A researcher created the graph showing the human population compared to the total number of species that have gone extinct over time.
Which statement should be refuted based on the data?
Choose the correct answer.
A As the human population increases, the rate of extinctions is not affected.
B Water and air become polluted at higher rates as the human population grows.
C Animal habitats are destroyed to make space for homes as the number of humans
on Earth increases.
D A greater human population means that less food and water resources are available
for other organisms

Based on the data, the statement that should be refuted is option A;

A As the human population increases, the rate of extinctions is not affected

Explanation:

From the graph showing the human population compared to the total number of species that have gone extinct over time, we have;

As the human population increases, the total number of species that have gone extinct with time also increases, therefore, we have;

There is a (near) linear relationship between the increase in human population and the total number of species that have gone extinct with time and as human population increases, the number the rate of extinctions also increases

Therefore, the statement to be refuted based on the data is presented as follows;

'As the human population increases, the rate of extinctions is not affected'