Question

Robert May was a theoretician who found that:

a. All else being equal, more diverse systems are less stable than less diverse systems
b. All else being equal, more species diversity bears no relationship to system stability
c. The number of primary producers is the most important aspect of biodiversity
d. All else being equal, more diverse systems are more stable than less diverse systems

Answer 1

Theoretical research by Robert May aligned with the hypothesis that more diverse ecosystems are more stable due to a greater number of species which increases the likelihood of higher productivity and complementary resource use, thus contributing to stability and efficiency.

Step-by-step explanation:

Robert May, a prominent theoretician, examined the connection between ecosystem stability and species diversity. His findings align with the concept that, all else being equal, more diverse systems are typically more stable than less diverse ones. This is due to the sampling-competition effect, wherein a greater number of species increases the likelihood of including particularly productive species, leading to a complementary use of resources, where different species thrive under various environmental conditions. Hence, more species can exploit a wider range of environmental variables, making biodiverse ecosystems likely more stable and efficient. This is supported by the biodiversity-stability hypothesis, which suggests that greater diversity can buffer ecosystems against disturbances, thereby reducing fluctuation in productivity and improving resistance to perturbations.