Correct Option: B. Habitat restoration Detailed Explanation Why Habitat Restoration is the Correct Answer:

1. Definition of Habitat Restoration: Habitat restoration involves the process of returning a degraded or destroyed ecosystem to a stable, healthy state. This can include replanting native vegetation, removing invasive species, and rehabilitating soil and water quality.
2. Importance of Biodiversity: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem. It is crucial for ecosystem resilience, productivity, and the provision of ecosystem services (like clean air, water, and pollination). Maintaining biodiversity helps ecosystems withstand environmental changes and recover from disturbances.
3. How Habitat Restoration Maintains Biodiversity:
4. Reestablishing Native Species: Restoration efforts often focus on reintroducing native species that are adapted to the local environment. This helps to create a balanced ecosystem where species can thrive together.
5. Improving Ecosystem Function: Healthy ecosystems provide essential services such as nutrient cycling, water filtration, and habitat for wildlife. By restoring habitats, we enhance these functions, which supports a wider range of species.
6. Creating Connectivity: Restoration can also involve creating corridors between fragmented habitats, allowing species to migrate, find mates, and access resources, which is vital for maintaining genetic diversity.

Why the Other Options are Incorrect or Weaker: A. Monoculture Farming: - Definition: Monoculture farming is the agricultural practice of growing a single crop species over a wide area for many consecutive years. - Impact on Biodiversity: This practice reduces biodiversity significantly because it eliminates the variety of plants and animals that would normally coexist in a diverse ecosystem. It can lead to soil degradation, increased vulnerability to pests and diseases, and a loss of ecosystem resilience. C. Introduction of Invasive Species: - Definition: Invasive species are non-native organisms that, when introduced to a new environment, can outcompete native species for resources. - Impact on Biodiversity: Introducing invasive species typically harms biodiversity. They can disrupt local ecosystems, outcompete native species, and lead to declines or extinctions of native populations. This practice is counterproductive to biodiversity conservation. D. Urban Development Expansion: - Definition: Urban development expansion refers to the growth of cities and towns into previously undeveloped areas. - Impact on Biodiversity: Urban development often leads to habitat destruction, fragmentation, and pollution, which severely impacts local wildlife and plant species. It typically reduces biodiversity rather than maintaining it. Summary of Key Points:

• Habitat restoration is the most effective practice for maintaining biodiversity as it focuses on rehabilitating ecosystems and reintroducing native species.
• Monoculture farming reduces biodiversity by promoting a single crop and eliminating diverse ecosystems.
• Invasive species disrupt local ecosystems and threaten native species, leading to biodiversity loss.
• Urban development often results in habitat destruction and fragmentation, further harming biodiversity.

By focusing on habitat restoration, we can effectively support and enhance biodiversity, ensuring healthier ecosystems for the future.