Populations change when an ecosystem undergoes succession. During which stage of succession would an ecosystem most likely have the highest species diversity?
A.
The normally-flooded areas of a wetland that is undergoing a prolonged drought.
B.
The side of a mountain that recently experienced a severe landslide.
C.
A deciduous forest that has never been cleared for human settlement.
D.
A tropical forest that was burned one year ago to create farmland.
C. A deciduous forest that has never been cleared for human settlement.
During the early stages of succession, there is typically a lower species diversity as pioneer species establish themselves in the newly formed environment. As succession progresses and the ecosystem matures, more species are able to establish themselves, leading to higher species diversity. A deciduous forest that has never been cleared for human settlement would have had the time and conditions for multiple species to establish and thrive, resulting in the highest species diversity compared to the other options provided.