IELTS Reading Practice: The Importance of Biodiversity in Ecosystems

The IELTS Reading section often features texts on environmental topics, and one recurring theme is the importance of biodiversity in ecosystems. This subject has appeared in past exams and, given its growing relevance in today’s world, is likely to feature again. As an experienced IELTS instructor, I’ve noticed an increasing trend in questions related to biodiversity and ecosystems. Let’s explore this topic through a practice exercise that mimics the actual IELTS Reading test format.

Reading Passage

The Vital Role of Biodiversity in Ecosystems

Biodiversity, the variety of life forms within a given ecosystem, is crucial for maintaining the health and stability of our planet’s environments. From the tiniest microorganisms to the largest mammals, each species plays a unique role in the intricate web of life. The importance of biodiversity extends far beyond mere numbers of species; it encompasses genetic diversity within species and the variety of ecosystems they inhabit.

One of the primary reasons biodiversity is essential is its role in ecosystem resilience. Ecosystems with high biodiversity are better equipped to withstand environmental stresses and recover from disturbances. For instance, in a diverse forest, if one tree species succumbs to a disease, others can fill its ecological niche, maintaining the forest’s overall health. This redundancy acts as a natural insurance policy against environmental changes.

Biodiversity also plays a critical role in ecosystem services – the benefits that nature provides to humans. These services include air and water purification, climate regulation, pollination of crops, and soil formation. For example, diverse plant communities in wetlands filter water more effectively than less diverse systems. Similarly, a variety of pollinators ensures the reproduction of both wild plants and agricultural crops, directly impacting food security.

The interconnectedness of species within an ecosystem is another crucial aspect of biodiversity. Each species, no matter how small, can have far-reaching effects on others. The loss of a single species can trigger a cascade of extinctions, disrupting the entire ecosystem. This phenomenon is particularly evident in keystone species, which have a disproportionate impact on their environment relative to their abundance.

Furthermore, biodiversity is a valuable resource for scientific and medical research. Many of our medicines are derived from natural compounds found in plants, animals, and microorganisms. The loss of biodiversity could mean the loss of potential cures for diseases. Additionally, studying diverse ecosystems provides insights into evolutionary processes and ecological principles, enhancing our understanding of life on Earth.

However, human activities are causing an unprecedented loss of biodiversity. Habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation of resources are major threats. The current rate of species extinction is estimated to be 100 to 1,000 times higher than the natural background rate. This loss not only affects the intrinsic value of nature but also has profound implications for human well-being and economic stability.

Conservation efforts are crucial in maintaining biodiversity. These include protecting habitats, restoring degraded ecosystems, and implementing sustainable resource management practices. International agreements, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, aim to coordinate global efforts to conserve biodiversity. However, effective conservation requires action at all levels, from individual choices to government policies.

In conclusion, the importance of biodiversity in ecosystems cannot be overstated. It is the foundation of ecosystem stability, provides essential services to humanity, and holds the key to future scientific discoveries. Preserving biodiversity is not just an environmental issue; it is fundamental to our survival and the health of our planet.

Biodiversity in ecosystem

Questions

True/False/Not Given

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage? Write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. Biodiversity includes only the number of different species in an ecosystem.
2. Ecosystems with high biodiversity are more resilient to environmental stresses.
3. The loss of biodiversity has no impact on medical research.
4. Human activities are the primary cause of current biodiversity loss.
5. All countries have signed the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

6. According to the passage, ecosystem services include:
   A) Only air and water purification
   B) Climate regulation and soil formation
   C) Just pollination of crops
   D) All of the above

7. The term ‘keystone species’ refers to species that:
   A) Are the most numerous in an ecosystem
   B) Have a disproportionate impact on their environment
   C) Are always the largest animals in an ecosystem
   D) Are immune to environmental changes

Matching Information

Match the following statements (8-10) with the correct paragraph (A-G).

8. The current rate of species extinction compared to the natural rate
9. The role of biodiversity in ecosystem resilience
10. The importance of biodiversity for scientific research

Summary Completion

Complete the summary below using words from the box.

medicine	stability	services	genetic	cascade
crucial	research	human	diverse	keystone

Biodiversity is (11) for maintaining ecosystem (12) . It provides essential ecosystem (13) such as air and water purification. The loss of a single species can trigger a (14) of extinctions, especially if it’s a (15) species. Biodiversity is also important for scientific (16) and the development of new (17) ___.

