Why is biodiversity ESSENTIAL for the long-term survival of life on Earth?
ADiversity slows reproduction
BVariety is purely aesthetic
CBiodiversity has no practical benefit
DA diverse ecosystem is more resilient — different species fill different niches, regulate climate, recycle nutrients, and provide redundancy against shocks; the loss of one species is less catastrophic when many others can fulfil similar roles
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. A diverse ecosystem is more resilient — different species fill different niches, regulate climate, recycle nutrients, and provide redundancy against shocks; the loss of one species is less catastrophic when many others can fulfil similar roles
Biodiversity = ecological insurance. Diverse ecosystems have many species with overlapping functions (pollinators, decomposers, predators, prey), so they are robust against single-species loss. Genetic diversity within species lets populations adapt to changing conditions (disease, climate). Monocultures (low biodiversity) collapse easily — as the Irish Potato Famine and modern crop disease outbreaks have shown.
Related questions
In an ecosystem, organisms can be classified into different groups depending on the CRITERWhy does classifying organisms HELP in agriculture?Microscopic algae in the oceans contribute to life on Earth by:The process of grouping organisms into categories based on shared characteristics is calleThe variety of living organisms — from microscopic algae to giant trees, on land and in oc