Final answer:
It is false that increased habitat heterogeneity in a local population causes more population density fluctuations. Greater habitat diversity often stabilizes populations by providing various resources, which buffers against extreme conditions and supports species diversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns the relationship between habitat heterogeneity and population density fluctuations. It is a concept in ecology, particularly within the study of population dynamics and conservation biology. As habitat heterogeneity in a local population increases, it is false to say that population density fluctuates more. In fact, habitat heterogeneity often provides a range of microenvironments that can buffer a population against extreme conditions and reduce the likelihood of extinction, thereby stabilizing population density.
Habitat heterogeneity refers to the variety of different habitats within a certain area. It typically supports greater species diversity and provides various resources that populations need to survive. For example, a heterogeneous habitat may allow for species to find shelter, food, and mating opportunities even under changing conditions. This diversity of options can help populations remain more constant instead of fluctuating wildly. Meanwhile, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change are all factors that can reduce biodiversity by making environments more homogenous and less resilient.
Contrastingly, the conservation management taking a metapopulation approach can be more effective in maintaining species in a fragmented habitat by considering both the spatial and qualitative aspects of these patches. This helps to ensure that even as specific local conditions change, the overall population is supported by a network of viable habitats.