What helps produce the patchiness found in most biomes?

• A. Climate change
• B. Layered structure
• C. Convergent evolution
• D. Ecotones
• E. Disturbance

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of 'patchiness' in biomes: Patchiness refers to the uneven distribution of different habitats or ecosystems within a biome, leading to a mosaic of different environments.
2. Consider the role of disturbances: Disturbances such as fires, storms, or human activities can create patchiness by altering the landscape and creating new habitats or changing existing ones.
3. Evaluate the other options: Climate change can affect biomes but does not directly create patchiness. Layered structure refers to vertical stratification in ecosystems, not horizontal patchiness. Convergent evolution is a process where unrelated species evolve similar traits, unrelated to patchiness. Ecotones are transition areas between ecosystems, which can contribute to patchiness but are not disturbances themselves.
4. Recognize that disturbances are often the primary drivers of patchiness: They create a dynamic environment where different areas recover at different rates, leading to a patchwork of habitats.
5. Conclude that disturbances are key in producing the patchiness found in most biomes, as they introduce variability and heterogeneity in the landscape.