Final answer:
The number of habitats significantly influences species diversity and community tolerance to environmental changes, with larger and more varied habitats generally supporting a richer diversity of species.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between the number of habitats and species diversity, as well as tolerance to environmental changes, is significant. A greater number of habitats often means a higher species diversity due to the availability of different resources and niches that can support more species. This diversity, in turn, can enhance the resilience of a community to environmental changes because a larger pool of species provides a higher chance that some species have the traits necessary to tolerate such changes.
Studies have shown that the number of species present increases with the size of the habitat. The species-area relationship indicates that larger habitats support more species, partly because they contain a wider array of microhabitats and resources. On the other hand, habitat fragmentation typically leads to a loss of species, as smaller fragments support fewer species than a continuous habitat of equivalent size.
In conclusion, the number of habitats influences species diversity and the community's tolerance to environmental changes. Thus, maintaining or increasing habitat diversity is crucial for preserving biodiversity and the stability of ecosystems.