Which element is crucial for the health of a landscape's ecosystem?

Biodiversity is crucial for the health of a landscape's ecosystem because it refers to the variety of life forms present in an environment, including the diversity of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. A rich biodiversity contributes to ecosystem resilience, allowing it to better withstand environmental changes, diseases, and pests. Diverse ecosystems can offer greater stability and productivity, as different species often fulfill unique roles, such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and soil formation.

Increased biodiversity also enhances ecosystem services, which are vital for human wellbeing, such as clean air and water, food production, and climate regulation. When an ecosystem is biodiverse, it is more adaptable to changes and disruptions, making it more sustainable in the long term.

Other factors, such as chemical fertilizers, invasive species, and single crop planting, can negatively affect biodiversity. While fertilizers might temporarily boost plant growth, they can lead to nutrient runoff and harm water ecosystems. Invasive species typically disrupt native species and can reduce biodiversity by outcompeting them. Single crop planting, or monoculture, decreases ecological variety, making landscapes more susceptible to diseases and pests, thus harming overall ecosystem health.