Answer Key

1. FALSE
2. TRUE
3. FALSE
4. TRUE
5. NOT GIVEN
6. D
7. B
8. F
9. B
10. E
11. crucial
12. stability
13. services
14. cascade
15. keystone
16. research
17. medicine

Explanations

1. FALSE: The passage states that biodiversity “encompasses genetic diversity within species and the variety of ecosystems they inhabit,” not just the number of species.

2. TRUE: The passage explicitly states, “Ecosystems with high biodiversity are better equipped to withstand environmental stresses and recover from disturbances.”

3. FALSE: The passage mentions that biodiversity is “a valuable resource for scientific and medical research” and that loss of biodiversity could mean “the loss of potential cures for diseases.”

4. TRUE: The passage states, “However, human activities are causing an unprecedented loss of biodiversity.”

5. NOT GIVEN: While the Convention on Biological Diversity is mentioned, the passage doesn’t specify whether all countries have signed it.

6. D: The passage lists all these as ecosystem services: “air and water purification, climate regulation, pollination of crops, and soil formation.”

7. B: The passage defines keystone species as those “which have a disproportionate impact on their environment relative to their abundance.”

8. F: This information is found in the sixth paragraph, which states, “The current rate of species extinction is estimated to be 100 to 1,000 times higher than the natural background rate.”

9. B: The second paragraph discusses how ecosystems with high biodiversity are more resilient to environmental stresses.

10. E: The fifth paragraph discusses the importance of biodiversity for scientific and medical research.

11-17: The summary completion answers are based on key concepts discussed throughout the passage, using the exact words provided in the box to fill in the blanks in a way that accurately summarizes the main ideas of the text.

Common Mistakes

1. Misinterpreting ‘Not Given’: Remember, ‘Not Given’ doesn’t mean the statement is false; it means there’s insufficient information to determine its truth or falsity.

2. Overlooking key phrases: Pay attention to modifiers like “only,” “all,” or “always” in statements, as they can change the meaning significantly.

3. Relying on prior knowledge: Base your answers solely on the information provided in the passage, not on external knowledge.

4. Rushing through the text: Take time to understand the context and relationships between ideas, especially for matching and summary completion tasks.

5. Ignoring synonyms: Remember that the passage may use synonyms or paraphrases of the words in the questions or answer choices.

Vocabulary

• Biodiversity (noun) /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/: The variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat.
• Ecosystem (noun) /ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm/: A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
• Resilience (noun) /rɪˈzɪliəns/: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
• Niche (noun) /niːʃ/: The position or role of an organism within its environment and community.
• Keystone species (noun phrase) /ˈkiːstəʊn ˈspiːʃiːz/: A species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend.
• Cascade (noun) /kæˈskeɪd/: A process whereby something, typically information or knowledge, is successively passed on.

Grammar Focus

Pay attention to the use of conditional sentences in scientific writing. For example:

“If one tree species succumbs to a disease, others can fill its ecological niche.”

This is an example of a first conditional sentence, used to describe a real and possible situation in the present or future. The structure is:

If + present simple, will/can/may + infinitive

Practice forming similar sentences related to environmental topics to enhance your writing skills for the IELTS test.

Tips for IELTS Reading Success

1. Time management is crucial. Allocate your time wisely among the three passages.

2. Skim the questions before reading the passage to know what information to look for.

3. Practice active reading by underlining key information and making brief notes.

4. For True/False/Not Given questions, look for specific evidence in the text to support your answer.

5. In Multiple Choice questions, eliminate obviously incorrect options to increase your chances of selecting the correct answer.

6. For Matching Information tasks, use paragraph headings and topic sentences to quickly locate relevant information.

7. In Summary Completion exercises, read the entire summary first to understand the context before filling in the blanks.

8. Regularly practice with timed exercises to improve your speed and accuracy.

9. Expand your vocabulary, especially in topics related to science, environment, and social issues, as these are common in IELTS Reading tests.

10. After completing practice tests, always review your mistakes and understand why you got them wrong. This reflective practice is key to improvement.

Remember, consistent practice and familiarity with various question types are key to achieving a high score in IELTS Reading. Good luck with your preparation!

For more practice on related topics, you might find these articles helpful:

• Challenges of Maintaining Biodiversity in Urban Areas
• Effects of Climate Change on Polar Ecosystems
• What are the Impacts of Deforestation on Biodiversity?

These resources will provide additional context and vocabulary related to biodiversity and ecosystems, further enhancing your preparation for the IELTS Reading test.