Which time period experienced a significant reduction in biodiversity primarily due to habitat destruction caused by human activities?

• A. The present (Anthropocene)
• B. The Cambrian Period
• C. The Jurassic Period
• D. The Devonian Period

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of biodiversity: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or the entire Earth. It includes species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.
2. Recognize the Anthropocene as the current geological time period: The Anthropocene is characterized by significant human impact on Earth's ecosystems, including habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation of resources.
3. Compare the Anthropocene to other geological periods: The Cambrian Period, Jurassic Period, and Devonian Period were marked by natural evolutionary processes and mass extinctions due to natural events, not human activities.
4. Identify the primary cause of biodiversity reduction in the Anthropocene: Habitat destruction caused by deforestation, urbanization, agriculture, and industrialization is a major factor leading to the loss of biodiversity in the present time.
5. Conclude that the Anthropocene is the correct answer: The significant reduction in biodiversity due to human activities, particularly habitat destruction, is a defining feature of the Anthropocene, distinguishing it from earlier geological periods.