/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 40 Explain what happens to a forest... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Explain what happens to a forest community after a forest fire. a. The same community is quickly re-established just as it existed before the disturbance. b. Another mature community with different species grows quickly in place of the original community. c. Groups of species grow and then are replaced by other groups through a sequential series of changes as the community matures over time. d. The landscape remains barren for many years until trees grow large enough to provide the shade needed for smaller plants to grow.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Option c is correct: Groups of species are replaced sequentially as the community matures over time.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Prompt

The question asks what happens to a forest community following a disturbance like a forest fire. It offers multiple-choice options (a, b, c, and d).
02

Analyze Option A

Option a suggests that the same community is quickly re-established just as it existed before the disturbance. Consider whether it is likely for an ecosystem to immediately return to its pre-disturbance state without sequential changes.
03

Analyze Option B

Option b proposes that another mature community with different species grows quickly in place of the original community. Reflect on the speed at which ecological succession generally occurs and if entirely new communities can rapidly replace old ones.
04

Analyze Option C

Option c states that groups of species grow and then are replaced by other groups through a sequential series of changes as the community matures over time. This suggests a process of ecological succession, where an ecosystem gradually evolves through stages.
05

Analyze Option D

Option d claims that the landscape remains barren for many years until trees grow large enough to provide shade for smaller plants. Consider whether complete barrenness is a typical state for ecosystems post-disturbance, or if some pioneer species usually inhabit the area first.
06

Conclusion

Evaluating the options, option c appears to provide the most accurate description of ecological succession post-disturbance, where an ecosystem undergoes various stages of change before reaching a mature state.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

forest fire
A forest fire is a natural event that can significantly disrupt an ecosystem. While it may seem devastating, fires play an essential role in the cycle of growth and renewal in forest communities. They can clear away dead or diseased plants, making room for new growth.
However, after a fire, the landscape does not immediately return to its original state. The area undergoes a process called ecological succession. This involves various stages of recovery, starting with the most resilient species.
pioneer species
Pioneer species are the first to colonize a disturbed area, such as a forest after a fire. These species are usually hardy and can thrive in challenging conditions where other plants cannot.
Examples of pioneer species include certain types of grasses, mosses, and lichens. These organisms help to stabilize the soil and provide the necessary nutrients for other species to follow.
They play a crucial role in preparing the environment for subsequent stages of ecological succession, making it more hospitable for other plants and animals.
community maturation
Community maturation is the later stage of ecological succession where the ecosystem becomes more stable and diverse. This process can take many years and involves several intermediate stages.
Initially, pioneer species give way to more complex plants like shrubs and small trees. Over time, these are replaced by larger trees, leading to a mature forest.
The final stage is called a climax community, which is relatively stable and balanced. The species composition may resemble the original community before the disturbance, but there can also be differences.
ecosystem disturbance
Ecosystem disturbance, such as a forest fire, can dramatically alter an environment. It disrupts the existing flora and fauna but also sets the stage for new growth.
Disturbances are essential for maintaining ecological balance. They prevent any one species from dominating the landscape and promote biodiversity.
Following a disturbance, the ecosystem goes through a series of changes known as ecological succession. This process ensures that the community can eventually return to a stable, mature state.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Some animal behaviors can be modified by experience. Which of the following accurately predicts how an experiential factor is likely to affect an animal’s behavior? a. A species of salmon will migrate up the same river regardless of increases in predators that visit these waterways from one year to the next. b. Female elk that had difficult deliveries of calves will continue to mate with males in succeeding mating seasons. c. Bears that receive food from humans are later more likely to break into human habitations than bears that are not approached by humans. d. A bird raised from an egg isolated in a lab environment will give the same alarm call as birds of the same species raised in the wild.

Female spotted sandpipers fight each other for resource-rich territories on their beach breeding grounds. Based on this, which mating type would most likely be operating in this species? Explain your reasoning. a. Polyandrous mating is most likely operating as the females are establishing territories apart from other females. The females will then attract males to the resources they control which will result in many males attracted to few females with the richest territories. b. Polygynous mating is most likely operating as the females are establishing territories apart from other females. The females from all territories would attract males to the resources they control, which would result in few males attracted to many females in each territory. c. Polyandrous mating is most likely operating as the females are establishing territories apart from other females. The females from all territories would attract males to the resources they control, which would result in few males attracted to many females in each territory. d. Polygynous mating is most likely operating as the females are establishing territories apart from other females. The females will then attract males to the resources they control which would result in many males attracted to few females with the richest territories.

What is innate behavior? a. Innate behavior results from practice and conditioning. b. Innate behavior occurs spontaneously without any learning component. c. Innate behavior results from thought processes. d. Innate behavior results from interactions within a social group.

Humans have altered their own carrying capacity. Explain how humans have changed their carrying capacity and the consequences of this change. a. By limiting their own carrying capacity, humans have enabled their population to grow rapidly. b. By decreasing their own carrying capacity, humans have enabled their population to grow slowly. c. By stabilizing their own carrying capacity, humans have enabled their population to grow steadily. d. By increasing their own carrying capacity, humans have enabled their population to grow exponentially.

Explain how rmax would be expected to differ for an elephant and a flea, and how that changes the time scale over which populations of these two animals would be studied. a. rmax would be greater for an elephant as elephant reproduces at a faster rate than flea. A shorter time scale would be used to study changes over several elephant generations. b. rmax would be greater for a flea as flea reproduces at a faster rate than elephant. A shorter time scale would be used to study changes over several flea generations than over several elephant generations. c. rmax would be greater for a flea as flea reproduces at a faster rate than elephant. A longer time scale would be used to study changes over several flea generations than over several elephant generations. d. rmax would be greater for an elephant as the elephants grow at an exponential rate so the population growth rate is greatly increased. A shorter time scale would be used to study changes over several elephant generations.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.