The correct option is (d).
Explanation
The extinction of natural vegetation and wildlife is driven by changes in climatic conditions and human interference. These factors result in the loss of natural habitats, which is the primary cause of species extinction. Both natural disasters and anthropogenic activities accelerate this process.
Statement-wise Analysis
- 1. Soil erosion: Correct. Soil erosion involves the removal of fertile topsoil essential for the growth of natural vegetation. The degradation of soil quality leads to the loss of plant life and the subsequent displacement or extinction of wildlife dependent on that vegetation.
- 2. Constructional activities: Correct. Anthropogenic activities such as the construction of roads, dams, and urban settlements lead to direct deforestation, fragmentation of habitats, and encroachment on wildlife corridors, significantly accelerating biodiversity loss.
- 3. Tsunami: Correct. Natural disasters like tsunamis cause sudden and massive destruction of coastal ecosystems, uprooting vegetation (such as mangroves) and killing wildlife, thereby contributing to local or regional extinction events.
- 4. Landslides: Correct. Landslides, often triggered by heavy rainfall or seismic activity, physically destroy habitats in mountainous regions, burying vegetation and disrupting the ecological balance required for wildlife survival.
Key Takeaway
The process of extinction is accelerated by a combination of human factors (deforestation, constructional activities) and natural factors (soil erosion, tsunamis, landslides, forest fires).