What role does biodiversity play in ecosystems?

Biodiversity plays a crucial role in enhancing ecosystem resilience and productivity. When an ecosystem has a wide variety of species, it can better withstand environmental stresses such as climate change, disease, and habitat destruction. This variety means that if one species is impacted negatively, others can fill its role, maintaining ecosystem functions and services. Diverse ecosystems are often more productive as they can allocate resources effectively among different species, leading to greater overall biomass and improved nutrient cycling.

For example, in a diverse plant community, different species may utilize varying depths of soil for nutrients, which allows them to coexist and enhance overall productivity. Similarly, having multiple species in different trophic levels helps maintain complex interactions and a stable food web, further contributing to the health and functionality of the ecosystem.

The other options do not accurately reflect the benefits of biodiversity. While competition among species can be complex, greater biodiversity often leads to more efficient resource use rather than decreased competition. Higher biodiversity is associated with lower rates of extinction rather than the contrary. Additionally, biodiversity tends to complicate rather than simplify food webs, as it introduces more interactions and pathways in ecological relationships.