Ecological consequences of species decline
Question
Due to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence/consequences?
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1.
Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected.
- 2.
There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants.
- 3.
It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders and birds.
Options
1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Butterflies are significant pollinators; a decline in their population would adversely affect pollination of many plants. Statement 3 is correct: Wasps, spiders, and birds that feed on butterflies would experience a population decline due to loss of food source. Statement 2 is incorrect: There is no direct causal link between butterfly population decline and increased fungal infections in plants. Fungal infections depend on fungal spore dispersal, humidity, and plant immunity, not butterfly abundance. > KEY INSIGHT: Butterfly decline affects pollination services (mutualism) and predator-prey food chains, but not fungal disease dynamics. Answer: (c).
Question details
Year
2017
Paper
GS Paper 1
Question
Q21
Subject
Environment
Sub-topic
Biodiversity and ecosystem services
Type
Statement-based
Difficulty
Medium
Nature
Static
Source hint
NCERT Biology, Ecology Chapter
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