Extinction of a species in a food chain is compensated by

Options

A. Food chain
B. Ecological pyramid
C. Food web
D. None of these

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks how the extinction of a species in a food chain can be compensated. This implies that we need to consider the relationships between species and how they interact within an ecosystem.

2. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Food Chain**: A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms where each is eaten by the next. If one species in this chain goes extinct, it disrupts the chain and affects all organisms that depend on it. For example, if a grasshopper (which is eaten by frogs) goes extinct, frogs will have less food, leading to a decline in their population, which will subsequently affect snakes and eagles. Therefore, the extinction is not compensated in a food chain.

- **Ecological Pyramid**: An ecological pyramid represents the trophic levels in an ecosystem (producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, etc.). While it illustrates the energy flow and biomass distribution, it does not provide a mechanism for compensating species loss. Thus, this option is also incorrect.

- **Food Web**: A food web consists of interconnected food chains, showing how various organisms are linked through feeding relationships. If one species goes extinct, other species can fill that ecological role. For instance, if grasshoppers decline, other herbivores like butterflies or rabbits can help maintain the balance by serving as food for the predators that would normally eat grasshoppers. Therefore, the food web can compensate for the loss of a species.

3. **Conclusion**: Based on the analysis, the correct answer is **Food Web**. It allows for compensation of species loss due to its interconnected nature, which provides alternative food sources for predators.