What result(s) from the Park Grass Experiment support the idea of community stability? (Select all that apply.)
A) Virtually no new species have been added to the plant community since 1862.
B) The proportions of three plant groups (legumes, grasses, and other species) remained fairly stable over the interval of the study.
C) The proportion of grasses, legumes, and other plants in the study plots varied from year to year, mainly in response to variation in precipitation.
D) The application of fertilizer produced significantly different proportions of grasses, legumes, and other plant species.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that virtually no new species have been added to the plant community since 1862 and that the proportions of the three plant groups remained fairly stable over the interval of the study both support the idea of community stability. Option C suggests some yearly variation, and option D suggests that external factors can affect the proportions of plant species.

What Result(s) from the Park Grass Experiment Support the Idea