Which of the following will most likely occur from the modification of natural ecosytems by humans?
A.
increased biodiversity
B.
increased stability in the ecosystem
C.
decreased carbon dioxide emissions
D.
decreased biodiversity
D. decreased biodiversity
The most likely occurrence from the modification of natural ecosystems by humans is D. decreased biodiversity.
Human activities such as urbanization, deforestation, and pollution can disrupt the balance of ecosystems and lead to the decline or loss of many species. This reduction in biodiversity can have significant negative impacts on the overall health and functioning of ecosystems.
To determine the most likely occurrence from the modification of natural ecosystems by humans, we need to understand the potential impacts of human activities on the environment. Here's how you can analyze and arrive at the answer:
1. Increased biodiversity: Modifying natural ecosystems often leads to habitat destruction, fragmentation, and degradation. These activities can disrupt the delicate balance of ecosystems and cause a loss of biodiversity. Human activities like deforestation, urbanization, and pollution are known to reduce the number of species in an ecosystem. Therefore, option A, increased biodiversity, is unlikely to occur.
2. Increased stability in the ecosystem: Although some modifications by humans may contribute to ecosystem stability, such as restoration projects or conservation efforts, large-scale human activities like land conversion, pollution, and invasive species introduction generally disrupt ecosystems' stability. These disturbances can result in imbalances within the ecosystem, leading to decreased stability. Therefore, option B, increased stability in the ecosystem, is less likely to occur.
3. Decreased carbon dioxide emissions: Modifying natural ecosystems often involves activities like deforestation and land conversion, which release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Therefore, it's unlikely that modifying natural ecosystems by humans would result in decreased carbon dioxide emissions. Option C is less likely to occur.
4. Decreased biodiversity: As mentioned earlier, human activities like habitat destruction, pollution, and disruption to ecosystems typically lead to a decrease in biodiversity. Therefore, option D, decreased biodiversity, is the most likely occurrence from the modification of natural ecosystems by humans.
Based on this analysis, the most probable answer is option D, decreased biodiversity.