Predators also help in ………A…….species diversity in a community by ……..B…….the intensity of competition among competing prey species.
Here A and B can be

Options

A. A-exceeding ,B-increasing
B. A-maintaining ,B-reducing
C. A-reducing, B-maintaining
D. A-maintaining ,B-increasing

Answer

To solve the question, we need to fill in the blanks A and B with appropriate terms that accurately describe the role of predators in a community regarding species diversity and competition among prey species.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Role of Predators**:
- Predators play a crucial role in ecosystems. They help control the population of prey species, which in turn affects the overall species diversity within a community.

2. **Identifying A (Species Diversity)**:
- The first blank (A) requires a term that indicates how predators influence the variety of species in a community. The correct term is "maintaining." Predators help maintain species diversity by keeping prey populations in check.

3. **Identifying B (Competition)**:
- The second blank (B) needs a term that describes how predators affect competition among prey species. Predators reduce the intensity of competition among competing prey species by limiting their numbers. Thus, the correct term here is "reducing."

4. **Final Answer**:
- Therefore, the completed statement is: "Predators also help in **maintaining** species diversity in a community by **reducing** the intensity of competition among competing prey species."