Which of these acts is not a part of the 'Evil Quartet ' ?

Options

A. Destruction of rainforests for cultivation
B. Shifting endangered species out of their natural habitat to special setting
C. Introduction of Nile perch which led to the destruction of species of cichlid fish
D. Extinction of passenger pigeon led to extinction of its parasitic bird lice

Answer

To determine which act is not a part of the 'Evil Quartet', we first need to understand what the 'Evil Quartet' refers to in the context of biodiversity loss. The 'Evil Quartet' consists of four main factors that contribute to the decline in biodiversity:

1. **Habitat Loss**: This occurs when natural environments are destroyed or altered, making it difficult for species to survive. Activities like deforestation for agriculture are prime examples.

2. **Overexploitation**: This refers to the unsustainable use of natural resources, leading to a significant decline in species populations. Overfishing and excessive hunting are common examples.

3. **Alien Species Invasion**: The introduction of non-native species into an ecosystem can disrupt the balance and lead to the extinction of native species. An example is the introduction of the Nile Perch in Lake Victoria, which led to the decline of native Cichlid fish.

4. **Co-extinction**: This occurs when the extinction of one species leads to the extinction of another species that is dependent on it. For instance, if a host species goes extinct, the parasites or symbiotic species that rely on it may also disappear.

Now, let's analyze the options provided in the question:

- **Option A**: Destruction and deforestation of rainforests for cultivation and agriculture. This clearly falls under habitat loss, which is part of the Evil Quartet.

- **Option B**: Shifting endangered species to a special setting by removing them from their natural habitat. This is a conservation strategy known as in-situ conservation, aimed at protecting endangered species, and does not contribute to biodiversity loss. Therefore, this is **not** part of the Evil Quartet.

- **Option C**: The introduction of Nile Perch resulted in the destruction of Cichlid fish. This is an example of alien species invasion, which is part of the Evil Quartet.

- **Option D**: The extinction of the passenger pigeon leading to the extinction of lice that lived on it. This is an example of co-extinction, which is also part of the Evil Quartet.

Based on this analysis, the act that is not a part of the 'Evil Quartet' is **Option B**: Shifting endangered species to a special setting by removing them from their natural habitat.