Question

ECOLOGY QUESTION:

Following a volcanic eruption, an ecologist observes that species composition is dominated by species A for 10 years, but after that point species B is more common. Concurrently, the ecologist carries out an experiment in which species A is removed from some plots. Which results and conclusion are logical?

Select ALL that are logical conclusions for the given results.

a.)	If species B becomes common in the removal plots after 5 years, then tolerance succession is occurring at the site.

b.)	If species B becomes common in the removal plots after 10 years, then primary succession is occurring at the site.

c.)	If species B becomes common in the removal plots after 5 years, then facilitation succession is occurring at the site.

d.)	If species B becomes common in the removal plots after 5 years, then inhibition succession is occurring at the site.

e.)	If species B becomes common in the removal plots after 10 years, then tolerance succession is occurring.

f.)	If species B becomes common in removal plots after 15 years, then inhibition succession is occurring.

Answer 1

• If species B becomes common in the removal plots after 5 years, then facilitation succession is occurring at the site - Since the species A - the primary successor has already become uncommon, facilitation succession is occuring that is facilitating the succession of later-successional species B. The conditions created by the species A in the removal plots have helped species B to flourish.
• If species B becomes common in removal plots after 15 years, then inhibition succession is occurring - When the specis A is removed, species B becomes the primary successional species that is inhibiting the growth of later successional species and species A that was already present.