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.
E) intensive disturbance by humans.

Question

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The intermediate disturbance hypothesis proposes that moderate levels of disturbance can increase species diversity by preventing competitive exclusion and allowing for colonization by new species. However, frequent massive disturbance (choice A) can be too disruptive and prevent communities from reaching a stable equilibrium, while stable conditions with no disturbance (choice B) can lead to dominance by one or a few species. Human intervention to eliminate disturbance (choice D) or intensive disturbance by humans (choice E) can also be detrimental to species diversity.

Based on the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis, a Community's Species Diversity