Final answer:
In the given experiment, the independent variable is Biodiversity, as it is the factor being manipulated to observe its effect on ecosystem stability, which is the dependent variable.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the experiment described, the independent variable is A) Biodiversity. The reasoning behind this choice is that biodiversity is the factor being manipulated by the researchers to observe its effect on ecosystem stability. As ecosystem stability is the response that is measured, it is considered the dependent variable. Mentioned in the reference material is that differences in species numbers and diversity can alter the dynamics of an ecosystem, supporting the idea that biodiversity is the element being tested and changed in the experiment, making it the independent variable. The experiment will likely involve changing the number of species or the composition of species within the ecosystems to observe how these changes affect stability.
It is important to note that ecosystem type could potentially be another independent variable if multiple ecosystem types are being tested against each other. However, the given question does not provide information to confirm this. Therefore, based on the information provided, biodiversity is the independent variable under investigation.