Which of the following should lead to an increase in a community's diversity?

Fairly frequent, very severe disturbances.

Very frequent, moderate disturbances.

Fairly frequent, moderate disturbances.

Very infrequent, minor disturbances.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of community diversity: Community diversity refers to the variety and abundance of different species within a given ecological community. It is influenced by factors such as disturbances, which can alter the composition and structure of the community.

Recognize the role of disturbances: Disturbances are events that disrupt community structure and change resources, substrate availability, or the physical environment. They can vary in frequency and severity, impacting community diversity differently.

Analyze the impact of disturbance frequency: Frequent disturbances can prevent any one species from dominating, allowing for a greater variety of species to coexist. However, if disturbances are too frequent, they may not allow enough time for species to recover, potentially reducing diversity.

Consider the severity of disturbances: Moderate disturbances can create opportunities for different species to thrive by opening up resources and space, without completely destroying the community. Severe disturbances might eliminate many species, reducing diversity.

Conclude with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis: This hypothesis suggests that community diversity is maximized at intermediate levels of disturbance. Fairly frequent, moderate disturbances provide a balance that allows for both competitive and opportunistic species to coexist, leading to increased diversity.