Which of the following statements is incorrect?

Biodiversity is not crucial for the maintenance and health of ecosystems.

The false statement among the given options is:

(d) Biodiversity is not essential for the maintenance and health of ecosystems.

This statement is false. Biodiversity is indeed essential for the maintenance and health of ecosystems. Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms, including different species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as their genetic diversity and the variety of ecosystems they inhabit.

Reasons why biodiversity is essential for the maintenance and health of ecosystems:

1. Stability and Resilience: Species diversity provides stability and resilience to ecosystems. In diverse ecosystems, different species can play unique roles and perform different functions. This redundancy in functions ensures that even if some species are lost or face disturbances, the ecosystem can continue to function and recover.
2. Productivity: Ecosystems with higher biodiversity are generally more productive than those with lower biodiversity. This is because diverse ecosystems have a greater variety of species, each contributing to different ecosystem processes, such as nutrient cycling, pollination, and seed dispersal, which enhance overall productivity.
3. Ecosystem Services: Biodiversity provides a wide range of ecosystem services, including clean air and water, soil fertility, climate regulation, pest control, and food production. These services are essential for human well-being and the functioning of societies.
4. Adaptation and Evolution: Biodiversity allows ecosystems to adapt to changing environmental conditions and provides the genetic pool necessary for species to evolve and survive in the face of environmental challenges, such as climate change.
5. Aesthetic and Cultural Values: Biodiversity contributes to the aesthetic and cultural value of ecosystems. People derive aesthetic pleasure, recreation, and cultural significance from diverse natural landscapes and species.

In conclusion, biodiversity is not only essential for the health and stability of ecosystems but also crucial for human survival and well-being. The loss of biodiversity can have far-reaching consequences, leading to ecological imbalances and negative impacts on human societies. Hence, conserving and protecting biodiversity is vital for the sustainable functioning of ecosystems and the planet as a whole.