Question

In this course we surveyed some of the major kinds of organisms on Earth, all of which contribute to our planet's biodiversity. List and explain THREE ways that biodiversity contributes to the general functioning of ecosystems. Your answer should 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). 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

The vast bio-diversity contributes to general and specific funtioning of the ecosystems. even the smallest member of the biodiversity plays a key role in it. for example, the phytoplanktons, a kind of aquatic flora which captures sunlight and secondary energy sources for photosysnthesis and carbon fixation, residing in the water bodies compose of primary food source for the marine fauna. consumption of phytoplanktons by marine fauna in turns improves physical interaction between air and water and provides better chances of oxygen saturation and photo-decomposition of harmful chemicals/gases released from the waster disposed off in the water.

Similarly, the marine fauna contributes as a major food source for larger aquatic and terrestrial animals, including humans. Consumption of this marine fauna by larger animals and predators contributes to survival of upper stages of ecosystems and prevents over-population in the aquatic systems. also, the energy acquired by predation is utilized for maintenance and sustaining life at higher ecosystem levels.

Thus, in this form, energy is captured at smaller levels of ecosystems by low-level micro-organisms via carbon fixation and transferred to larger animals residing at higher levels of ecosystems via predation/symbiosis/parasitism etc.

If there occurs decrease in bio-diversity at any single point in this chain, a chaotic distrubance would occur at previous and succeeding levels. for example, if somehow, the population of marine fauna decline in the aquatic ecosystem, it would increase the populatio of phytoplanktons which causes overgrowth of microbes on upper surface of water and decreases clarity and potability of underlying water.. Also, the nutritional chaos at immediate upper level of ecosystem, i.e. larger animals and predators would occur. thus, in conclusion, species extinctionand decrease in biodiversity hampers functinality and stability of ecosystems.