the End-Ordovician, Late Devonian, End-Permian, End-Triassic, and End-Cretaceous (dinosaur) extinctions.
Causes: According to the IUCN, IPBES and E.O. Wilson's research, current species loss is driven by:
| Driver | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Habitat loss and fragmentation | Deforestation, urbanisation, agriculture expansion |
| Over-exploitation | Overfishing, poaching, unsustainable resource use |
| Pollution | Air, water, soil, plastic, chemical contamination |
| Invasive species | Displacement of native species by introduced ones |
| Climate change | Warming, ocean acidification, ecosystem shifts |
Checking the options:
| Option | Match? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Monoculture + chemicals + native ecosystem loss | Too narrow - one factor among many, not the full picture. |
| (b) | Fear of meteorite collision like 65 mya | Wrong - the previous extinction (Cretaceous-Paleogene) was meteoritic; the SIXTH extinction is human-driven, not meteoric. |
| (c) | GM crop cultivation + loss of food biodiversity | Very narrow - GM crops are a small factor, not the primary sixth-extinction driver. |
| (d) Over-exploitation, habitat loss, ecosystem destruction, pollution, climate change | YES | Comprehensive answer - matches the IPBES/IUCN drivers of ongoing biodiversity collapse. |
Answer: (d) Mankind's over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.
Answer: (d) Mankind's over - exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Monoculture is one driver among many; the sixth extinction encompasses much broader human impact.
- (b) Incorrect. The previous extinction (65 mya) was meteoric; the sixth extinction is human-driven, not a future asteroid impact.
- (c) Incorrect. GM crops are a narrow issue and not the primary driver of the sixth extinction as scientifically defined.
- (d) CORRECT. This is the comprehensive scientific description - habitat loss, over-exploitation, pollution, climate change all together drive the sixth extinction.
Key point
Sixth Mass Extinction = Anthropocene extinction driven by humans. Drivers (IPBES 2019): habitat change, over-exploitation, climate change, pollution, invasive species. Previous 5 extinctions were natural; this one is entirely anthropogenic.
Remember
The Sixth Mass Extinction, also called the Holocene or Anthropocene Extinction, refers to the ongoing loss of species driven by human activity. Its causes include over-exploitation of natural resources, habitat fragmentation and destruction, pollution, and global climate change - together devastating biodiversity worldwide. It is qualitatively different from the previous five extinctions (which had natural causes) because humans are the primary driver.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the Sixth Extinction (current, human-driven) with the Fifth Extinction (Cretaceous-Paleogene, 66 mya, meteoric).
- Assuming only one cause - IPBES identifies FIVE key drivers, all human-linked.
- Overlooking climate change - warming and acidification are accelerating the sixth extinction, not just direct habitat loss.
Exam tip
Sixth Extinction drivers (IPBES 2019): Habitat change (largest), Over-exploitation, Climate change, Pollution, Invasive species. Any comprehensive option covering multiple drivers is likely correct.
Sources
- IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (2019)
- IUCN Red List and E.O. Wilson - The Diversity of Life