A North American grassland is usually more productive when it contains diverse plant communities. How does the biodiversity of a North American grassland affect its sustainability?

Question

A.

The biodiversity allows all plant communities to survive when the ecosystem experiences severe weather.
B.

The biodiversity prevents all plant communities from surviving when the ecosystem experiences a heat wave.
C.

The biodiversity prevents some plant communities from surviving when the ecosystem experiences consistent weather patterns.
D.

The biodiversity allows some plant communities to survive when the ecosystem experiences slightly different weather patterns.

Answer 1

A. The biodiversity allows all plant communities to survive when the ecosystem experiences severe weather.

This option effectively captures the idea that diverse plant communities can provide resilience to an ecosystem. In a biodiverse environment, different plant species may have varying tolerances to stressors such as drought, heat, or flooding, which means that some species may thrive while others may not. This diversity enhances the overall stability and productivity of the grassland, making it more sustainable in the face of environmental changes.