A developer proposes to build new houses and roads on land that is now part of Mairead Forest, which is a tract of 120 acres that the county has designated as conservation land. The developer points out that his proposal would keep the size of forested land at 120 acres. However,
much of the forest would be divided into small pieces separated by highways, houses, and lawns. How would the proposed development
most likely affect the biodiversity of Mairead Forest?

A. Biodiversity would increase, because the human residents would introduce new species to the forest

B. Biodiversity would decrease, because many animal species depend on large areas of land to survive

C. Biodiversity would increase, because evolution would occur faster in the fragmented habitats

D. Biodiversity would change minimally, or not at all, because the size of the forested land would remain the same