The theory of island biogeography describes the number of species on an island as being determined by an equilibrium between the processes of immigration and extinction. Consider a small, far-offshore island and a large, near-shore island. Which island is expected to have a HIGHER equilibrium number of species?

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Near-shore, large islands are expected to have a higher equilibrium number of species because they have a higher rate of immigration due to their larger size and closer proximity to mainland sources of species. Additionally, they have a lower rate of extinction due to a larger habitat area and greater ecological diversity.

The Theory of Island Biogeography Describes the Number of Species