A population of oak trees growing in a region in Canada experiences a change in climate to much colder temperatures and much drier conditions than they have had for many decades. What determines how this population will change in the next few years?
A-traits of the individuals in the present population
B-**The ability of the present population to change itself**
C-The importance of this population to other species
D-The populations survival history during the last ten years.
plzzzzzz
some of the individuals in the population may have traits that will allow them to cope with the changing climate
a population can only change itself over time by producing new individuals with new traits...it's a slow process for trees
The correct answer is **B- The ability of the present population to change itself**.
The ability of the present population to adapt to the new climate conditions will be a crucial factor in determining how it will change in the next few years. Different individuals within the population may possess varying traits that make them more or less likely to survive and reproduce in the new climate. Natural selection will favor individuals with traits that are advantageous in the colder and drier conditions, leading to changes in the overall population over time.
The correct answer is B - The ability of the present population to change itself.
When faced with a changing environment, the ability of a population to adapt and change is crucial for its survival. In this scenario, the population of oak trees is exposed to much colder temperatures and drier conditions. The traits of the individuals in the present population (option A) play an important role in their ability to adapt. Some individuals within the population may possess traits that allow them to better tolerate colder temperatures and drier conditions, while others may not.
However, it is ultimately the **ability of the present population to change itself** (option B) that will determine how they respond to the new climate conditions. This ability to change could be a result of genetic variability within the population. If the population exhibits a wide range of genetic diversity, some individuals may have genes that provide them with better adaptations to the colder and drier climate. Over time, those individuals with advantageous traits will have higher survival and reproductive rates, leading to a shift in the population towards individuals better suited to the new environment.
Options C and D, which refer to the importance of the population to other species and the population's survival history, respectively, are also factors that can influence the population's overall resilience and response to changing conditions. However, in the context of determining how the population will change in the next few years, the ability of the present population to change itself is the most relevant factor.