Why is biodiversity important for an ecosystem?

Biodiversity is crucial for an ecosystem because it supports ecological stability and resilience. When an ecosystem has a wide variety of species, it can better withstand environmental pressures and changes, such as climate shifts, disease outbreaks, and habitat destruction. This variety allows ecosystems to maintain their functionality and services, such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and water purification.

Higher biodiversity also means that if one species is affected by a specific threat, others can fulfill its ecological role, thus preventing a collapse of the system. For instance, in a diverse ecosystem, if one plant species that a certain herbivore relies on decreases, that herbivore may be able to switch to another plant species, reducing the impact of that loss. This kind of interdependence and adaptability enhances resilience, making ecosystems more robust and capable of recovering after disturbances.

In contrast, options that suggest biodiversity only provides food resources or simplifies interactions overlook the broader ecological functions that biodiversity supports. Similarly, the idea that it leads to fewer species diversity contradicts the very concept of biodiversity, which emphasizes the importance of having a range of species to maintain ecosystem health.