What is the resource-ratio hypothesis?
A)Late successional species are not affected by species of previous stages.
B)There are three strategies in terms of resource use by plants.
C)There is a pattern of changing allocation of carbon to aboveground and belowground tissues.
D)The process of succession is determined by who gets there first.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The resource-ratio hypothesis states that there is a pattern of changing allocation of carbon to aboveground and belowground tissues, which in turn affects species composition and succession. This hypothesis suggests that the ratio of available resources (such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) can determine which species will thrive in an ecosystem. Specifically, it proposes that as soil nutrient availability decreases during succession, there is a shift in allocation from aboveground to belowground tissues.

What Is the Resource-Ratio Hypothesis