The variety of plant and animal species used in agriculture, which contributes to ecosystem resilience and food security, is called?

• A. Agricultural biodiversity
• B. Monoculture
• C. Domestication
• D. Agroforestry

Answer: (A)

Agricultural biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal species used in farming, including the different crops, crop varieties, livestock breeds, and the genetic diversity within them. This diversity underpins resilience and food security by supporting a range of ecosystem services: when multiple species and varieties are present, farms can better withstand pests, diseases, and climate variability, and yields tend to be steadier. Different crops and breeds respond differently to stresses, so some will perform well even if others fail; diverse plants also support pollinators, soil health, and nutrient cycling, all of which sustain productivity over time. Monoculture focuses on a single crop, making systems more vulnerable to shocks; domestication is about the historical process of selecting traits in wild species, not the broad concept of diversity; agroforestry is a practice that can enhance biodiversity but isn’t the general term for the variety used in agriculture.