Question

Twenty-five percent of prescription drugs come from rapidly disappearing tropical forests. -U.S. Department of State, ""Environment and Conservation,"" (accessed January 6, 2009)

Which situation is referred to in this excerpt?
A. The rapid growth of urban populations
B. The rapid conversion of an important habitat to other uses
C. The spread of invasive species to non-native habitats
D. The release of toxic chemicals into Earth's atmosphere

Answer 1

The situation referred to in the given excerpt is the rapid conversion of an important habitat to other uses. This rapid conversion of tropical forests is leading to the extinction of species and the destruction of valuable habitats, which has consequences for biodiversity and the availability of medicinal plants. The correct answer is option B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The situation referred to in the given excerpt is B. The rapid conversion of an important habitat to other uses.

The excerpt mentions that twenty-five percent of prescription drugs come from rapidly disappearing tropical forests, which indicates that these forests are being converted to other uses at a fast pace. Forest loss in tropical regions due to activities like timber extraction and the establishment of palm oil plantations is resulting in the extinction of species and the destruction of valuable habitats.

This situation highlights the negative impact of habitat destruction on biodiversity and the potential loss of important medicinal plants.