Topic: Climax Communities Under Extreme Environmental Conditions

Topic: Climax communities under extreme environmental conditions
In some areas of the western United States pines are an important part of the climax community. Fires occur at regular intervals in these areas. How could fire maintain these pine populations?

A) Fires allow pioneer species like annual grasses to colonize.
B) Fires cause gaps in the canopy that allow early-succession species to thrive.
C) Fires kill understorey species, allowing pine seedlings to thrive.
D) Fires make it easier for legumes to colonize, increasing soil nitrogen.