Energy and Ecosystems: Understanding Nature's Balance

Multiple Choice

A small town in the piney woods of East Texas has a soccer field composed of native grasses. The soccer field is mowed once a week.

What effect does continual mowing have on the ecology of the field?

• Mowing increases the likelihood of nonnative species displacing native species.

• Mowing increases the number of species found in the field.

• Mowing causes different types of communities to form across the field.

• Mowing maintains a low species diversity by inhibiting further succession.