In a community characterized by high species richness, what can be inferred?

Prepare for your DIVE Biology Quarterly Exam 4. Engage with comprehensive materials, including flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with detailed explanations. Maximize your score and master the curriculum!

In a community characterized by high species richness, a high resilience can indeed be inferred. High species richness means that there are many different species present in the community. This diversity allows for a variety of interactions among species, which can create a more adaptable and stable ecosystem. When faced with environmental changes or disturbances, such as diseases, climate shifts, or habitat destruction, a community with high species richness is better equipped to recover. The different species can fulfill various roles within the ecosystem, allowing it to maintain its functions even in the face of challenges.

In contrast, communities with low biodiversity might struggle to recover from disturbances, as they lack the variety of species necessary to provide sustainability and flexibility in ecosystem functions. The other options highlight aspects that do not accurately capture the implications of high species richness, such as low genetic variability, which typically occurs in more homogeneous populations, or stable food chains, which can be disrupted regardless of the number of species present.

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