Question

The highest level of the ecological hierarchy is
A. Ecosystem
B. Biosphere
C. Biome
D. Landscape

Answer 1

Biosphere is the sum of all ecosystems. Ecological hierarchy refers to the arrangement of organisms in relation to one another.

Complete step by step answer:
Ecology is the study of organisms and how they interact with the environment and another species present in the same environment. Ecological hierarchy refers to the arrangement of organisms in relation to one another. At the basic level, it comprises individual organisms. At this level, any interaction with other organisms is not considered. As the level of hierarchy goes up there is an establishment of the various complex relationships between different species.
There are 5 levels of the Ecological hierarchy:
1.Individual: It is the lowest level of ecological hierarchy It consists of only individual organisms. Any interaction with other organisms s not considered at this level.
2.Population: It consists of a group of people that belongs to the same species living in a specific area and interacting with one another.
3.Communities: Various populations of different species interact with each other forming communities. This level focuses on relationships between various organisms of different species.
4.Ecosystem: It is the Interaction between all living species and non-living things present in the environment. A community is a part of the ecosystem, not the entire ecosystem.
5.Biosphere: It is the highest level of the ecological hierarchy. It includes all the ecosystems present on the earth. It comprises all organisms and all the other factors that support life.
Biome consists of a specific area that consists of many ecosystems but it is a part of the biosphere. Landscape refers to land. Land does not have a diversity of ecosystems.

Hence the correct answer is option(B)

Note: Biosphere consists of three components namely Lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.
Lithosphere: It is the terrestrial component of the biosphere. It contains all the ecosystems which sustain the land.
Atmosphere: The atmosphere consists of abundant gases. It has important gases that are important for the normal functioning of living organisms.
Hydrosphere: It is the aquatic component of the biosphere. It consists of all aquatic ecosystems.