. Scientists counted the number of different kinds of herbs, shrubs, and trees present in the field one, 25, .

Question

and 40 years after it had been abandoned.
a. Write three conclusions about what is occurring in the field after analyzing the trends in these data.

b. Make a prediction of the relative numbers (less than, greater than, equal to) of herbs, shrubs, trees, and of the total number of plant species that you would expect to see 100 years after abandonment of the field. Simply state if you predict the number of each of the species will increase, decrease or stay the same. Then state your reasoning behind your answer.

... the table. [ back round information ]
http://i14.tinypic.com/452rwaq.gif

Answer 1

Shrubs and trees are less invasive during short periods of time, herbs are more invasive. Shrubs are spreading quickly due to shorter reprocution time, trees and shrubs have not invaded at one year. At 25 yrs, the reduction in herbs is due to competition from the other 2. At 40 years, more trees and shrubs have reproduced, and the herbs have adapted to the competition but will probably be outcompeted soon. In the future, the trees and shrubs will eventually take over because trees and shrubs are more evasive over longer periods of time. It is common for small species to rapidly invade, then larger species to take over in new environments.

b. after 100 years- all three will increase, but rate of increase will be higher in trees and shrubs. Herbs will increase then level off, then decrease due to maximum capacity of these species being reached and competition, respectively. Trees and shrubs will eventually level off when maximum capacity is reached and will outnumber the herbs.