Question

Describe the role of biodiversity in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Answer 1

Biodiversity plays a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by:

1. Providing resilience: A diverse range of species ensures that ecosystems can better withstand environmental changes and disturbances.
2. Supporting ecosystem services: Biodiversity is essential for functions like pollination, nutrient cycling, and water purification, which are critical for ecosystem health.
3. Enhancing productivity: Different species contribute to the overall productivity of ecosystems, such as plant diversity supporting food webs.
4. Promoting stability: Ecosystems with high biodiversity are more stable and less prone to fluctuations or collapse.
5. Contributing to genetic diversity: Biodiversity helps in preserving genetic variation within species, which is important for adaptation to changing conditions. Overall, biodiversity is crucial for the functioning and sustainability of ecosystems.