Pine communities are eventually replaced by oak-hickory communities after about 150 years of old field succession on the Piedmont Plateau of North Carolina because
A) mature pines are susceptible to a fungal disease called pine blight.
B) juvenile pines are susceptible to a fungal disease called pine blight.
C) juvenile pines cannot grow in the low pH soil that results as pine litter decomposes.
D) juvenile pines cannot grow in the shade of mature pines.
E) mature pines require an association with mycorrhizal fungi which are excluded from this area by low pH soils.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Juvenile pines cannot grow in the shade created by mature pines, which allows for the succession towards oak-hickory communities as these species can grow in shaded conditions, eventually replacing the pine community.

Pine Communities Are Eventually Replaced by Oak-Hickory Communities After About