Based on the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, a community's species diversity is increased by a. frequent massive disturbance. b. stable conditions with no disturbance. c. moderate levels of disturbance. d. human intervention to eliminate disturbance.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis. This hypothesis suggests that local species diversity is maximized when ecological disturbance is neither too rare nor too frequent. In other words, a moderate level of disturbance can increase a community's species diversity.
2. Step 2: Evaluate each of the given options in the context of the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis.
3. Step 3: Option a suggests frequent massive disturbance. This is not in line with the hypothesis, which suggests that too much disturbance can be detrimental to species diversity.
4. Step 4: Option b suggests stable conditions with no disturbance. This is also not in line with the hypothesis, which suggests that some disturbance is necessary for maximizing species diversity.
5. Step 5: Option d suggests human intervention to eliminate disturbance. This is not in line with the hypothesis, which suggests that some level of disturbance is beneficial. Therefore, the correct answer is option c, which suggests moderate levels of disturbance.

Key Concepts

Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis

The Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis posits that species diversity is maximized when ecological disturbances occur at moderate levels. This is because such disturbances create a balance between the competitive exclusion of species and the opportunities for new species to establish themselves, leading to a more diverse community.

Species Diversity

Species diversity refers to the variety of different species within a given ecological community. It is typically measured by species richness (the number of different species) and species evenness (the relative abundance of each species). High species diversity is often associated with greater ecosystem resilience and functionality.

Disturbance Regimes

Disturbance regimes are patterns of disturbances that affect ecosystems, including their frequency, intensity, and duration. These disturbances can be natural (like fires or floods) or anthropogenic (human-induced). Understanding these regimes is crucial for predicting how ecosystems respond to changes and for managing biodiversity effectively.