The different spatial distribution of coast redwoods and red maple trees illustrates the operation of
A)limiting factors.
B)competitive exclusions.
C)management through logging.
D)symbiosis.
E)exclusivity

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The different spatial distribution of coast redwoods and red maple trees can be explained by the operation of limiting factors, such as water availability, soil nutrients, and temperature, that may favor one species over the other. For example, coast redwoods require a cool and moist climate with well-drained soils, whereas red maple trees can tolerate a broader range of conditions, including drier and warmer environments. Therefore, the distribution of these trees is largely determined by the ecological conditions that satisfy their survival and growth requirements, which may vary spatially and temporally due to natural fluctuations or anthropogenic influences. Choice B is not accurate because competitive exclusion implies that one species dominates and displaces another from their niche, which is not necessarily the case in this situation. Choice C is not necessary to explain the observed pattern of distribution, as logging may affect the composition and structure of forest communities but does not explain why some species occur in some areas and not in others. Choice D is not applicable because symbiosis refers to close, long-term interactions between different species, such as mutualism, commensalism, or parasitism, which may have positive, neutral, or negative effects on their fitness. Choice E is not a relevant concept in ecology as it implies the absence of shared resources or relationships among different species, which is rarely the case in natural ecosystems.

The Different Spatial Distribution of Coast Redwoods and Red Maple