Water Nuggets Practice Exam

Native plants play a crucial role in ecosystem support primarily because they provide habitat and food for native wildlife. This relationship is foundational in maintaining the balance of local ecosystems. Native plants have co-evolved with local fauna, which means that they often fulfill specific ecological roles such as serving as food sources for insects, birds, and mammals. This, in turn, supports a wider web of life, including pollinators and other animals that depend on these native species for survival.

By fostering biodiversity, native plants contribute to the resilience and stability of ecosystems, enabling them to withstand environmental changes and challenges. Their presence can enhance soil health, water retention, and air quality, embodying a holistic approach to ecosystem management.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately depict the beneficial function of native plants. Non-native species typically do not have the same ecological relationships and may not provide essential resources for local wildlife. Negative impacts on ecosystems, as suggested by the ideas of disruption and competition, are more often associated with invasive species rather than native ones.