Which of the following best explains how changes in land use, such as deforestation or urbanization, can impact an ecosystem?

• A. They can alter habitat availability, disrupt food webs, and decrease biodiversity.
• B. They always increase the number of native species in the area.
• C. They have no effect on nutrient cycling within the ecosystem.
• D. They only affect abiotic factors and not living organisms.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the key terms in the question: 'land use changes,' 'deforestation,' 'urbanization,' 'ecosystem,' 'habitat availability,' 'food webs,' 'biodiversity,' 'native species,' 'nutrient cycling,' and 'abiotic factors.' These terms are essential to understanding the ecological impacts of human activities.
2. Recall that deforestation and urbanization are examples of human-induced changes to the environment. Deforestation involves the removal of trees, while urbanization refers to the development of land for cities and infrastructure. Both activities can significantly alter ecosystems.
3. Consider how these changes affect habitat availability. For example, deforestation removes trees that serve as habitats for many species, while urbanization replaces natural landscapes with buildings and roads, reducing the space available for wildlife.
4. Think about the impact on food webs. When habitats are destroyed, species that depend on those habitats may decline or disappear, disrupting the balance of predator-prey relationships and other interactions within the ecosystem.
5. Evaluate the effects on biodiversity and nutrient cycling. Deforestation and urbanization often lead to a decrease in biodiversity by reducing the variety of species in an area. Additionally, these activities can disrupt nutrient cycling by altering soil composition and water flow, which are critical for ecosystem health.