What is a core benefit of maintaining biodiversity?

Maintaining biodiversity significantly contributes to ecosystem stability and resilience. Biodiverse ecosystems, which contain a variety of species, functions, and genetic diversity, are better equipped to respond to environmental changes, such as climate fluctuations, diseases, and invasive species. This variety ensures that different species can fulfill various ecological roles, supporting nutrient cycling, pollination, and habitat creation.

When biodiversity is present, ecosystems can recover more quickly from disturbances because there are multiple species capable of adapting to changes and filling roles that might be disrupted. This interconnectedness helps maintain the overall health of the ecosystem, ensuring that it can continue to provide essential services—like clean air and water, food resources, and carbon storage—that are vital for life on Earth.

In contrast, the other choices, while they touch on important aspects of biodiversity, do not capture the broad and critical benefits that biodiversity brings to ecosystems in terms of stability and resilience. Efficient agricultural practices and reduced competition can stem from certain biodiversity aspects, and while biodiversity does help manage flood risks indirectly through healthy ecosystems, these benefits are not as widespread or foundational as the overall stability and resilience provided by a diverse array of life forms.