Biology & Ecosystems

Question

Need some help on this question!! Thank you to whoever answers!! Have a great day:)

Which of the following best describes how biodiversity contributes to the sustainability of a grassland ecosystem?

A.) Ensures that each plant species will have enough sunlight to survive.

B.) Ensures that each animal species will have only one food source.

C.) Ensures that no plant or animal species will go extinct.

D.) Ensures that multiple food sources are available to most animal species

Answer 1

Hi Marissa,

So biodiversity is having a good mix of organisms in an ecosystem. If a grassland ecosystem has good diversity, there must be different species of plants, of insects, of grazers, of predators, etc. So which of these answers seems compatible with what good biodiversity provides this ecosystem?

1. There's nothing about biodiversity that ensures enough sunlight. If there's deep shade under the tall grasses, then a little seedling might not get enough light to thrive.
2. Biodiversity is the opposite of this one... if there is very low biodiversity, then food sources are very limited. For example, if there's only one kind of insect, then frogs can only catch that one kind. In a biodiverse setting, there are multiple food sources.
3. Nothing, not even good biodiversity, ensures that nobody goes extinct.
4. This seems the best answer... with lots of different kinds of plants and animals around, multiple food sources are available. Don't like dandelions? Try the plantains. Can't catch dragonflies? Try the butterflies.

Hope that helps.