Taking the increasing trends of the biodiversity losses globally, the most important cause driving animals and plants to extinction is

Options

A. Over-exploitation
B. Co-extinction
C. Alein species invasions
D. Habitat loss and fragmentation

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks for the most important cause driving animals and plants to extinction, considering the trends of biodiversity loss globally.

2. **Identifying the Causes**: The four major causes of biodiversity loss typically include:
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Overexploitation
- Alien species invasion
- Co-extinctions

3. **Analyzing Each Cause**:
- **Habitat Loss and Fragmentation**: This refers to the destruction of natural habitats, which is often due to human activities like deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture. Fragmentation occurs when large habitats are divided into smaller, isolated patches, making it difficult for species to survive.
- **Overexploitation**: This involves the excessive hunting or harvesting of species, leading to their decline. Examples include the extinction of the stellar sea cow and the passenger pigeon.
- **Alien Species Invasion**: This occurs when non-native species are introduced into an ecosystem, often disrupting the balance and threatening native species. Examples include invasive plants like Parthenium and Eichhornia.
- **Co-extinctions**: This happens when the extinction of one species leads to the extinction of another that is dependent on it, such as a plant and its pollinator.

4. **Determining the Most Important Cause**: Among these causes, habitat loss and fragmentation is identified as the most critical factor driving extinction. This is because it directly affects the living space and resources available for many species, leading to population declines and eventual extinction.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the most important cause driving animals and plants to extinction globally is **habitat loss and fragmentation**.

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