Which of the following factors is a characteristic of a disturbance that impacts the rate of recovery?

A disturbance that impacts the rate of recovery in an ecosystem can be characterized by several interrelated factors, each of which plays a crucial role.

The duration of exposure refers to how long an ecosystem is subjected to a disturbance. A longer duration can lead to more significant alterations in the ecosystem, such as changes in species composition or loss of habitat, which may lengthen the recovery time.

The frequency of occurrence pertains to how often disturbances happen within a certain period. High frequency can prevent recovery from previous disturbances, as ecosystems may not have adequate time to bounce back before experiencing another event.

The scale of disturbance involves the extent or size of the affected area. Large-scale disturbances can lead to widespread destruction of habitat and biodiversity, complicating recovery efforts and prolonging the timeline for ecosystem restoration.

Considering that each of these factors—duration, frequency, and scale—individually influences the recovery rate, it follows that all of them collectively represent significant characteristics of disturbances affecting recovery. Therefore, the correct answer reflects that all of these factors are integral in understanding the dynamics of ecological recovery following disturbances.