According to Rivel popper hypothesis, rivets on the wings represent

Options

A. species with larger body size
B. key species
C. species that drive major ecosystem function
D. both (2) & (3)

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Rivet Popper Hypothesis**: The Rivet Popper Hypothesis is a metaphor used to explain the importance of biodiversity in ecosystems. It compares the species in an ecosystem to rivets in an airplane. Just as an airplane needs all its rivets to function properly, an ecosystem relies on all its species to maintain its stability and functionality.

2. **Identifying the Role of Rivets**: In the context of the hypothesis, rivets represent different species within an ecosystem. Each species plays a unique role, contributing to the overall health and stability of the ecosystem. If one species (or rivet) is removed, it can lead to a breakdown in the ecosystem's structure and function.

3. **Connecting to Ecosystem Processes**: The hypothesis emphasizes that the richness of species (biodiversity) is crucial for the processes that sustain the ecosystem. Just like an airplane cannot fly if it is missing rivets, an ecosystem cannot function optimally if it loses species.

4. **Evaluating the Options**: The question provides several options regarding what the rivets represent:
- A) Species with large body size
- B) Key species
- C) Species that drive major ecosystem functions

From the explanation of the hypothesis, we can deduce that:
- **Key species** (B) are crucial for the ecosystem's stability and are often linked to various food webs and chains.
- **Species that drive major ecosystem functions** (C) are also essential as they contribute significantly to the ecosystem's processes.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, according to the Rivet Popper Hypothesis, the rivets on the wings represent key species and species that drive major ecosystem functions. Removing these species can lead to the collapse of the ecosystem, similar to how an airplane would fail to fly without its rivets.

### Final Answer:
According to the Rivet Popper Hypothesis, rivets on the wings represent key species and species that drive major ecosystem functions.

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