Question

Why are studies of past dispersal events, such as that of maple and hemlock after retreat of the glaciers 16,000 years ago, applicable to present day?

A. Glacial retreat is important for dispersal of many forest trees today
B. Understanding past dispersal in response to climate change can be applied to modern studies of range changes and climate
C. The past dispersal events can directly be applied to predict where maple and hemlock will occur in present day
D. The past dispersal rates of forest trees are important to predict the dispersal of pests in present day

Answer 1

Studies of past dispersal events are applied to the present day to understand species' responses to climate change, predict future shifts in ecosystems, and guide biodiversity conservation and management.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question addresses why studies of past dispersal events, such as the dispersal of maple and hemlock after the retreat of the glaciers 16,000 years ago, are applicable to present-day ecological studies. The correct answer is B. Understanding past dispersal in response to climate change can be applied to modern studies of range changes and climate.

Past dispersal studies are crucial for comprehending how individual species respond to environmental changes, that ecosystems do not move as a whole, and that community assemblage can result in new and unforeseen ecosystem configurations.

These studies also illustrate the complexities of predicting changes due to both linear and abrupt shifts in ecosystems, the former sometimes driven by human activities. By studying historical events, ecologists can better anticipate potential future shifts in ecosystems due to current climatic trends and human influences, which have implications for biodiversity conservation and management.