What is the significance of biodiversity in an ecosystem?

What is the significance of biodiversity in an ecosystem?

• A. It limits competition between species.
• B. It enhances resilience and stability by providing a variety of species and ecological functions.
• C. It simplifies food webs.
• D. It is solely dependent on climate change.

Answer: (B)

Biodiversity plays a crucial role in ecosystems as it enhances resilience and stability by providing a variety of species and ecological functions. A diverse range of species contributes to ecosystem productivity, allowing different organisms to utilize various resources and fulfill different ecological roles. This variety ensures that some species can thrive under changing environmental conditions, thereby maintaining the overall health and sustainability of the ecosystem. For example, in a biodiverse ecosystem, if one species is affected by disease or environmental changes, others can still maintain ecosystem functions, such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and food provision. This resilience is vital for the stability of ecosystems, allowing them to recover from disturbances and adapt to changes over time. The other options do not correctly capture the significance of biodiversity. Limiting competition is not a primary function of biodiversity; rather, competition among species can stimulate adaptations and evolutionary change. Additionally, biodiversity does not simplify food webs; it usually complicates them by creating more interactions and relationships among species. Lastly, while climate change does impact biodiversity, it is not the sole factor affecting it, as many elements, including habitat destruction and human activities, also play significant roles.

Biodiversity plays a crucial role in ecosystems as it enhances resilience and stability by providing a variety of species and ecological functions. A diverse range of species contributes to ecosystem productivity, allowing different organisms to utilize various resources and fulfill different ecological roles. This variety ensures that some species can thrive under changing environmental conditions, thereby maintaining the overall health and sustainability of the ecosystem.

For example, in a biodiverse ecosystem, if one species is affected by disease or environmental changes, others can still maintain ecosystem functions, such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and food provision. This resilience is vital for the stability of ecosystems, allowing them to recover from disturbances and adapt to changes over time.

The other options do not correctly capture the significance of biodiversity. Limiting competition is not a primary function of biodiversity; rather, competition among species can stimulate adaptations and evolutionary change. Additionally, biodiversity does not simplify food webs; it usually complicates them by creating more interactions and relationships among species. Lastly, while climate change does impact biodiversity, it is not the sole factor affecting it, as many elements, including habitat destruction and human activities, also play significant roles.