Question

Which of the following is a biotic component that would help determine the health of an ecosystem? diagram of an ecosystem with the left side depicting a healthy ecosystem that contains a fisherman, swimmer, fish, and aquatic vegetation releasing oxygen into the water. the right side of the diagram depicts an unhealthy ecosystem that shows runoff from a farm leading into the water with large amounts of nitrogen and phosphate introduced into the body of water, fish and aquatic vegetation are not part of this ecosystem. © 2016 noaa pollution rate sediment levels species abundance water quality

Answer 1

The biotic component that would help determine the health of an ecosystem is C. species abundance.

Step-by-step explanation:

Species abundance refers to the number of individuals of a particular species in a given area or ecosystem. Species abundance is an important indicator of ecosystem health because it reflects the balance and diversity of different species within the ecosystem. In a healthy ecosystem, there is usually a high species abundance, with a wide variety of different species interacting and coexisting. On the other hand, in an unhealthy ecosystem, species abundance may be low, indicating a decrease in biodiversity and potential ecosystem instability.

For example, if a particular species is experiencing a decline in abundance, it could be an indication of an underlying problem in the ecosystem, such as pollution, habitat loss, or the introduction of invasive species. Monitoring species abundance can help scientists and ecologists identify and address these problems to maintain the health and balance of the ecosystem. The correct answer is C. species abundance.