Question

a non - native plant is introduced into a diverse, mature ecosystem in equilibrium. assuming that the non - native plant has no natural enemies and that it thrives in the ecosystem, how will it affect the community?
a the native species will become more like the new plant.
b the number of native species will decrease.
c the number of native species will not be affected at all.
d the native species will become extinct
select all that apply. there is more than one possible answer for this question.
□a
□b
□c
□d

Explanation:

• Option A: Native species don't become more like the new plant just because a non - native plant is introduced. Evolutionary changes to match a new plant would not happen quickly or in this way, so A is incorrect.
• Option B: The non - native plant, with no natural enemies, will compete with native species for resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients. This competition will likely lead to a decrease in the number of native species as they struggle to get enough resources to survive and reproduce, so B is correct.
• Option C: Since the non - native plant is competing for resources, the native species will be affected. So C is incorrect.
• Option D: While the non - native plant may cause a decrease in native species, it is not guaranteed that all native species will become extinct. Some native species may be more resilient or may be able to adapt to the new competition to some extent. However, in some cases, if the non - native plant is extremely competitive, local extinctions of some native species could occur. But generally, saying all native species will become extinct is too extreme. But compared to A and C, B is a more certain outcome, and D can also be a possible outcome in some cases (though not always). Wait, but let's re - evaluate. The question says "select all that apply". Let's think again:

When a non - native plant (invasive, since no natural enemies) is introduced into a mature ecosystem, it will outcompete native species for resources. This will lead to a decrease in the number of native species (Option B). In extreme cases, some native species may become extinct (Option D), but not all native species will necessarily become extinct (so D is a possible outcome in some scenarios, but not a guaranteed one for all native species). Option A is wrong because there's no mechanism for native species to "become more like" the new plant quickly. Option C is wrong because the introduction of a competitive species will affect the native species.

So the correct options are B and D.

Answer:

B. The number of native species will decrease.
D. The native species will become extinct