The cones of lodgepole pine trees release their seeds when exposed to heat. Which abiotic event may benefit this plant?(1 point)
Responses
a. drought
b. flood
c. tornado
d. fire
d. fire
Well, it seems like these lodgepole pine trees have a fiery passion for seed dispersal! So, the abiotic event that may benefit them is... (drumroll, please) ...d. fire! Those pine cones are all about "hot" dates!
d. fire
The correct answer is (d) fire. To determine the correct answer, we need to understand the relationship between the lodgepole pine trees and their cones.
Lodgepole pine cones have a unique adaptation where they require heat to release their seeds. This is known as serotiny. The cones remain tightly closed until they are exposed to a high level of heat, such as from a fire. When a fire occurs, the heat triggers the cones to open, allowing the seeds to be dispersed into the ground.
Option (a) drought, (b) flood, and (c) tornado are not directly related to the release of seeds from lodgepole pine cones. While these events may have other effects on the trees or their habitat, they do not facilitate the dispersal of seeds through heat, as seen with fire.
Therefore, the abiotic event that benefits the lodgepole pine tree by facilitating seed dispersal is fire.