Question

Which of the following is the most stable ecosystem?

(a) mountain

(b) ocean

(c) forest

(d) desert.

Answer 1

An ecosystem is said to be stable when it's structure and function remains constant for a long period of time. Among the given options, most stable ecosystem is ocean. The first reason for its stability is it's chemical composition which includes saline. It's stability is also due to several features that it possesses like light, temperature, dissolved oxygen, etc. Over the year these features remains more or less constant. The structure and function remains unaltered for a long period of time since they are large, continuous and deep. These features leads to only few prominent changes. They also have a ability to withstand small changes which may or may not occur.

Mountain is not considered as the most stable ecosystem because of its fragility. Fragility can be either natural or anthroprogenic which includes seismic, volcanic eruption, flooding which leads to loss of soil as well as vegetation.

Forest is not considered as the most stable ecosystem because trees shed there leaves and thus does not remain constant all the time.

Desert is not considered as the most stable ecosystem because it has low resilience.