Question

select the best evidence to support the statement that fungi play an important role in disposing of decaying material in conifer forests.
vast forests of pines, firs, spruces, and other needle - leaved, cone - bearing trees often lack bright colors—apart from bright fungi dotting the carpet of fallen needles.
in a thick conifer forest, the year - round layer of evergreen leaves high above casts a permanent shade on the ground. the fallen needles decay slowly and contain a lot of acid. so, compared to broad - leaved woods, there are few bushes, ferns, mosses, and flowers.
fungi are detritivores, also called scavengers or saprobes. they feed on dead and decaying matter known as detritus. in conifer woods, fungi recycle more than 80 percent of all once - living material. other detritivores, such as worms, millipedes, insects, and microscopic bacteria, recycle the rest.
from steve parker: molds, mushrooms, & other fungi. copyright 2009 by compass point books

Explanation:

To support the statement about fungi's role in disposing decaying material in conifer forests, we need evidence showing their action on detritus. The third paragraph states fungi are detritivores feeding on dead/decaying matter (detritus) and in conifer woods, they recycle over 80% of once - living material. This directly shows their role in breaking down and disposing of decaying material. The first paragraph only describes the forest's appearance, and the second explains the forest's environment (shade, slow needle decay, few plants), not fungi's role.

Answer:

Fungi are detritivores, also called scavengers or saprobes. They feed on dead and decaying matter known as detritus. In conifer woods, fungi recycle more than 80 percent of all once - living material. Other detritivores, such as worms, millipedes, insects, and microscopic bacteria, recycle the rest.