Question

A community with many individuals but few different species exhibits a. low abundance and high species complexity. b. high stability. c. low species richness and high abundance. d. high species diversity. e. high abundance and high species richness.

Short answer

c. low species richness and high abundance.

Step-by-step solution

Interpretation of given options

Analyse each option a through e in context with the described community having many individuals but few species.

Matching criteria with each option

Option a says low abundance and high species complexity, but the problem mentions 'many individuals' which means high abundance. Option b, high stability, is not directly related to abundance or diversity. Option d, high species diversity, is incorrect because a few species means low diversity. Finally, option e, high abundance and high species richness, is incorrect due to low species number.

Choosing the correct option

By process of elimination, option c 'low species richness and high abundance' accurately describes the community.

Key concepts

Community Stability

The concept of community stability in ecology refers to the ability of a community to maintain its structure and function over time despite facing external stressors such as climate change, natural disasters, or human activities. The stability of an ecological community is often connected to its species diversity, as more diverse communities can be more resilient to disturbances. In other words, when a community has a wide range of species, it can rely on the different roles each species plays to maintain ecological processes even when some species are affected by changes.

However, high stability is not solely dependent on species diversity. For instance, a community with high ecological abundance (many individuals) but low species richness (few species) could temporarily claim stability due to the sheer quantity of individuals that can occupy ecological positions and continue community functions until the loss of a species disrupts this balance. This balance is delicate, and such a system may not respond well to long-term environmental change.

Species Diversity

Species diversity is a measure that combines species richness—the number of different species present—and species evenness—the distribution of individuals among those species. Higher diversity implies not just a larger number of species, but also a more balanced ecosystem where no single species dominates. Thus, species diversity influences many aspects of community stability, such as productivity, resilience, and resistance to invasion by non-native species.

Understanding species diversity is crucial in conservation efforts because it has implications for how ecosystems function and how they respond to environmental shifts. While a community may have high abundance (a large number of individuals), its species diversity may be low if only a few different species are present. This low diversity can make the community more susceptible to diseases and changes that could affect the dominant species.

Ecological Abundance

Ecological abundance refers to the number of individuals of a particular species within a given community or ecosystem. It is possible for a community to have high ecological abundance, meaning many individual organisms are present, but still have low species richness, with those individuals representing only a few species.

This high abundance can be advantageous for the community by providing redundancy: multiple individuals can perform the same ecological roles, ensuring that functions are maintained even if some individuals die or are affected by predation or disease. However, relying too heavily on abundance without a corresponding richness in species can leave a community vulnerable if a threat targets the prevalent species, illustrating the importance of both abundance and diversity for the long-term stability and health of an ecosystem.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity encapsulates the variety of life found on Earth, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity. It's a broad concept that reflects the number, abundance, and variability of different organisms within a given area. High biodiversity generally indicates a healthy ecosystem with a complex structure and multiple interactions between species. Ecosystems with high biodiversity tend to be more stable, resilient, and productive.

The value of biodiversity is immense—it supports ecosystem services vital for human survival, like water filtration, oxygen production, and climate regulation. The conservation of biodiversity is thus crucial, not only for ecological reasons but for maintaining the well-being and existence of human societies. In summary, fostering biodiversity is fundamental for achieving community stability, maintaining ecological abundance, and ensuring the prosperous continuation of life on our planet.