Question

In what ways does studying thousands of years of climate data and plant distribution data from a specific area help explain the area's current composition of plant species?

1) It demonstrates that the species living in an area change as the climate in the area changes.
2) It makes it clear that some species may still be in the process of migrating into or out of the area.
3) It verifies that the number of species remains constant, even if species composition changes.
4) It shows that as an area's climate changes, resident species readily adapt to new conditions.

Answer 1

Historical climate and plant distribution data are key to understanding dynamic plant species adaptations and migrations in response to climate changes, demonstrating that ecosystems evolve and maintain function despite changing species compositions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Studying thousands of years of climate data and plant distribution data from a specific area is crucial for explaining the area's current composition of plant species because it provides insights into the historical processes that shape present-day ecosystems. Firstly, it demonstrates that plant species adapt to climate changes over thousands of years, leading to shifts in their geographic ranges, such as poleward expansions and contractions at equatorial edges. This historical perspective reveals that species distributions are dynamic and closely linked to climatic conditions. Secondly, long-term data highlight that some species may still be migrating in response to ongoing climate changes, indicating that current assemblages are not static but rather continuously evolving. Lastly, historical data show that while species composition may change, ecosystem functions are maintained through the introduction and establishment of new species that fill the ecological roles of those that are lost, which supports the notion of ecological resilience.