The stability of ecosystem is maintained by

Options

A. Grazing food chains
B. Parasitic food chains
C. Detritus food chains
D. Food web

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Ecosystem Stability**: The stability of an ecosystem refers to its ability to maintain balance and resist changes despite external pressures. This stability is crucial for the survival of various species and the overall health of the environment.

2. **Identifying Components of an Ecosystem**: An ecosystem consists of various components, including producers (like plants), consumers (like herbivores and carnivores), and decomposers (like fungi and bacteria). Each of these components plays a role in maintaining the ecosystem's balance.

3. **Exploring Food Chains**: A food chain is a linear sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another. For example, in a grazing food chain, plants (producers) are eaten by herbivores (primary consumers), which are then eaten by carnivores (secondary consumers).

4. **Understanding Food Webs**: Unlike a simple food chain, a food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains. It illustrates how different organisms are related through various feeding relationships. This interconnectedness is crucial for ecosystem stability.

5. **Analyzing Different Types of Food Chains**:
- **Grazing Food Chain**: Involves producers and herbivores.
- **Parasitic Food Chain**: Involves parasites that feed on hosts.
- **Detritus Food Chain**: Involves decomposers breaking down dead organic matter.

6. **Conclusion on Ecosystem Stability**: The stability of an ecosystem is maintained not by a single food chain but by the overall network of food chains, known as a food web. This interconnectedness allows for resilience against changes, as the loss of one species can be compensated by others within the web.

7. **Final Answer**: Therefore, the stability of an ecosystem is maintained by a food web.

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