pyq/2023/csat/13

Elephants are landscape architects, creating clearings in the forest, preventing overgrowth of certain plant species and allowing space for the regeneration of others, which in turn provide sustenance to others herbivorous animals. Elephants eat plants, fruits and seeds, propagating the seeds when they defecate in other places as they travel. Elephant dung provides nourishment to plants and animals and acts as a breeding ground for insects. In times of drought, they access water by digging holes which benefits other wildlife.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational inference that can be drawn from the passage?

(A) The home range of elephants needs to be a vast area of rich biodiversity

(B) Elephants are the keystone species and they benefit the biodiversity

(C) Rich biodiversity cannot be maintained in the forests without the presence of elephants

(D) Elephants are capable of regenerating forests with species as per their requirement.