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Multiple Choice
How long does it typically take for a ring-barked tree to die due to the disruption of nutrient transport?
A
Several years
B
Instantly
C
A few days
D
Several weeks to months
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the process of ring-barking, which involves removing a strip of bark from around the entire circumference of a tree trunk. This disrupts the phloem, the tissue responsible for transporting nutrients from the leaves to the rest of the tree.
Recognize that the phloem is located just beneath the bark. When it is removed, the tree can no longer transport sugars and other nutrients produced by photosynthesis in the leaves to the roots.
Consider the impact of this disruption: the roots will eventually deplete their stored energy reserves because they are not receiving new nutrients, leading to the tree's decline.
Acknowledge that the time it takes for a tree to die after ring-barking depends on several factors, including the tree species, size, and environmental conditions. However, it generally takes several weeks to months for the tree to die because the roots can survive on stored nutrients for a period before they are exhausted.
Conclude that the correct answer is 'Several weeks to months' because it aligns with the biological process of nutrient depletion and the time required for the tree to exhibit signs of decline and eventually die.