Question

Over 100 acres of forest was recently burned down by a forest fire near Ashely’s house. There used to be a lot of deer, foxes, coyotes, hawks, and other animals that lived in that part of the forest and were often seen around her house. Ashely is worried that these animals will be not return to the forest after the fire. What is MOST likely to happen with the animals in the area after the forest fire? The deer and hawks will not come back until the trees are fully regrown, but the other animals will come back quickly. The animals will stay away for approximately five years, but they will eventually come back to the area. New animal species will move into the area because the fire has created more space for habitats. The coyotes and foxes will not come back, but the other animals will come back quickly.

Answer 1

After a forest fire, the ecosystem recovers through secondary succession, a gradual process where new plants and animals return over time. The area evolves from grasses to shrubs and small trees, and eventually back to its original climax community state, with wildlife returning at various stages. The correct answer is option C.

Step-by-step explanation:

After a forest fire, an area undergoes a natural process called secondary succession, where the ecosystem gradually recovers and is reestablished over time. Initially, the land may look devastated, but the seeds of new plants are typically safe underground and ready to grow. The first plants to appear are usually annuals, which are followed by rapidly spreading grasses and other pioneer species. These plants change the environment, making it suitable for other species like shrubs and small trees, known as intermediate species, to grow. In time, more than 150 years perhaps, the area can return to its original state, known as the climax community, where it remains stable until the next disturbance.

As for the wildlife, different species have diverse strategies for survival and will return at different stages of the succession process. Species that rely heavily on the forest canopy, like certain types of hawks, may take longer to return, while others such as the deer, which are more adaptable, might return sooner to take advantage of the new growth. Predators like coyotes and foxes may also return relatively quickly if there's sufficient food, such as smaller mammals that thrive in the new vegetation. So, while each species is different, it is likely that animals will start to return to the area as it regrows, though the time frame for each species may vary.