Question

1. when taken to a new habitat, invasive plants often threaten native plants of the new habitat. why do non - native plants threaten native plants? * ○ invasive plants are able to mutate rapidly. ○ invasive plants cause native plants to relocate. ○ invasive plants are able to be used for medicine. ○ invasive plants compete with native plants for resources.

Explanation:

To determine why non - native (invasive) plants threaten native plants, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: Invasive plants mutating rapidly is not the main reason for threatening native plants. Mutation is a relatively rare and long - term process, and the immediate threat to native plants is more about resource competition.
• Option 2: Invasive plants causing native plants to relocate is incorrect. Native plants are adapted to their local habitat and do not simply relocate because of invasive plants.
• Option 3: Using invasive plants for medicine has nothing to do with why they threaten native plants. This is a use of invasive plants, not a reason for their threat to natives.
• Option 4: Invasive plants compete with native plants for essential resources such as sunlight, water, nutrients, and space. Since they are often more aggressive in their growth and reproduction in the new habitat (where they may have no natural predators or competitors), they can out - compete native plants, which is the main reason they threaten native plant species.

Answer:

The correct option is: Invasive plants compete with native plants for resources.