Which factor among the 'Evil Quartet' is universally recognized as the single most critical driver leading to animal and plant extinctions?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Habitat loss and fragmentation

1. Habitat loss and fragmentation,
2. Over-exploitation,
3. Alien species invasions,
4. Co-extinctions.
  1. Step 1: The 'Evil Quartet' refers to the four major anthropogenic drivers of biodiversity loss:
  2. Step 2: Habitat loss and fragmentation is by far the most destructive and primary cause of species extinctions worldwide.
  3. Step 3: For example, tropical rainforests once covered over 14% of the Earth's land surface and have been reduced to less than 6%, displacing millions of species (such as the Amazon rainforest being cleared for soybean cultivation and cattle ranching).
Answer
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Why not the others: 'Over-exploitation...', 'Invasion by alien exotic species...', and 'Co-extinction...' are devastating contributing drivers within the Evil Quartet, but habitat destruction remains the single leading cause of global species extinctions.

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