Final answer:
Island biogeography theory suggests that a 10-fold increase in area does not result in a tenfold increase in species, but rather a smaller, proportional increase due to the non-linear relationship between island area and species diversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Island biogeography theory predicts that a 10-fold increase in area results in a disproportionately smaller increase in the number of species. Specifically, while the area increases exponentially, the number of species tends to follow a more gradual curve.
For example, if the area of an island increases by ten times, you might expect a significant increase in species diversity, but rather than a 10-fold increase in species count, there will be a smaller proportional increase. This concept is based on the dynamic balance between species colonization and extinction rates, with larger islands having lower extinction rates and potentially higher colonization rates compared to smaller islands.
Therefore, the relationship between island area and species diversity is not linear but follows a curve where species diversity increases with area but at a decreasing rate. Island biogeography studies such as those by MacArthur and Wilson highlight the importance of island size and isolation in predicting species richness.