# A nature reserve contains a large variety of plant species, insect species, and bird species. A nearby field used for growing a single crop contains very few species. Compare the biodiversity of the nature reserve with that of the crop field, and suggest one reason why low biodiversity in an ecosystem could be harmful to that ecosystem.

> Eduqas GCSE Biology — 6.3 Biodiversity · Compare · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The nature reserve has higher biodiversity than the crop field
2. Because the nature reserve contains a greater variety/number of different species
3. If one species is lost / a disease or pest wipes out the single crop, there are few or no other species to fulfil that role / the ecosystem could collapse
4. Because there is less variety of food sources / interdependence between species is reduced, so organisms cannot easily adapt to change

## Key terms

- [biodiversity](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/biodiversity)
- [species](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/species)
- [ecosystem](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/ecosystem)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Biology](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Compare" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-nature-reserve-contains-a-large-fc2d533b) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.