In an experiment, newly established natural plant communities containing vines, grasses, and plants that form symbiotic relations with ants ("ant-plants") are subject to one of four manipulations of the local insect popoulation, enforced by fine netting, as follows: (A) ants and herbivores present
(B) herbivores present but ants removed
(C) ants present but herbivores removed
(D) both ants and herbivores removed
After ten years, how do you expect these four manipulations will rank in terms of ant-plant biomass (high to low)?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ant-plants form symbiotic relationships with ants, which protect them from herbivores and other threats. In scenario C, where ants are present but herbivores are removed, ant-plants would likely thrive the most due to protection from ants without the pressure from herbivores. In scenario D, both ants and herbivores are removed, which might lead to a neutral or slightly positive effect on ant-plant biomass due to the absence of herbivores, despite the loss of protective ants. In scenario A, both ants and herbivores are present, which might lead to a moderate level of ant-plant biomass because the ants can protect the plants to some extent from the herbivores. In scenario B, with herbivores present but ants removed, ant-plants would likely fare the worst due to the lack of protection against herbivores.

In an Experiment, Newly Established Natural Plant Communities Containing Vines