The Mammillaria cactus M. boolii occurs naturally only in the state of Sonora in Mexico, and the smallness of its...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
The Mammillaria cactus M. boolii occurs naturally only in the state of Sonora in Mexico, and the smallness of its range makes it especially vulnerable to extinction. The traditional single-species approach to conservation emphasizes the need to focus on individual species most at risk, like M. boolii, but recently, conservationists have argued that an ecosystem-based approach that incorporates the many interactions between the climate, terrain, and various species of a given geographical area may lead to better outcomes for all the species in a given location. If this view is correct, the single-species approach to the conservation of M. boolii could thus ______
Which choice most logically completes the text?
lead to a better understanding of how the distribution of Mammillaria species throughout Mexico has affected their survival.
allow conservationists to better consider how climatic changes affecting Sonora may reduce the number of species competing with M. boolii.
erroneously shift the focus of conservation efforts away from M. boolii itself.
fail to consider the ways in which the survival of M. boolii may be influenced by changes in the populations of other species that inhabit Sonora.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The Mammillaria cactus M. boolii occurs naturally only in the state of Sonora in Mexico, and the smallness of its range makes it especially vulnerable to extinction." |
|
| "The traditional single-species approach to conservation emphasizes the need to focus on individual species most at risk, like M. boolii," |
|
| "but recently, conservationists have argued that an ecosystem-based approach that incorporates the many interactions between the climate, terrain, and various species of a given geographical area may lead to better outcomes for all the species in a given location." |
|
| "If this view is correct, the single-species approach to the conservation of M. boolii could thus ______" |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Two conservation approaches exist—single-species versus ecosystem-based—and if the ecosystem approach is superior, this has implications for the single-species method.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes M. boolii as a vulnerable species, explains the traditional single-species conservation approach, presents the newer ecosystem-based alternative that considers broader interactions, and sets up a logical conclusion about the limitations of the single-species approach if the ecosystem view is correct.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The key contrast is that the ecosystem approach considers "many interactions between the climate, terrain, and various species" while the single-species approach focuses only on "individual species most at risk."
- If the ecosystem approach is better because it considers these broader interactions, then the single-species approach must be limited because it DOESN'T consider these interactions.
- The right answer should show that the single-species approach fails to account for how other factors (like other species, climate, terrain) might affect M. boolii's survival.
lead to a better understanding of how the distribution of Mammillaria species throughout Mexico has affected their survival.
- Focuses on understanding distribution patterns of Mammillaria species throughout Mexico.
- The passage isn't about distribution patterns or comparing different Mammillaria species.
- Doesn't address the core contrast between considering individual species versus ecosystem interactions.
✗ Incorrect
allow conservationists to better consider how climatic changes affecting Sonora may reduce the number of species competing with M. boolii.
- Suggests the single-species approach would help consider how climate changes reduce competition.
- This is backwards—the single-species approach is being criticized for NOT considering these broader interactions.
- Contradicts the passage's point that ecosystem approach is better for considering such interactions.
✗ Incorrect
erroneously shift the focus of conservation efforts away from M. boolii itself.
- Claims the single-species approach would shift focus away from M. boolii.
- This makes no sense—the single-species approach specifically focuses ON individual species like M. boolii.
- Misunderstands what the single-species approach actually does.
✗ Incorrect
fail to consider the ways in which the survival of M. boolii may be influenced by changes in the populations of other species that inhabit Sonora.
- Shows that single-species approach fails to consider how other species' population changes affect M. boolii.
- Directly captures the limitation: single-species focuses only on M. boolii while ecosystem approach considers "interactions between...various species".
- Perfectly matches our prethinking about overlooking broader ecological factors.
✓ Correct