Question

Which of the following affects the natural habitat of endemic species?
(a) Destruction of their habitat
(b) Increasing human population
(c) Introduction of new species
(d) All of the above

Answer 1

Endemic species are those species that are present exclusively in a particular place. These are better adapted to their natural habitats. Change or alternations of its natural habitats in any way can lead to the extinction of these species. There are a number of threats that affect the natural habitat of endemic species. These can be natural or human-made.

Complete step by step answer:
Endemic Species are species of plants and animals which are found in a particular region not present elsewhere in the world. Habitat loss is considered the greatest threat to organisms and their biodiversity. Habitat destruction occurs when the natural habitat is no longer capable of supporting its native species. It results in the destruction of its biodiversity. when an organism that previously inhabited an area is displaced, it will reduce biodiversity and species abundance. The growth of the human population also has a great impact on the planet and affected biodiversity. The introduction of invasive species affects the equilibrium of biodiversity in different ways. When a new aggressive species is introduced into an ecosystem, there may not be having natural predators to control their growth.

Additional Information:
- The major factors which cause or contribute to endemism are geographical isolation, mutation, and natural crossing between closely related plants growing under favorable conditions.
- Isolation negatively influences the adaptability of plants to a broad spectrum of environmental conditions.
- Thus, in turn, lowers their tolerance range or ecological amplitude.
So, the correct answer is '(d) All of the above'.

Note:
- Mutants and hybrids also will have low tolerance ranges. These three forces act separately or collectively resulting in populations that are adapted only to their local environment.
- So they are not adapted to live in different environments elsewhere.
- Thus considerably restricts their migration and wide distribution and thereby causes or contributes to endemism.