Events that occur in four different ecosystems are shown in the chart.
ECOSYSTEMS
Ecosystem Events
A A severe ice storm occurs during the winter, damaging trees and shrubs. No ice storms occur for the next twenty years.
B A severe drought causes most of the leaves to fall from the trees during a single summer. There are no serious droughts for the next twenty years.
C An island with a dense shrub population becomes submerged for three years. When the river water lowers, the island does not become submerged again for the next twenty years.
D A fire burns through a large grassy area. Fires do not occur in the area for the next twenty years.
Which ecosystem would require the longest period of time to return to its original state?
a
Ecosystem D
b
Ecosystem C
c
Ecosystem A
d
Ecosystem B
b. Ecosystem C
Ecosystem C would require the longest period of time to return to its original state because the shrub population would need time to regrow after being submerged for three years. In comparison, the other ecosystems would likely recover more quickly from their respective events.