Question

According to the theory of island biogeography, which of the following is not an island ecosystem?

a.
A mountain with thriving vegetation surrounded by an arid desert.
b.
The open ocean.
c.
Grasslands that surround a lake.
d.
A cave within the forests of the Appalachian Mountains in the Eastern United States.

Answer 1

The correct answer is b. The open ocean. The definition of an island ecosystem does not have anything to do with water, but simply refers to an ecosystem that exists as a microcosm within a far larger, separate ecosystem. The ocean has lots of separate island ecosystems within it, but it itself cannot be referred to as one.