Question

which of the following is one of the main rules of population ecology? all plants can be safely eliminated from an ecosystem. species can go extinct in ecosystems without causing any impact. food and territory are often balanced by natural phenomena. communities can always carry an unlimited number of organisms.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option based on population ecology principles:

• "All plants can be safely eliminated from an ecosystem": Incorrect. Plants are primary producers and essential for ecosystems, so eliminating all would disrupt it.
• "Species can go extinct in ecosystems without causing any impact": Incorrect. Species extinctions affect food webs and ecosystem balance.
• "Food and territory are often balanced by natural phenomena": Correct. Natural processes like predation, resource availability, and competition regulate food and territory, maintaining ecosystem balance.
• "Communities can always carry an unlimited number of organisms": Incorrect. Ecosystems have carrying capacities limited by resources, so populations can't grow infinitely.

Answer:

Food and territory are often balanced by natural phenomena.