Question

fifth or more of the species of plants and animals could vanish or be doomed to early extinction by the year 2020 unless better efforts are made to save them.... as the last forests are felled destroyed in forest strongholds like the philippines and ecuador, the decline of species will accelerate even more. in the world as a whole, extinction rates are already hundreds or thousands of times higher than before the coming of man. they cannot be balanced by new evolution in any period of time that has meaning for the human race.
why should we care? what difference does it make if some species are extinguished, if even half of all the species on earth disappear? let me count the ways. new sources of scientific information will be lost. vast potential biological wealth will be destroyed. still undeveloped medicines, crops, pharmaceuticals, timber, fibers, pulp, soil - restoring vegetation, petroleum substitutes, and other products and amenities will never come to light.
based on the excerpt, which statement best summarizes the authors beliefs about the disappearing species?
the loss of plant species and habitats will lead to widespread animal extinction.
the loss of plant species and habitats will lead to environmental problems in remote regions.
the loss of plant species and habitats will displace animals and decrease human wealth
the loss of plant species and habitats will devastate animals and hinder human progress

Explanation:

The text mentions that species extinction (including plants as habitats are destroyed) will lead to loss of scientific info (hindering human progress as in lost potential products like medicines, crops etc.) and also affects animals (as habitats are lost). The first option only focuses on animal extinction. The second option about remote regions environmental problems is not emphasized. The third option about human wealth decrease is too narrow compared to the broader impact on human progress (like loss of scientific info, potential products etc.). The fourth option correctly combines the impact on animals (devastate) and human progress (hinder).

Answer:

The loss of plant species and habitats will devastate animals and hinder human progress.