Predicts diversity is highest at moderate levels of disturbance.
Frequent disturbance eliminates sensitive species; rare disturbance lets competitive dominants exclude others; intermediate levels allow coexistence. Support is mixed.
At low disturbance, competitive dominants win; at high disturbance, only tolerant species survive. Tested in tropical forests, intertidal and coral systems with mixed results.
Remember: the hypothesis predicts a hump-shaped curve of diversity.
Predicts diversity is highest at moderate levels of disturbance.
Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis is one of the 54 topics in Ecology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Ecological Succession, Exponential Growth, Biomes.
Coral reefs with moderate storm damage often have highest diversity.
Work through the Beginner topics in Ecology first, such as Ecology, Ecosystem, Biotic and Abiotic Factors, then return to Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis are Ecological Succession, Exponential Growth, Biomes, Island Biogeography. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis. To practise the whole of Ecology, use the Ecology quiz.
Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis: Predicts diversity is highest at moderate levels of disturbance. Ecological Succession: The gradual, directional change in a community over time, primary on bare rock and secondary after disturbance. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Ecological Succession and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Ecology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
The gradual, directional change in a community over time, primary on bare rock and secondary after disturbance.
🌍 EcologyPopulation growth at a constant per capita rate, producing a J-shaped curve in unlimited conditions.
🌍 EcologyLarge regions with characteristic climate and communities, such as tundra, rainforest and desert.
🌍 EcologyPredicts species richness on islands from island size and distance to the mainland.
🌍 Ecology