Question

Identify the correct description of the rivet popper hypothesis?
A. Increase in number of species damage the ecosystem
B. Loss of species damage the ecosystem
C. Population cannot grow above the carrying capacity of environment
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Rivet is a permanent mechanical fastener also used in aeroplanes. Paul Ehrlich proposed the rivet popper hypothesis. He took examples of rivets and aeroplanes to understand the importance of role-playing by every species in the ecosystem.

Complete answer:
Let's assume every species in an ecosystem is a rivet and an ecosystem is an aeroplane. In aeroplane body, many rivets are present. If one passenger in the aeroplane pulls out one rivet and takes that rivet to its home, the loss of one rivet does not affect the aeroplane but think what happens if every passenger in-flight pulls out one rivet and takes that rivet to its home. When rivets disappear from an aeroplane in a big number, then the aeroplane becomes weak. Every species in the ecosystem works like a rivet, the loss of one species affects the whole ecosystem.
Rivet aeroplane hypothesis states that loss of species damages the ecosystem.
Hence the correct option is (B).

Note: Species redundancy hypothesis is contradictory to the rivet popper hypothesis. Brain Walker proposed the species redundancy. According to species redundancy theory, each passenger plays little role in the safe or successful landing of a plane. He compares passengers to different species and airplanes to ecosystems. This hypothesis states that there is a specific species that is important for a healthy ecosystem. Keystone species is the term used for dominant species. Keystone species are identified by their abundant presence or more biomass in general. Mostly the species having greater numbers is a dominating species.