Question 22.

Option D is the correct answer. The passage mentions that landscape heterogeneity (a mix of farmland, forests, and carnivore habitats ) in rural areas of low-income countries creates more opportunities for human-carnivore encounters.

As Penteriani’s research shows, such landscapes increase the statistical probability of these conflicts because the areas are interspersed with human and carnivore habitats. This aligns with option D.

Option A: This is inconsistent with the passage. The passage states, "The likelihood of human-carnivore conflicts appears to be higher in areas of low-income countries dominated by vast rural landscapes and farmland". Therefore, it is not less prone, rather more prone as per the passage.

Option B:  The passage does not claim that landscape heterogeneity inherently decreases the chances of human-carnivore conflict. Instead, it states that diversity increases the likelihood of encounters rather than reducing it.

Option C: The passage does not state that homogeneous landscapes cause high rates of conflict due to predictability. Instead, it suggests that landscape heterogeneity increases encounters.