What role does biodiversity play in sustainability?

Biodiversity plays a crucial role in sustainability because it contributes significantly to the health and resilience of ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems provide a variety of services that are essential for maintaining the balance of nature and human life. These services include clean air and water, pollination of crops, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation, all of which are vital for sustaining human populations and the environment.

When biodiversity is high, ecosystems can better withstand and recover from disturbances such as natural disasters, climate change, or human activities. This resilience ensures that ecosystems can continue functioning effectively, providing the resources and services that both natural and human systems rely on. In contrast, ecosystems with low biodiversity may struggle to adapt to changes, leading to reduced productivity and increased vulnerability to environmental stressors.

The other options focus on aspects that are either too narrow or misrepresent the fundamental role of biodiversity. While individual financial success, urban development, and technological advancement are important, they do not capture the broader implications of biodiversity in ensuring sustainable ecosystems that support life on Earth.