Which hypothesis best describes the idea that a small...

Which hypothesis best describes the idea that a small decline in species richness results in a large drop in ecosystem function?
a. Diversity-stability hypothesis
b. Redundancy hypothesis
c. Keystone hypothesis
d. Idiosyncratic hypothesis
e. Community hypothesis

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Key Concepts

Species Richness

Species richness refers to the number of different species present in an ecosystem. It is a fundamental aspect of biodiversity and, in certain contexts, even a slight decrease in species richness—especially when key species are lost—can severely affect the ecosystem's functionality.

Ecosystem Function

This term covers the biological, geochemical, and physical processes that take place within an ecosystem, such as nutrient cycling, energy flow, and primary productivity. The integrity of these functions is essential for the sustainability and resilience of the ecosystem.

Keystone Species Concept

This concept posits that certain species have a disproportionately large effect on their ecosystem relative to their abundance. Their unique roles in maintaining ecosystem structure and function mean that even a small loss in such species can lead to a significant decline in overall ecosystem performance.

Biodiversity-Ecosystem Function Relationship

This is the study of how the variety and variability of organisms in an ecosystem (biodiversity) influence the processes and services (ecosystem functions) that support the ecosystem. It encompasses ideas like the possibility that minor declines in biodiversity may lead to substantial impacts on these functions.

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