Question
The ecosystem is the lowest level of the biosphere hierarchy to include __ a. the animal species present b. weather patterns and soil conditions c. interactions between different species d. the plant species present Please select the best answer from the choices provided A B C D
Answer
4.4
(192 Votes)
Cadi
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
B. weather patterns and soil conditions
Explanation
To address this question, we need to understand the hierarchy of ecological organization and the components included at each level. The ecosystem is a level of organization that includes both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors. This means it encompasses not only the species present (both animal and plant species) but also the environmental conditions and interactions that occur within it. - Option A (the animal species present) and Option D (the plant species present) are both biotic factors and are part of an ecosystem, but they do not represent the lowest level to include abiotic factors.- Option B (weather patterns and soil conditions) represents abiotic factors, which are indeed part of an ecosystem.- Option C (interactions between different species) includes both biotic interactions and can also imply the influence of abiotic factors.Since the ecosystem is the level where we first see a significant integration of biotic and abiotic components, including weather patterns, soil conditions, and interactions between different species, the best answer that encompasses all these aspects is Option B.