The ability of a community to withstand environmental disturbances (community stability) is correlated with:
A) geographic size of community
B) power of keystone species
C) species richness
D) species poverty
E) sheer luck

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Species richness refers to the number of different species present in a community. Generally, communities with higher species richness have a greater number of interactions and ecological roles filled, making them more stable and able to withstand environmental disturbances. This is because a disturbance that affects one species may not affect others, so communities with more species have a greater chance of maintaining overall function even if some species are lost.

The Ability of a Community to Withstand Environmental Disturbances (Community