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Difficulty: MediumLogical Inferences

In tropical forests, lianas (woody vines) compete intensely with trees for resources. To investigate this interaction, ecologist Georgette Bonney monitored forest plots in Panama where lianas were either left intact or manually removed. Over five years, trees in the liana-free plots grew significantly faster and had lower mortality rates than trees in control plots. Because tree biomass accumulation is a principal mechanism of carbon sequestration in these forests, Bonney’s team concluded that an increase in liana abundance in tropical forests will likely __________

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. A
    indicate that trees in tropical forests grow faster and survive longer when lianas are present in their plots.
  2. B
    cause trees to adapt by shifting their resource allocation to outcompete lianas for sunlight.
  3. reduce the rate at which these forests absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.Answer
  4. D
    demonstrate that resource competition invariably limits the growth of all plant species throughout Panamanian ecosystems.

Answer

The option stating that an increase in liana abundance will likely reduce the rate at which these forests absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The correct answer is supported by the passage's premises. The study shows that trees in plots without lianas grow faster and have lower mortality rates than those with lianas, meaning lianas suppress tree growth and survival. Since tree growth (biomass accumulation) is the principal mechanism of carbon sequestration in these forests, an increase in lianas will suppress tree growth, which in turn reduces the forests' rate of carbon sequestration.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the premises regarding lianas and tree growth in the passage.
Trees in plots without lianas grow faster and have lower mortality rates than trees in plots with lianas, indicating that lianas hinder tree growth and survival.
To establish the relationship between lianas and tree performance.
2
Connect tree performance to carbon sequestration.
Tree biomass accumulation (growth) is the main mechanism for carbon sequestration (absorption and storage of carbon dioxide) in these forests.
To relate the biological effect of lianas to the ecological consequence of carbon storage.
3
Deduce the effect of increased liana abundance.
An increase in lianas will lead to slower tree growth and higher tree mortality, which will decrease biomass accumulation and thus reduce the rate of carbon sequestration.
To find the most logical conclusion that completes the passage.

Key Concept

Logical Inferences
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Topics

Logical Inferences

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