Question

Imagine walking through a tropical rainforest. You notice that there are different types of trees, birds, insects, and other organisms. A few weeks later you are taking a walk through the desert and notice that the trees, birds, insects, and other organisms are different than those you saw in the rainforest. Which of the following statements best explains the differences between each of these ecological systems?a. Organisms in each ecological system have short dispersal distances and are confined to the area where they mate.

b. Organisms in each ecological system have evolved in that system and have adaptations suited for that environment.
c. Organisms in each ecological system haven't had enough time to evolve the adaptations for the other ecosystem; with enough time they will evolve into the other ecological system.
d. Organisms in each ecological system are there by chance and their presence in different ecological systems does not have a biological explanation.

Answer 1

b. Organisms in each ecological system have evolved in that system and have adaptations suited for that environment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The abiotic factors of one ecosystem differ from that of the other. A forest ecosystem mostly has enough of rainfall, suitable temperatures, soil fertility and availability of nutrients to support the growth of numerous life forms. On the other hand, a desert ecosystem is characterized by water scarcity, extremes of temperatures, infertile soil, and other unfavorable abiotic conditions that allow only certain plant and animal species to survive there.

Therefore, life forms are adapted to the surroundings and two ecosystems with different abiotic conditions will have different species of plants and animals.