Final answer:
To protect a newly discovered rat species, establishing protected areas to conserve habitat and prevent hunting and poaching would be the most effective measure. The correct options are a,b,d.
Step-by-step explanation:
To protect the newly discovered rat species, the factor that would likely help the most is the establishment of wildlife sanctuaries or protected areas where hunting is prohibited, and habitat conservation is emphasized. None of the options provided, such as legal hunting (a), habitat loss (b), the spread of plague (c), or poaching (d), would help in protecting the species. Instead, these factors would potentially harm the species further by either directly reducing their numbers or by altering their environment in a way that could lead to a decline in their population. Effective conservation efforts for protecting species often involve creating protected areas, enforcing anti-poaching laws, and managing habitat to ensure the long-term survival of the species.
Hunting and poaching are direct threats to wildlife and can lead to significant declines in populations, especially for newly discovered or endangered species. The impact of diseases like the plague can also be devastating, as history has shown with its effect on both human and animal populations. Habitat loss, often due to human activities such as deforestation, agriculture, and urban development, is a major threat to biodiversity and can lead to the decline of species by removing their natural living space and resources.
Wildlife conservation strategies such as creating no-take areas and implementing habitat conservation methods are critical for ensuring the survival of numerous species, including newly discovered ones. These protect the species from human-caused threats and help maintain the ecological balance within their environment.
To conclude, the most effective measure for protecting a newly discovered rat species would be to create protected areas that conserve their habitat and prevent hunting and poaching.