Question

A researcher has been studying coral reef species diversity for the past two decades. In the first decade, she observed zero hurricanes and the species diversity on the reef remained the same. However, in the last decade, the reef experienced a few minor hurricanes. The researcher recently discovered an increase in the species diversity in the coral reef. These results could support:

Answer 1

What are the choices for this question?

Explanation:

Answer 2

- The intermediate disturbance hypothesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

As per the given description, the results obtained from the researcher's study could support 'the intermediate disturbance hypothesis.' This kind of hypothesis proposes a theory that says that the topmost diversity among the species is controlled by a degree of disturbance. Such a hypothesis carries a recurring idea which suggests that environmental disturbances influence the diversity of species in nature. Since the given description of the researcher's study exemplifies the impact of environmental fluctuations or disturbances on the diversity of species, so, these results could be categorized under 'the intermediate disturbance hypothesis.'