A North American grassland is usually more productive when it contains diverse plant communities. How does the biodiversity of a North American grassland affect its sustainability?
A) The biodiversity allows all plant communities to survive when the ecosystem experiences severe weather.
B) The biodiversity prevents all plant communities from surviving when the ecosystem experiences a heat wave.
C) The biodiversity prevents some plant communities from surviving when the ecosystem experiences consistent weather patterns.
D) The biodiversity allows some plant communities to survive when the ecosystem experiences slightly different weather patterns.
A) The biodiversity allows all plant communities to survive when the ecosystem experiences severe weather.
Having a diverse range of plant species in a North American grassland increases its resilience and ability to withstand and recover from extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, or severe storms. Different plant species have varying abilities to tolerate different conditions, so having a diverse range of plant communities increases the likelihood that at least some species will be able to survive and maintain the ecosystem's functionality in the face of environmental challenges. This ultimately contributes to the sustainability of the grassland ecosystem.