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Question #45195
The Question
A stable climax forest community is invaded by an aggressive, opportunistic plant species (an r-strategist) that rapidly monopolizes soil nutrients and ignores established resource partitioning. Based on the principles of ecological succession and population interactions, which of the following statements regarding this ecosystem's dynamics is INCORRECT?
Options
- A.
Prior to the invasion, the climax community sustained high species diversity primarily through niche specialization and resource partitioning among K-strategists.
- B.
During the early facilitation stage of this forest's original primary succession, niche overlap was maximal, which gradually decreased as the climax community formed.
- C.
The invasion disrupts the stable equilibrium, effectively regressing the ecosystem to a transient seral stage and initiating secondary succession.
- D.
The displacement of late-successional native species by the invasive opportunist is a direct manifestation of Gause’s Competitive Exclusion Principle.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Niche Overlap|Inverted Biomass Pyramids|Trophic Efficiency Limits
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: The relationship between species diversity, resource availability, and niche overlap.
Students often mistakenly assume that 'harsh early environments' equate to 'high competition and high niche overlap'.
They fail to realize that low species richness in early succession means low niche overlap.
Conversely, the crowded climax community has high niche overlap, which makes resource partitioning mandatory for stable co-existence.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Organisms and Populations - Class 12 |
| Concept | Niche Overlap vs. Resource Partitioning |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |