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Difficulty: MediumDrawing Conclusions and Making Inferences

Read the following passage about a fire prevention initiative in Galicia, Spain:

In Galicia, a region in northwestern Spain frequently devastated by wildfires, a traditional yet innovative strategy is gaining traction: using native breeds of goats and sheep as natural firebreaks. By grazing on underbrush and dry shrubs, these animals clear the fuel that feeds forest fires, particularly in areas where mechanical clearance is difficult due to steep terrain. A recent study by the University of Santiago de Compostela highlights that plots managed through controlled grazing showed an 85% reduction in fire severity compared to untreated zones. However, local shepherds face challenges. The profession is aging, and the financial returns from wool and meat are insufficient to cover the costs of fencing and predator protection. Critics argue that public subsidies should not be diverted to private livestock owners, but proponents of the initiative maintain that the ecosystem service of fire prevention far outweighs the cost of the subsidies.

Based on the passage, what can be inferred about the future of the grazing initiative in Galicia?

  1. Its long-term viability requires addressing financial and generational barriers for herders, not just proving its ecological benefits.Answer
  2. B
    The study by the University of Santiago de Compostela proved that controlled grazing reduces fire severity by 85%.
  3. C
    The local government will phase out all mechanical clearance methods in favor of sheep and goat grazing.
  4. D
    Public funds are guaranteed to be redirected to support the shepherds because of the clear benefits shown in the study.

Answer

Its long-term viability requires addressing financial and generational barriers for herders, not just proving its ecological benefits.
The correct option is supported by the text's mention of both the positive ecological results of the grazing study and the structural socio-economic challenges (aging herders, insufficient income, and subsidy debates) that must be resolved to sustain the program.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the passage to identify the ecological success of the initiative.
The passage states that controlled grazing leads to an 85% reduction in fire severity.
Understanding the baseline success helps evaluate whether ecological effectiveness alone is sufficient.
2
Identify the limiting factors or challenges described in the text.
The text lists aging shepherds, low financial returns, and debate over public subsidies as primary challenges.
These challenges represent the socio-economic reality of the grazing project.
3
Synthesize the ecological success and the socio-economic challenges to draw a logical conclusion.
Since ecological success alone cannot overcome the herders' financial and generational hurdles, the initiative's future depends on addressing these systemic issues.
Drawing an inference requires connecting the stated facts to their logical implications for the program's future.

Key Concept

Drawing Conclusions and Making Inferences
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Topics

Drawing Conclusions and Making Inferences

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