Question

homework - ecological succession
the image shows the process of ecological succession on a piece of barren land.
an oak - hickory forest is completely destroyed by a forest fire in 2015, and this creates a similar piece of barren land again.
which dominant plant species most likely would be found in the region in 2050?
grasses
pine trees
oak trees
hickory trees

Explanation:

After a forest fire, secondary succession occurs. The time frame from 2015 (when the oak - hickory forest was destroyed) to 2050 is about 35 years. Looking at the original succession timeline:

• Grasses were dominant in the early years (e.g., 1866 - 1867). But after a fire, the succession restarts.
• Pine trees started to dominate around 1890 - 1965 in the original succession. A 35 - year period after 2015 (2015 + 35 = 2050) is more in line with the pine - tree - dominant stage of succession (as it takes longer than the grass - only stage but not as long as the oak - or oak - hickory - dominant stages).

Answer:

pine trees