The graph below shows the English sparrow population in an area over several years. In 1988, a large shopping mall was built in the area where the sparrows lived.

According to the information in the graph, how did this affect the sparrow population over a period
of time?
a. The population increased because humans fed the sparrows.
b. The sparrow population was unaffected by the shopping mall.
c. The population increased because predators were removed.
d. The sparrow population decreased because of habitat destruction.

d. The sparrow population decreased because of habitat destruction.

Explanation:

You included no graph but this should be the correct answer.

Habitat loss is one of the leading ways that an animal can go extinct. This happens because the animal has to go to other habitats which might be too dangerous or they eat less because food is not as available as it was in the previous habitat. Habitat loss therefore reduces the population of animals.

This will be no different for the sparrow population here. The large shopping mall has taken the land of the sparrow and now the sparrows will see their numbers decline as time goes on due to a lack of habitat.