Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Habitat loss and fragmentation is the most important cause driving animals and plants to extinction. Reason (R): Mammals and birds requiring large territories and certain animals with migratory habits are badly affected when large habitats are broken into small fragments. In the light of the above

Step-by-step solution

According to NCERT, habitat loss and fragmentation is the most important cause driving animals and plants to extinction (The 'Evil Quartet'). When large habitats are broken up into small fragments due to human activities, mammals and birds requiring large territories and certain animals with migratory habits are badly affected, leading to population declines. Thus, the Reason correctly explains the mechanism by which habitat fragmentation leads to the decline and extinction of these species, making it the correct e