The passage given below is followed by four alternate summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Gradually, life for the island’s birds is improving. Antarctic prions and white-headed petrels, which also nest in burrows, had managed to cling on in some sites while pests were on the island. Their numbers are now increasing. “It’s fantastic and so exciting,” Shaw says. As birds return to breed, they also poo. This adds nutrients to the soil, which in turn helps the plants to grow back stronger. Tall plants then help burrowing birds hide from predatory skuas. “It’s this wonderful feedback loop,” Shaw says. Today, the “pretty paddock” that Houghton first experienced has been transformed. “The tussock is over your head, and you’re dodging all these penguin tunnels,” she says. The orchids and tiny herb that had been protected by fencing have started turning up all over the place.
Explanation:
The passage illustrates the gradual enhancement of life on the island, particularly benefiting birds such as Antarctic prions and white-headed petrels. It underscores the rising bird populations, attributed to absence of pests on the island. The elimination of pests facilitates the birds' return, fostering breeding activities and contributing positively to the ecosystem.
Furthermore, the passage notes the valuable role of bird droppings in enriching the soil with nutrients, supporting the growth of plants. In summary, Option (a) accurately captures the core theme of the passage, emphasizing the rejuvenation and improvement of the island's environment through the eradication of pests, positively impacting both birds and plants.
Option (b) incorrectly implies an increase in predatory bird numbers, contradicting the positive developments outlined in the passage.
Option (c) is inaccurate, as the passage doesn't explicitly identify the mentioned protection as the primary cause of the positive changes.
Option (d) is too general and fails to specifically highlight the absence of pests as a pivotal factor in the positive transformation detailed in the passage.
Hence, option (a).
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