Question

If there is a loss of one plant species in an ecosystem, it could lead to

• A. Elimination of other plant species only
• B. Elimination of nearly thirty other species of microbes, insects and other animals which are dependent on that plant directly or indirectly
• C. Origin of new plant species, insects and other animals
• D. Neither loss of any species nor origin of any species

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Elimination of nearly thirty other species of microbes, insects and other animals which are dependent on that plant directly or indirectly

The food chain is a network in which the different organisms in an ecosystem are linked by the transfer of energy. When there is loss of one plant species in an ecosystem, there is direct as well as indirect effect on the other organisms. The organisms like the microbes, insects and herbivores which directly depend on the plants for food will die. The other animals like the carnivores and scavengers will die due to the reduction in the number of animals which were used as food.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.