High School

Dear beloved readers, welcome to our website! We hope your visit here brings you valuable insights and meaningful inspiration. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and explore the content we've prepared for you.
------------------------------------------------ Trees in a hardwood forest are an example of what?

A. a pioneer species
B. a keystone species
C. a foundation species
D. an invasive species

Answer :

Final answer:

c. a foundation species. Trees in a hardwood forest exemplify a foundation species, which form the basis of their ecosystem's structure, often as primary producers and being abundant.

Explanation:

Trees in a hardwood forest are an example of a foundation species. Foundation species are considered the "base" or "bedrock" of a community, exerting the greatest influence on its overall structure. They are generally abundant and often act as primary producers within the ecosystem. An example of a foundation species is kelp, a type of brown algae, which creates and supports complex kelp forest ecosystems off the coast of California. In contrast, a pioneer species is one that can colonize barren environments devoid of soil, initiating an ecological succession, while a keystone species is one whose role is crucial for the survival of the ecosystem and a invasive species is a non-native species that can cause harm to the new environment it enters.