Question

5 multiple choice 20 points
construct an explanation predicting how increasing pollution, and a sudden drought might together affect an ecosystems stability and the survival of organisms living there. (dok 3)
the ecosystem will remain functionally unchanged since natural systems always automatically compensate for the loss of a key species and any temporary resource scarcity.
the ecosystem will destabilize; the combination of pollution and drought limits resources and directly harms species lacking specific adaptations, causing the food web to collapse.
the ecosystem will likely improve its overall health because the reduction in population caused by the drought and pollution will lessen competition for remaining food.
the ecosystem will compensate for the water shortage by producing new, drought-resistant plant life that will increase the available water and food for all consumers.

Explanation:

Pollution can harm organisms directly (e.g., through toxic substances), and drought limits water and other resources (like food availability as plants may die). In an ecosystem, species are interconnected in food webs. When resources are limited (by drought) and some species are directly harmed (by pollution), especially if they are key species (e.g., primary producers), it can lead to a chain - reaction. Species that depend on the affected species (either as prey or for other ecological services) will also be impacted. Natural systems do not always automatically compensate (contrary to the first option). A reduction in population due to negative factors (drought and pollution) is not a sign of improved ecosystem health (contrary to the third option). And while some plants may have drought - resistant traits, a sudden drought and increasing pollution together are more likely to cause destabilization rather than the ecosystem quickly compensating by producing new drought - resistant plants in a way that benefits all consumers (contrary to the fourth option).

Answer:

The ecosystem will destabilize; the combination of pollution and drought limits resources and directly harms species lacking specific adaptations, causing the food web to collapse.