Question

scientists observe that lower layers have more species than upper layers while they are recording the types of fossils found in different layers of sedimentary rock in a particular location. the piece of evidence that would help scientists determine the change in the amount of species includes which of the following? the type of parent rock present when the sediment weathered whether there are cross cutting volcanic intrusions present the sediment deposition rate what the environment was like at the time of deposition

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze each option

• Option 1: The type of parent rock is not directly related to the change in species amount.
• Option 2: Cross - cutting volcanic intrusions are more about geological structure disruption rather than species change.
• Option 3: Sediment deposition rate affects the time span represented by each layer. A higher deposition rate may mean a shorter time for species to accumulate in a layer. If lower layers have more species, knowing the deposition rate helps in understanding the time over which species accumulated.
• Option 4: The environment at the time of deposition is related to what species could live there, but not directly to the change in the amount of species (e.g., more species over time).

Answer:

the sediment deposition rate