In some areas of the western United States, pines are an important part of the climax community. Fires octur at regar interes n these areas. How could fire maintain these pine populations?
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Fire can clear out underbrush and dead vegetation, reducing competition for resources such as sunlight, water, and nutrients. Show more…
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Moderate fires play an important role in western pine forests. Which of the following statements is NOT one of those roles? A They release carbon and other nutrients into the soil to be recycled. B They remove the debris and low-lying branches of the pine forests. C They destroy all the seed banks in the upper layers of the soil. D They create open grassy areas for large herbivores, such as elk, deer, bison, and moose. The fires at Yellowstone National Park in 1988 were more severe than in
Suman K.
Western pine forests are — A A mosaic of biodiversity frequently affected by flooding from spring rains B A diverse group of habitats often affected by fires C Large uniform ecosystems often destroyed by fire D None of the above The 1988 fires affected the lodgepole pine in Yellowstone National Park. What were the long-term effects? A The fires destroyed the seed bank of the pines. B The fires opened the cones, allowing for the germination of new trees. C The fires opened grassy areas for the pine to germinate. D The fires permanently devastated the population of lodge pole pines.
Leyna S.
The Mountain Pine Beetle vs an Ecosystem The lodgepole pine grows in the North American west, as far north as the Yukon. It tolerates most soil conditions; cold, wet winters; and warm, dry summers. Seed cones can withstand freezing temperatures and most insects. The trees have fairly thin bark and a shallow root system, making them susceptible to damage by fire and insects; however, the high temperatures of fires release the seeds to quickly regenerate trees after a forest fire. During the last hundred years, forest fires have been controlled and suppressed. The mountain pine beetle is a common parasite of the lodgepole pine. Adult beetles bore through the thin bark to lay eggs and deposit a fungus carried on their bodies. The larvae live in and feed on the bark during the winter, as does the fungus. The bark damage usually kills the host tree, although sustained temperatures of -25 °C during the early fall or late spring or temperatures of -40 °C during winter can kill the larvae. Infestations usually last 5 to 7 years and happen in 20- to 40-year cycles. The pine beetle infestation began in British Columbia in 1993, and over a decade later residents in affected areas are reporting: • small mammals such as squirrels have disappeared • song birds have left the area • trap lines are increasingly empty • cougars are coming to settled areas and preying on family pets • devil's club, a plant used for Aboriginal medicine, is increasingly hard to find Analysis 1. What biotic and abiotic components of the environment affect the life cycle of the lodgepole pine? What biotic and abiotic components of the environment affect the life cycle of the mountain pine beetle? 2. Can you suggest reasons why the current mountain pine beetle infestation has lasted longer than the usual 5 to 7 years? 3. What can you infer from the local reports about the impact of the loss of the trees on other organisms? Extension 4. Choose one of the following roles and write or present a short paragraph on how the pine beetle infestation affects you as: a) a local elder b) a logger c) a planner for the department of forests d) a wilderness tour operator
Sri K.
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