Read the following statements and choose the following option: 1. Habitat loss and fragmentation is identified as the most critical cause of extinction for both animals and plants. 2. Tropical rainforests once covered more than 6% of the Earth's land surface. 3. The Amazon rainforest is being cleared mainly for cultivating corn and rice. 4. Pollution is mentioned as a factor contributing to habitat degradation. 5. Fr

Step-by-step solution

Habitat loss and fragmentation are the most significant causes of extinction, as mentioned in the paragraph. Tropical rainforests, which once covered over 14% of the Earth's land surface, are now reduced to no more than 6%. The Amazon rainforest is being cleared primarily for cultivating soya beans or converting the land into grasslands for raising beef cattle. Pollution contributes to habitat degradation. Fragmentation of habitats affects mammals and birds requiring large territories and certain migratory animals,