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Multiple Choice
Which stage of succession depicted in the figure above represents the oldest stage?
A
Stage 4: Mature forest with diverse plant and animal species (climax community)
B
Stage 3: Shrubs and small trees begin to grow
C
Stage 2: Pioneer species such as lichens and mosses
D
Stage 1: Bare rock with no vegetation
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of ecological succession: It is the process by which ecosystems develop and change over time, starting from a barren environment to a stable and mature ecosystem known as the climax community.
Identify the stages of succession: In this problem, the stages are described as Stage 1 (bare rock), Stage 2 (pioneer species like lichens and mosses), Stage 3 (shrubs and small trees), and Stage 4 (mature forest with diverse species).
Recognize the progression of succession: Succession typically begins with pioneer species that can colonize harsh environments (e.g., lichens and mosses in Stage 2), followed by intermediate species like shrubs and small trees (Stage 3), and finally leads to a stable climax community (Stage 4).
Determine the oldest stage: The oldest stage in ecological succession is the climax community, which represents a stable and mature ecosystem with diverse plant and animal species. In this problem, this corresponds to Stage 4.
Conclude that Stage 4 represents the climax community, which is the final and most developed stage of succession, indicating it is the oldest stage in the sequence provided.