Directions: Read the following passage and answer the given questions:

The Himalayan region is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. However, this ecosystem is under increasing threat due to a variety of factors, including population growth, urbanization, deforestation, overgrazing, overfishing, and climate change. Deforestation is one of the major threats to the Himalayan ecosystem. The region is home to some of the world's most extensive and intact forests, which provide critical ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, and biodiversity conservation. However, these forests are under threat from logging, clearing for agriculture and infrastructure development, and other forms of land use change. The region is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because of its high altitude and its location at the intersection of several different biotic regions. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are causing changes in the distribution and abundance of plant and animal species, and are also leading to the melting of glaciers, which is affecting water availability and increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. Overgrazing is also a major problem in the Himalayan region, where a large number of people rely on livestock for their livelihoods. However, the increasing number of livestock in the region is putting pressure on the fragile rangelands, leading to overgrazing and the degradation of the ecosystem.
In summary, while biodiversity is not the only driver of ecosystem functioning, the majority of studies and examples show that it is a key driver. A loss of biodiversity can have severe consequences for the health of ecosystems and the provision of ecosystem services. Therefore, the conservation of biodiversity should be a priority, for the preservation of species and habitats and for the maintenance of ecosystem services that are essential for human well-being.