Final answer:
An international group of scientists studying the relative neighbor effect (RNE) found that neighboring plant species generally helped the target species at low-elevation sites and hurt the target species at high-elevation sites. (B)
Step-by-step explanation:
An international group of scientists studying the relative neighbor effect (RNE) found that neighboring plant species generally helped the target species at low-elevation sites and hurt the target species at high-elevation sites.
Understanding Relative Neighbor Effect (RNE)
The Relative Neighbor Effect is an observation of how plant species can influence the growth and development of others in their immediate vicinity. Elevation is an essential factor in this dynamic as different species and ecosystems have adapted mechanisms suitable for their specific climates and altitudes.
High-Elevation vs. Low-Elevation Sites
At lower elevations, the climate is generally more moderate, allowing for a diverse range of plant interactions, often resulting in mutual benefits like aiding in growth or providing shelter. At higher elevations, the harsher conditions can lead to increased competition for scarce resources, which might be detrimental to the growth of some plant species. These observations help us understand the potential effects of climate change on plant interactions.
The correct answer to fill in the blanks would be option (B. helped; hurt).