4. Scientists are concerned about bee species dying off. They are pollinators, and if they are gone, many plant species will die off because they cannot reproduce. This will cause a population crash. What will happen to biodiversity and sustainability as a result? (1 point)

A. Biodiversity will decrease, and sustainability will decrease.

B. Biodiversity will increase, and sustainability will increase.

C. Biodiversity will increase, and sustainability will decrease.

D. Biodiversity will decrease, and sustainability will increase.

I believe that the answer is A but I am not completely sure. I would appreciate it if someone could check it. Thank you!

I agree with A.

Okay, thank you so much!

You are correct, the answer is A. Biodiversity will decrease, and sustainability will decrease.

When bee species die off, it can lead to a decrease in biodiversity because bees play a crucial role in pollination, which is important for the reproduction of many plant species. Without bees, the number and variety of plant species will decline, ultimately reducing biodiversity.

Additionally, the loss of bees and the decline in plant species can have negative impacts on sustainability. Many plants provide ecosystem services, such as food and shelter for other organisms, and their loss can disrupt the balance of ecosystems. This can, in turn, impact the ability of ecosystems to support and sustain various life forms, leading to a decrease in sustainability.

You're on the right track! The correct answer is indeed A. Biodiversity will decrease, and sustainability will decrease.

To understand why, let's break down the options:

A. Biodiversity will decrease, and sustainability will decrease.
This option suggests that both biodiversity and sustainability will be negatively affected. If bee species die off, it will lead to a reduction in biodiversity since bees play a crucial role in pollinating plants. Without bees, many plant species will be unable to reproduce and eventually die off, leading to a decrease in biodiversity. Additionally, the loss of bees as pollinators will disrupt the natural ecosystems and affect food production, which will ultimately lead to a decrease in sustainability.

B. Biodiversity will increase, and sustainability will increase.
This option suggests a positive outcome, but it is not accurate in this context. If bee species die off, it will result in a decrease in biodiversity, not an increase. Furthermore, the loss of bees as pollinators will disrupt ecosystems and impact the sustainability of both natural environments and food production.

C. Biodiversity will increase, and sustainability will decrease.
This option suggests that biodiversity will increase, but sustainability will decrease. While the decrease in sustainability is accurate as explained above, the increase in biodiversity is not correct. The loss of bee species will lead to a decrease in biodiversity because they are vital pollinators that contribute to the reproduction of numerous plant species.

D. Biodiversity will decrease, and sustainability will increase.
This option is the opposite of the correct answer. If bee species die off, it will indeed lead to a decrease in biodiversity, as explained earlier. However, the loss of bees as pollinators and the subsequent disruption to ecosystems and food production will also decrease sustainability.

Therefore, the correct answer is A. Biodiversity will decrease, and sustainability will decrease.