According to conservation biologists, how much of the earth's land surface should be strictly protected ?

Options

A. 0.25
B. 0.05
C. 0.5
D. 0.1

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Biodiversity and Conservation**:
- Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including species richness (the number of different species) and endemism (species that are native to a specific region).
- Conservation biologists focus on protecting these diverse species and their habitats to prevent extinction.

2. **Identifying Biodiversity Hotspots**:
- Conservation biologists have identified regions known as biodiversity hotspots, which are areas with high levels of species richness and endemism.
- These hotspots are crucial for conservation efforts because they contain unique species that are not found anywhere else.

3. **Extent of Biodiversity Hotspots**:
- Initially, there were 25 recognized biodiversity hotspots, and later, 9 more were added, totaling 34 hotspots.
- These hotspots collectively cover less than 2% of the Earth's land area.

4. **Significance of Protecting Biodiversity Hotspots**:
- Protecting these hotspots can significantly reduce the rate of species extinction. It is estimated that conservation in these areas can reduce extinction rates by about 30%.

5. **Legal Protection and Conservation Areas**:
- In addition to biodiversity hotspots, there are other legally protected areas, such as wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, which also contribute to conservation efforts.
- When considering all legally protected areas globally, they account for about 10% of the Earth's land surface.

6. **Conclusion**:
- According to conservation biologists, to effectively conserve biodiversity and reduce extinction rates, it is recommended that at least 10% of the Earth's land surface should be strictly protected.

**Final Answer**: According to conservation biologists, at least 10% of the Earth's land surface should be strictly protected.

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