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Question #46058
The Question
A large contiguous tropical rainforest is divided into small, isolated patches due to agricultural expansion. Within these patches, a specific species of pollinator wasp goes extinct, subsequently causing the extinction of its obligate mutualist fig tree. This further leads to the starvation and decline of a specialized frugivorous bird population. Regarding this ecological event, which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
Options
- A.
The initial division of the forest represents habitat fragmentation, which is the most important driver of the 'Evil Quartet' causing biodiversity loss.
- B.
The extinction of the fig tree following the wasp's disappearance is a classic example of 'Co-extinction', demonstrating how obligate mutualisms can accelerate biodiversity loss.
- C.
The standing crop of the specialized frugivorous birds will remain unaffected as long as the total Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) of the remaining forest patches remains constant.
- D.
The loss of the obligate pollinator acts as a limiting factor in energy transfer, triggering a trophic cascade failure that collapses the biomass at higher trophic levels.
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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
Mutualism|Trophic Web|Obligate Relationships
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Conflating 'Total Ecosystem Productivity' (GPP) with 'Niche-Specific Energy Flow'.
Students often assume that high overall plant biomass buffers all primary consumers.
However, in obligate mutualistic networks, the loss of a specific biological catalyst (pollinator) severs the exact energy pathway required by specialized higher trophic levels, causing their standing crop to collapse despite theoretical biomass availability.
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 |