What type of relationship exists between environmental complexity and species diversity?

A positive relationship exists between environmental complexity and species diversity, meaning that as environmental complexity increases, species diversity tends to also increase. Environmental complexity refers to the variety and intricacy of structural elements within an ecosystem, such as different habitats, niches, and resources available.

In more complex environments, there are numerous niches and opportunities for various species to thrive, leading to greater potential for coexistence and specialization. This increased availability of resources and habitats often allows several species to utilize different parts of the ecosystem or exploit different resources, reducing direct competition and supporting higher biodiversity.

In contrast, simpler environments typically limit the number of available niches, which can lead to lower species diversity as only a few species can adapt and thrive. The positive correlation highlights the importance of habitat complexity in fostering a rich tapestry of ecological interactions and species coexistence.