A researcher is studying three aquatic ecosystems in South Carolina. The fish species found in each ecosystem are shown below.

Question

Ecosystem A Ecosystem B Ecosystem C
White Bass ✓
Carp ✓ ✓
Bluegill ✓ ✓
Brown Trout ✓ ✓
Flathead Catfish ✓ ✓
Black Crappie ✓
American Shad ✓
Rainbow Trout ✓ ✓
Striped Bass ✓ ✓
Yellow Perch ✓

The researcher determines that all three ecosystems contain roughly the same total number of fish. Which ecosystem would be most stable during the outbreak of a disease that affects fish?
A.
Ecosystem A
B.
Ecosystem B
C.
Ecosystem C
D.
All three ecosystems are equally stable.

Answer 1

D. All three ecosystems are equally stable.

Since all three ecosystems contain roughly the same total number of fish species, they would all be equally stable during an outbreak of a disease that affects fish. Each ecosystem has a diverse range of fish species which can help maintain balance and resilience in the ecosystem.