Question

Identify the correct description of rivet popper hypothesis.

• A. Increase in the population of species damage the ecosystem
• B. Loss of species damage the ecosystem
• C. Population cannot grow above the carrying capacity of environment
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Loss of species damage the ecosystem

Ecologist Paul Ehrlich compared the rivets with species and aeroplane with the ecosystem. As the removal of rivets from the aeroplane can result in loss of safety and may lead to a crash. Similarly if species are removed out of the ecosystem that will result in damage of the ecosystem. Further, if the rivets that hold together the seats or the windows are removed the loss will be gradual and the damage will be less. However, if the rivets of the wings are removed the damage will be of greater intensity. Similarly, the loss of critical species from the ecosystem will result in a greater negative impact on the ecosystem than any other species.

So, the correct answer is 'Loss of species damage the ecosystem'