Question

what is most likely to result immediately after a rainforest in brazil is clear-cut?
○ secondary succession
○ primary succession
○ a climax community
○ increased biodiversity

Explanation:

1. Recall the definitions of ecological succession: Primary succession occurs on bare, lifeless substrates (like after a volcanic eruption or glacial retreat) with no soil. Secondary succession happens in areas where a disturbance (like clear - cutting) has destroyed a community but left the soil intact.
2. Analyze the options:

• For "primary succession": Clear - cutting a rainforest leaves soil (and some seeds, roots, etc.), so it's not primary succession.
• For "a climax community": A climax community is a stable, mature community that develops after a long period of succession. Clear - cutting is a disturbance, so a climax community won't form immediately.
• For "increased biodiversity": Clear - cutting initially reduces biodiversity as many organisms lose their habitat. Biodiversity increases over time during succession, not immediately.
• For "secondary succession": After clear - cutting, the soil is still present, and there are likely seeds, roots, etc. left. So secondary succession (the process of ecological recovery in a disturbed area with soil) will start immediately.

Answer:

A. secondary succession