(Figure 17.22) Researchers manipulated the number of species of mycorrhizal fungi living in the soil and measured the effects on plant biomass and phosphorus uptake. Their results are shown in the figure. Based on their results, the most likely way the extinction of mycorrhizal fungi species would affect the ecosystem is to

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The graph shows that as the number of mycorrhizal fungi species in the soil decreases, both plant biomass and phosphorus uptake decrease. This suggests that the extinction of mycorrhizal fungi species would reduce plant growth, making choice A the best answer. The graph does not provide any evidence to suggest that the extinction of mycorrhizal fungi would increase plant growth or reduce/increase plant extinction.