Question

Basic unit of the ecological hierarchy is
A. Population
B. Community
C. Ecosystem
D. Individual

Answer 1

Hint: Ecosystem is the whole of the species of every kind on our planet Earth. There are units which make this large biome possible. The change in the basic unit will affect all the ranking in the hierarchy thereby, effecting the largest ranking. Ecology is the sum of all the different varieties in our surroundings.

Complete answer:
Ecological hierarchy means the ranking of the ecological members. Every species existing in the universe makes the ecology. So the hierarchy places them in order- individual, population, community, ecosystem, biome, biosphere.

> Option A: Population: The individuals make the population at a place which will include the species of one type. They have the same characteristics so make the population of a particular place.

> Option B: Community: Community is the gathering of different populations. Different species populations make the community of an area.

> Option C: Ecosystem: Ecosystem is made up of many communities spread in larger areas. They all have different characteristics but live in the same atmosphere under the common universe.

> Option D: Individual: The basic unit of a population is an individual. Many individuals will make a complete ecosystem. So this forms the basic unit of ecological hierarchy.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: Likely, the basic unit of an individual is a cell in the body, so the individual is like a cell in the biome. A small change in an individual can affect the whole biosphere as a whole. Evolutions happen due to a change in the habits and conditions of a population living at a particular place.