Final answer:
Increasing patch size may influence the persistence of local populations by mitigating the negative effects of environmental fluctuations, such as floods or wildfires, and enhancing gene flow between populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Increasing patch size may influence the persistence of local populations by increasing the potential for environmental fluctuations, such as variation in rainfall and food sources, which affect birth and death rates in populations. Fluctuations in the environment can have an impact on the survival and reproduction of individuals in a population.
For example, small isolated populations are particularly vulnerable to catastrophic events such as flood, fire, drought, or hurricanes. A wildfire, for instance, may eliminate a small local population, whereas in extensive habitats, some individuals survive and provide a source for recolonization. So, larger patch sizes can provide a buffer against these events, increasing the chances of population persistence.
Additionally, increasing patch size can enhance connectivity in the landscape and facilitate movement and gene flow between populations. This can help to counteract the negative effects of isolation and increase the long-term viability of local populations.