Question

In a study about ecosystems, scientists planted 100 identical plots of land in a natural setting with 1 to 15 different species of native grasses. Over the next 10 years, the scientists recorded the change in biomass in each plot as a measure of stability.

Which of the following relationships between species number and stability was most likely observed during the study?

Choose 1 answer:

A. Plots with a larger number of species were less stable.

B. The number of species in a plot did not have an effect on the plot’s stability.

C. Plots with a larger number of species were more stable.


Answer: C.

Answer 1

As 1 to 15 different native species were grown on the same plot then it is expected that: C. Plots with a larger number of species were more stable.

• Ecosystem is a community of living organisms where living beings interact with their physical environment.
• Greater the biodiversity in an ecosystem at the species level greater will be the stability of the ecosystem. In species with higher genetic diversity will pass on traits to the next generation and if pollinate with other plants of other or same species will also impart the genetic diversity.
• Such species will be capable of withstanding weather disturbances, climate changes, and diseases.
• Here larger number of species in the plot after 10 years is indicative of the fact that gene pool of the species surviving in the plot has greater genetic diversity facilitating survival of all species and there is no competition among different species for resources.

Learn more about ecosystems:

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