Ash trees are being removed when they show signs of the ash borer, a parasite that affects only ash trees and kills them off. What best explains why the ash trees are being cut down?
Answer
A
The ash borer is a density-independent limiting factor, and humans need to clear cut to control tree density.
B
The ash borer is a density-dependent limiting factor and will start to spread to nearby healthy trees.
C
Ash trees are outcompeting other trees and are thus more affected by the ash borer.
D
Changes in climate have decreased ash borer populations which indirectly increased the need for cutting down the trees.
Explanation
The ash borer is a parasite that kills ash trees and can spread to nearby healthy ash trees. Its impact depends on the presence and proximity of ash trees, so it is a density-dependent limiting factor. Cutting down affected trees helps limit the parasite’s spread; choice B gives this explanation.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.