Which of the following communities is more vulnerable to invasion by outside animals and plants?

Options

A. Temperate forests
B. Oceanic island communities
C. Mangroves
D. Tropical evergreen forests

Answer

To determine which community is more vulnerable to invasion by outside animals and plants, we can analyze the given options step by step:

1. **Understanding the Options**: The options provided are:
- Temperate forest
- Oceanic island communities
- Mangroves
- Tropical evergreen forest

2. **Defining Vulnerability to Invasion**: Vulnerability to invasion refers to how susceptible a community is to being disrupted or altered by non-native species. Factors that contribute to this vulnerability include the presence of natural competitors, predators, and the overall resilience of the ecosystem.

3. **Analyzing Each Community**:
- **Temperate Forest**: These forests have a diverse range of species and established ecological interactions, making them relatively resilient to invasions.
- **Mangroves**: Mangrove ecosystems are adapted to specific coastal conditions and have some level of resilience due to their unique adaptations.
- **Tropical Evergreen Forest**: Similar to temperate forests, these ecosystems are rich in biodiversity and have complex interdependencies, which can help resist invasions.
- **Oceanic Island Communities**: These communities are often isolated and can lack natural predators and competitors. This isolation can lead to a higher vulnerability to invasive species because the native species may not have evolved defenses against them.

4. **Conclusion**: Based on the analysis, oceanic island communities are more vulnerable to invasion by outside animals and plants due to their isolation, lack of natural competitors, and predators. This makes them susceptible to the impacts of invasive species.

5. **Final Answer**: The correct answer is **B. Oceanic island communities**.