Biological communities may show a highly predictable and interrelated structure, or alternatively, the individual species may appear to operate independently. If a researcher were to set up many identical sterilized ponds in the same area and allowed them to be colonized, which result would support the idea that species operate independently?
A) Identical plankton communities will develop in all ponds.
B) Similar plankton communities will develop in all ponds.
C) Different plankton communities will develop in all ponds.
D) Limited plankton communities will develop in all ponds.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Different plankton communities developing in each pond would support the idea that species operate independently, as it suggests that the colonization process is random and not determined by a predictable set of interrelationships among species.

Biological Communities May Show a Highly Predictable and Interrelated Structure