Why does an increase in total resources or number of added resources commonly lead to declines in species diversity? a. the diversity in most communities is negatively correlated with resources. b. superior competitors increase and exclude lesser competitors c. increases in the number of resources increase competition. d. increased plant density reduces the number of species that the community can support.

 b. Superior competitors increase and exclude lesser competitors.

Explanation:

Species diversity is the total number of different species that represents a community. The species diversity is promoted by the evolution of new species from the existing species that occur due to adaptation of the species under unfavorable conditions. The addition of new resources will lead to increase the population of superior competitors as they are strong and more competitive than the inferior and lesser competitive species.

As the superior competitors are receiving resources they will not adapt or evolve thus new species will develop. Also the lesser competitive will not receive any resources being inferior and low in density the lesser competitive one may extinct. Hence, Superior competitors increase and exclude lesser competitors. will lead to decline in the species diversity.