Final answer:
The most diverse ecosystems experience intermediate levels of disturbance, allowing for high biodiversity. Wetlands are an example of highly diverse ecosystems. Tropical rainforests are a model for designing ecological preserves due to their rich species diversity and variety of niches. The correct option is (b).
Step-by-step explanation:
The most diverse ecosystem is typically one that experiences intermediate levels of disturbance. This concept is linked to the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis, which suggests that biodiversity is highest when ecological disturbances occur at a moderate frequency and severity. Such disturbances prevent dominant species from monopolizing resources, thus allowing room for less dominant species to coexist and thrive as well.
Wetlands, for example, are considered the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems, supporting an abundance of plant and animal life. In the context of ecosystem dynamics, a re-created ecosystem in a laboratory setting is known as an experimental ecosystem or a microcosm. When it comes to planning an ecological reserve, conservationists often look to tropical rainforests as these possess a rich diversity of species and highly diversified niches, making them the foundation of preserve design decisions.