Question

Sustainability is defined as the ability of an ecosystem to survive over time. How does biodiversity affect the sustainability of an ecosystem?

It introduces fewer new species of organisms.

B
It helps to keep the ecosystem balanced.

C
It allows organisms to avoid competition.

D
It creates a constant state of change.

Answer 1

The answer is B. It helps to keep the ecosystem balanced (I had the same question on my test!)

Hope this helps :)

Answer 2

The correct answer is B. It helps to keep the ecosystem balanced.

Step-by-step explanation:

In ecosystems, biodiversity is defined by the diversity of life forms; this includes the co-existence of multiple species of animals, plants, bacteria, fungi, etc. This diversity supports sustainability; indeed, the higher the biodiversity is the more likely it is an ecosystem to survive over time.

This is because when there is high biodiversity, processes such as food webs, natural cycles or evolution that are necessary for an ecosystem are stable and continue despite changes in the environment. This makes the ecosystem to have a natural balance and preserve over time. In the same way, in an ecosystem with low diversity, these cycles and processes might end due to changes in the environment. According to this, biodiversity affects the sustainability of an ecosystem because "it helps to keep the ecosystem balanced".