Environmental stressors are factors whose influence is to constrain productivity, reproductive success, and ecosystem development. They may be natural, like the eruption of a volcano, or more commonly, they are associated with human activities. One group of stressors is biological in nature, and includes competition, herbivory, predation, parasitism, and disease. One type of biological stressor is illustrated here: the introduction of a nonnative species, kudzu. Kudzu was intentionally introduced to North America by the Soil Erosion Service and Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s for the purpose of controlling soil erosion in the southeast. What is the main impact of such a biological stressor?

Question

Environmental stressors are factors whose influence is to constrain productivity, reproductive success, and ecosystem development. They may be natural, like the eruption of a volcano, or more commonly, they are associated with human activities. One group of stressors is biological in nature, and includes competition, herbivory, predation, parasitism, and disease. One type of biological stressor is illustrated here: the introduction of a nonnative species, kudzu. Kudzu was intentionally introduced to North America by the Soil Erosion Service and Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s for the purpose of controlling soil erosion in the southeast. What is the main impact of such a biological stressor?

Responses

A It releases unknown pathogens into the local environment.It releases unknown pathogens into the local environment.

B It grows checked and eventually replaces indigenous species.It grows checked and eventually replaces indigenous species.

C The more sensitive plant species in the area are replaced by more-tolerant ones.The more sensitive plant species in the area are replaced by more-tolerant ones.

D The annual decomposition of kudzu helps create a rich soil bed for other plants.

Answer 1

Bot GPT 4-o mini answered
2 hours ago

The main impact of the introduction of a nonnative species like kudzu is:

B It grows unchecked and eventually replaces indigenous species.

Kudzu often outcompetes native vegetation for resources such as light, water, and nutrients, leading to a decline in biodiversity and altering the ecosystem.