How is the ecological stability of the ecosystem affected if one of the species is wiped out?
Answers
Answer: redundant species may to some extent buffer against changes of ecosystem function in the event of species loss. However, organisms classified by us as identical in function have many times been shown to differ enough to be of significant importance for ecosystem functioning. Even if some species are redundant in terms of the function they perform, they often have different environmental optima, thus buffering against ecosystem changes in the event of changed environmental conditions...
Explanation:
Effects of the removal of one species on the ecological stability of an ecosystem
An ecosystem can be considered ecologically stable if it is capable of returning to equanimity (equilibrium) after experiencing a disturbance.
Biodiversity plays a major role in upholding the ecological stability of an ecosystem. All ecosystems are comprised of different groups of species with different functionalities and the effects of the complete removal or extinction of a species from an ecosystem depend on its function and importance in that system.
Those species which are largely responsible for the stability of an ecosystem are commonly known as Keystone species. They have a disproportionately large effect on an ecosystem and their removal may cause drastic changes or complete collapse of an ecosystem, destroying its ecological stability.
Keystone species are classified as follows -
Predators - These are animals like lions and wolves which prevent the herbivore population from eliminating dominant plant species
Mutualists - These species participate in mutually beneficial interactions and are a big asset in upholding ecological stability. For example- flowers produce nectar to attract honey bees which are instrumental in pollination.
Engineers - Species like prairie dogs in North America act as engineers by burrowing underground. These burrows are used by other species for nesting.
It also goes without saying that flora has an equal effect on ecological stability as fauna.
Therefore it is evident that the removal of any keystone species from an ecosystem has drastic effects on its ecological stability and can cause utter devastation.