A coral reef community was destroyed by a combination of dynamiting and poison to harvest fish.The reef area has recently been declared off-limits for fishing, and a conservation group hopes to restore the reef to its initial state.An ecologist thinks the group is unlikely to achieve this goal.Assuming that environmental conditions (such as temperature and acidity) remain the same, what factor is the ecologist most likely considering that would prevent restoration of the reef?
A) After an area has been destroyed, the original species are gone and cannot be returned.
B) Any area destroyed by human activity cannot be returned to its original state.
C) Human activity cannot restore an area; restoration must occur naturally.
D) Once poison has been introduced to a reef, it will remain, preventing reef restoration.
E) Alternative states may develop in an area, even under similar environmental conditions.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ecologist is likely considering the concept of alternative states, which refers to the idea that a disturbed ecosystem may shift to a different stable state, rather than returning to its original state. Even if environmental conditions remain constant, the species composition and structure of the coral reef community may not be able to fully recover due to the presence of different competitive interactions, nutrient availability, or other factors that could lead to a new community structure.

A Coral Reef Community Was Destroyed by a Combination of Dynamiting