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Question #46055
The Question
Ecologists are studying two distinct forest ecosystems. Forest X has exceptionally high species richness, but its plant-pollinator networks are characterized by strict, obligate, one-to-one mutualisms (e.g., specific fig-wasp interactions). Forest Y has moderate species richness, but its pollinators are generalists visiting multiple plant species. If a novel viral disease eradicates one major pollinator species in both forests, which of the following represents the most scientifically accurate prediction regarding ecosystem stability?
Options
- A.
Forest X will demonstrate higher resilience due to its greater initial species richness, compensating for the loss through alternative pathways.
- B.
Forest Y will experience a more severe cascade of co-extinctions because its lower species richness violates David Tilman's diversity-stability hypothesis.
- C.
Forest X will suffer a disproportionately higher rate of co-extinction, demonstrating that highly specialized interaction networks can compromise stability despite high species richness.
- D.
Both forests will experience identical rates of biodiversity loss because the extinction of a keystone species always triggers a uniform ecological collapse regardless of niche breadth.
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Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Regulatory_Failure
Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.
Concepts Behind This Question
Hydrarch vs Xerarch Convergence|Productivity|Resilience
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often blindly apply the heuristic 'High Diversity = High Stability' (Tilman's rule) without considering the nature of the ecological interactions.
The trap is assuming that high species richness automatically provides functional redundancy.
In strict obligate mutualisms (co-evolved specialists), redundancy is zero, making the system highly susceptible to co-extinction cascades.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biodiversity and Conservation - Class 12 |
| Concept | Diversity-Stability Relationship |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |