The intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH) suggests that local species diversity is maximized when ecological disturbance is neither too rare nor too frequent. ... At high levels of disturbance, due to frequent forest fires or human impacts like deforestation, all species are at risk of going extinct.
What does the intermediate disturbance theory predict?
The intermediate disturbance hypothesis predicts high richness in communities subject to a moderate degree of disturbance or stress; according to this model, high stress leads to mortality in all but fast-growing individuals, and under low stress, inter- and intraspecific interactions such as competition and predation ...
What is intermediate disturbance hypothesis example?
Intermediate disturbance hypothesis:
- lightening strikes and other small fires.
- blowdown of trees.
- river meander or flooding.
- landslides.
- small patches of logging.
