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Question #46643
The Question
Sacred groves in the Western Ghats act as isolated 'habitat islands' due to severe fragmentation of the surrounding landscape. A population of a large frugivorous bird, which requires extensive territories, is declining in these groves despite strict protection of the trees. Integrating the 'Evil Quartet' of biodiversity loss with bioenergetics, which of the following best explains this local extinction?
Options
- A.
The increased 'edge effect' in smaller groves enhances the core habitat, altering the bird's optimal foraging time.
- B.
The metabolic cost of inter-patch movement across the fragmented matrix exceeds the net caloric benefit gained from foraging within individual groves.
- C.
The Z-value of the species-area relationship for the groves approaches 0.1 to 0.2, indicating severe isolation and resource depletion.
- D.
The birds undergo competitive exclusion because the fragmented patches support a higher carrying capacity (K) for all competing species.
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Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Regulatory_Failure
Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.
Concepts Behind This Question
Snails|Decomposition|Soil Enzymes
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often memorize that 'Sacred Groves conserve biodiversity' but fail to integrate it with the consequences of 'Habitat Fragmentation'.
The trap lies in assuming that strict protection of a small patch guarantees survival for all species.
The question forces the application of bioenergetics (cost of travel vs. energy gain) to community ecology.
Furthermore, it tests the quantitative nuance of the Species-Area relationship, where students frequently confuse the normal Z-value (0.1-0.2) with the isolated island Z-value (0.6-1.2).
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Organisms and Populations - Class 12 |
| Concept | Diapause vs Hibernation vs Aestivation |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |