Question

In this course we surveyed some of the major kinds of organisms on Earth, all of which contribute to our planet's biodiversity. Using examples drawn from the class, describe some of the ways that biodiversity contributes to the general functioning of ecosystems. Your answer might include consideration of some of major kinds of organisms covers in class, and the key roles those organisms play (energy capture and transformation, symbiosis, predation, parasitism, photosynthesis, mutualisms...). Conclude with a brief assessment of the possible negative impact(s) of species extinction (i.e. decreased biodiversity) on ecosystem function and stability.

Answer 1

Evidence from multiple ecosystems suggests that biological diversity plays a significant role to stabilize ecosystem functioning in the face of environmental fluctuation. Variation among species in their response to such type of fluctuation is an essential requirement for the stability of the ecosystem, as is the presence of species that can compensate for the function of species that are lost. While much of the evidence has been observed on the consequences of changes in species diversity on primary production in various natural ecosystems, recent research has also found similar relationships between species diversity and ecosystem productivity in human-managed ecosystems. this shows that biodiversity contributes to the functioning of the ecosystem.

Mutualism is a common type of ecological interaction that contributes to biodiversity. Prominent examples include vascular plants engaged in mutualistic interactions with mycorrhizae, vascular plants being dispersed by animals, flowering plants being pollinated by animals, and corals with zooxanthellae. Mutualism can be contrasted with interspecific competition, in which each species experiences exploitation and reduced fitness. These kinds of interactions needed for ecosystem balance.

Producers capture the energy and support all the other organisms in an ecosystem, producer abundance, biomass (dry weight), and rate of energy capture are key in understanding how energy transformation through an ecosystem and numbers of other organisms it can sustain and maintain biodiversity.

Another category of interactions between organisms is symbiosis,i.e. long-term interaction between different types of organisms. These interactions also contribute to sustaining biodiversity. Predation is another winner-loser relationship in which the predator benefits and the prey is harmed lethally, but predation is a short-term interaction. Predation is required to balance the ecosystem and food chain. In parasitism, the parasite does not usually kill its host but just feeds on it for a long time while it is living.

The rate at which solar energy is captured in sugar molecules during photosynthesis is called Gross primary Productivity. Ecological effects of biodiversity affected by the loss of land cover and biological diversity, causing a rapid loss of biodiversity and extinction of local populations species. The loss of biodiversity affects ecosystem stability and function.