Question

How might a wide variety of plants affect an ecosystem's sustainability?

A. The more types of plants there are, the more nutrients will be in the soil, increasing the ecosystem's likelihood of survival.

B. If disease strikes, only some types of plants will be affected, increasing the ecosystem's likelihood of survival.

C. The more types of plants there are, the more competition for resources will take place, decreasing the ecosystem's likelihood of survival.

D. If disease strikes, the plants will all be affected and likely die, decreasing the ecosystem's likelihood of survival.​

Answer 1

A wide variety of plants can enhance an ecosystem's sustainability as A. The more types of plants there are, the more nutrients will be in the soil, increasing the ecosystem's likelihood of survival.

Step-by-step explanation:

A wide variety of plants can affect an ecosystem's sustainability in several ways. Firstly, a diverse range of plant species can increase the availability of nutrients in the soil, as different plants have different nutrient requirements and uptake mechanisms. A diverse array of plants contributes to ecosystem sustainability by enhancing nutrient availability, supporting various organisms, and promoting ecological resilience. This can enhance the ecosystem's likelihood of survival by providing a richer nutrient base for all organisms.

Secondly, a wide variety of plants can also protect the ecosystem from catastrophic events, such as some disease outbreaks. If a particular disease strikes, only some types of plants may be affected, while others can remain healthy and continue to provide ecosystem services. This increases the ecosystem's likelihood of survival.