Question

What will happen if key species that drive major ecosystem functions are lost?

(a) No threat to the ecosystem

(b) Serious threat to the safety of the ecosystem

(c) Little threat to the ecosystem

(d) Ecosystem remains unchanged

The question was posed to me in an interview for job.

The origin of the question is Importance of Species Diversity to the Ecosystem topic in division Biodiversity and Conservation of Biology – Class 12

Answer 1

Correct option is (b) Serious threat to the safety of the ecosystem

The explanation is: An ecosystem consists of biotic and abiotic components that interact within a system. The components are linked together with various nutrient cycles and energy flows. The ecosystem might become unsafe and will collapse if the key species that drive major ecosystem functions are lost.