Question

Wildfires are frequent In the Great Basin shrub steppe. Every time there is a fire outbreak, much of the natural vegetation is destroyed. What is the MOST LIKELY impact of fire on this ecosystem?
Responses
A A drastic reduction in the animal population due to migration or death by starvation.A drastic reduction in the animal population due to migration or death by starvation.
B No impact, because the plants have only been temporarily removed from the ecosystem.No impact, because the plants have only been temporarily removed from the ecosystem.
C There would be no rainfall because there are no trees or shrubs in the region.There would be no rainfall because there are no trees or shrubs in the region.
D Non-native plants and animals would migrate into the region.

Answer 1

D

Frequent fires that remove native vegetation open space and reduce competition, allowing invasive non‑native plants (and the animals that accompany them) to establish — a well‑documented problem in the Great Basin (e.g., cheatgrass invasion), which can alter fire regimes and ecosystem function.