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Question #46646

Difficulty: 8/10 | 🟢 Free

The Question

Read the following statements regarding ecological succession and select the INCORRECT statement:

Options

  • A.

    Both hydrarch and xerarch successions progress towards medium water conditions, ultimately converging into a similar mesic climax community.

  • B.

    In primary succession on bare rock, lichens act as pioneer species by secreting acids to facilitate pedogenesis, which is subsequently followed by bryophyte establishment.

  • C.

    The stabilization of a mesic climax community is independent of its boundary ecotone, as the climax stage is a closed system immune to external edge effects.

  • D.

    During the progression of a sere, there is a gradual increase in species diversity, an increase in total biomass, and a shift towards a more complex food web.

Check Your Answer

Correct Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Explanation

How the Examiner Thinks

Regulatory_Failure

Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.

Concepts Behind This Question

Optimal Foraging Theory|Alien Species Invasion Impacts|Co-extinction Logic

Why This Question Is Tricky

Common Mistakes

Conceptual Pivot: Students often memorize the NCERT phrase 'the climax community is in near equilibrium with the environment' and falsely equate 'equilibrium' with 'absolute invulnerability' or a 'closed system'.

This trap exploits the failure to recognize that ecosystems are open systems; the boundary conditions (ecotones) are biologically critical for buffering the climax community against edge effects and maintaining the mesic microclimate.

Quick Facts About This Question

Question Information

SubjectBiology
ChapterOrganisms and Populations - Class 12
ConceptOptimal Foraging Theory
Difficulty8
Cognitive Load5
Target Solve Time120 sec
AccessFree