Read the following statements regarding the loss of biodiversity and mass extinctions: (A) Five episodes of mass extinction of species occurred prior to the origin of humans. (B) The current 'Sixth Extinction' is progressing at a rate estimated to be 100 to 1000 times faster than in pre-human times. (C) The current episode of mass extinction is primarily driven by natural climatic shifts and continental drift. (D) Ec

Step-by-step solution

Statements (A), (B), and (D) are correct according to the standard biological literature. Statement (C) is incorrect because the current 'Sixth Extinction' differs from the previous five episodes primarily because it is anthropogenic. Human activities, rather than natural climatic shifts, are responsible for the accelerated rates of species extinction. Therefore, exactly three statements are correct. Answer: Three