Ecosystem strength and biodiversity are closely linked, but the relationship between them is complex and context-dependent. Generally, ecosystems with higher biodiversity tend to be more resilient, adaptable, and able to provide a wider range of ecosystem services. Biodiversity enhances ecosystem stability by increasing the chances that some species can thrive and fulfill ecological roles even in changing conditions. However, there can be cases where ecosystems with lower biodiversity exhibit a form of strength or resilience, but these are typically exceptions rather than the rule.

The concept of "ecosystems being strongest when biodiversity is lowest" is not a widely accepted principle in ecology.

High biodiversity often contributes to ecosystem health and functioning by:

As for the lowest biodiversity, it's important to note that biodiversity varies across different ecosystems and regions on Earth. One notable example of relatively low biodiversity is found in extreme environments such as polar deserts, high mountain regions, and deep-sea hydrothermal vents. These areas often have harsh conditions, limiting the number of species that can survive.

However, even in these extreme environments, scientists continue to discover unique and specialized species that are adapted to these conditions. Additionally, biodiversity hotspots, which are regions with exceptionally high levels of species diversity, are found in places like tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and certain terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Overall, while there are instances where ecosystems with lower biodiversity can show resilience, it's more common for higher biodiversity to contribute to the overall strength and functioning of ecosystems. Protecting and conserving biodiversity remains a crucial goal for maintaining the health and sustainability of ecosystems and the planet as a whole.

Dr Gaurav H Tandon thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Greater biodiversity in ecosystems, species, and individuals leads to greater stability. As, species with high genetic diversity and many populations that are adapted to a wide variety of conditions are more likely to be able to weather disturbances, disease, and climate change. Loss of biodiversity undermines ecosystems' abilities to function effectively and efficiently and thus undermines nature's ability to support a healthy environment. This is particularly important in a changing climate in which loss of biodiversity reduces nature's resilience to change.Ecosystems with high biodiversity can recover from disturbances better than ecosystems with low biodiversity. This means healthy ecosystems are more likely to continue to support humans even as the earth goes through extreme changes.High biodiversity is advantageous over low biodiversity because ecosystems with high biodiversity are better able to remain at homeostasis and be productive. When biodiversity is high, there is a large number of different species. Biologically diverse communities are also more likely to contain species that confer resilience to that ecosystem because as a community accumulates species, there is a higher chance of any one of them having traits that enable them to adapt to a changing environment. Biodiversity is essential for the processes that support all life on Earth, including humans. Without a wide range of animals, plants and microorganisms, we cannot have healthy ecosystems. Species richness is a measure of the number of different types of species in an ecosystem. A large number of different species in a habitat represents higher species richness, and an overall more diverse ecosystem. Species evenness is a measure of the relative abundance of each species. Ecosystems with higher species diversity tend to be more resilient. If an ecosystem has a diverse community of organisms, they are not all likely to be affected by a disturbance in the same way. Biodiversity is not distributed evenly on Earth; it is usually greater in the tropics as a result of the warm climate and high primary productivity in the region near the equator. Tropical forest ecosystems cover less than 10% of earth's surface and contain about 90% of the world's species. Regions with cold or dry conditions, such as mountaintops and deserts, have even less. Generally, the closer a region is to the Equator, the greater the biodiversity. At least 40,000 different plant species live in the Amazon rainforest of South America, one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet. Species diversity is higher at the equator than at the poles. In biological terms, this is referred to as the latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG), in which the number of species increases from the poles to the Equator. This ranks among the broadest and most notable biodiversity patterns on Earth.