The Diversity of Our Native Grassland Species Is in Decline

question 161

Multiple Choice

The diversity of our native grassland species is in decline. Restoration ecologists working to restore native grasslands are experimenting with combinations of burning and grazing to simulate natural conditions and increase species diversity. According to Joseph Connell, what level of burning and grazing should ecologists aim for?

• A)strong enough to limit interspecific competition, but not strong enough to limit the number of species that can tolerate the environment
• B)strong enough to promote interspecific competition and niche diversification, but not strong enough to promote competitive exclusion
• C)strong enough to promote indirect competition, but not strong enough to promote direct competition
• D)strong enough to selectively favor one or more keystone species, but not strong enough to favor their competitors
• E)None of the answer options is correct.

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Definitions:

Effectiveness

The degree to which something achieves a desired or intended result or outcome.

Punishment

A consequence applied with the intent of reducing the occurrence of an undesirable behavior.

Positive Punishment

Adding an unpleasant stimulus in response to a behavior to decrease the likelihood of that behavior happening in the future.

Negative Punishment

A behavioral modification technique where a desirable stimulus is removed following an unwanted behavior, decreasing the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.