Final answer:
The size increase of a habitat patch leads to a decrease in the impact of environmental stochasticity, supports greater biodiversity, and lowers the probability of extinction, while facilitating colonization.
Step-by-step explanation:
As the size of a habitat patch increases, the impact of environmental stochasticity decreases. This is because larger habitat patches tend to support greater biodiversity and are less susceptible to the random fluctuations that can cause extinctions in smaller, more isolated patches. Larger patches also typically encompass a broader range of environmental conditions (greater environmental heterogeneity), support larger populations, and thus reduce the likelihood of extinction due to demographic or environmental stochastic events. Furthermore, colonization can be facilitated as larger patches might attract more dispersers and offer a wider array of resources and microenvironments favorable for establishment.
Habitat loss, increased pollution, and climate change all contribute to a decline in biodiversity, largely because they lead to the fragmentation and reduction of habitats. Protecting and increasing the size of habitat patches are key strategies in conservation to enhance species richness and support robust ecosystems.