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Question #46645
The Question
An ecotone between a forest and a grassland typically exhibits the 'edge effect', harboring greater species diversity than the adjacent ecosystems. If an aggressive alien plant species that acts as an 'edge specialist' heavily invades this transition zone, which of the following ecological consequences is most likely to occur?
Options
- A.
The edge effect will be amplified, leading to a steeper slope (higher Z-value) in the species-area relationship curve.
- B.
The alien species will competitively exclude native species, causing biotic homogenization and a localized decline in the Z-value.
- C.
Native interior species will undergo resource partitioning with the alien species, stabilizing the ecotone's climax community.
- D.
The ecotone will undergo accelerated secondary succession, permanently increasing the carrying capacity for native edge species.
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
Optimal Foraging Theory|Inverted Biomass Pyramids|Trophic Efficiency Limits
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often rigidly memorize that 'Edge Effect = High Biodiversity' and might assume adding a new species further increases this richness (Option A).
The trap lies in failing to integrate the 'Alien Species Invasion' concept, which dictates that invasive species cause competitive exclusion.
This collapses the very biodiversity the edge effect usually promotes, thereby flattening the species-area relationship curve (lowering the Z-value).
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Organisms and Populations - Class 12 |
| Concept | Optimal Foraging Theory |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |