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New findings from Queen's University biologists show that in the plant world, bigger isn't
necessarily better.
"Until now most of the thinking has suggested that to be a good competitor in the forest,
you have to be a big plant," says Queen's Biology professor Lonnie Aarssen. "But our research
shows it's virtually the other way around."
Previous studies showed that larger plant species monopolize(垄断) sunlight, water and
Other resources, limiting the number of smaller plant species that can exist around them. But
the research has proved that this is not generally the case in natural vegetation.
In the Queen's project, PhD student Laura Keating targeted the largest "host plants" of 16
woody plant species growing in the Okanogan Valley, British Columbia. The research team
calculated the number and variety of plants that neighbored each large host plant. They then
randomly selected plots without host plants and calculated the plant species there as well. The
research showed that the massive trees have no effect on the number of species with which they
coexist.
Smaller plants have many advantages over their overbearing neighbors, Professor Aarssen
notes. Larger species generate physical space niches(生态位)under their shelters where smaller
species grow well. Smaller plants are much more effective than large trees at using available
resources. They also produce seeds at a much younger age and higher rate than their bigger
counterparts, and settle down much more quickly-thus competing with the newly-born plants
of larger species.
1. What's the main idea of the text?
A. Smaller plants may have many advantages over their neighbors.
B. In the plant world, the bigger is better than the smaller one.
C. To be a good competitor in the forest, you have to be a small plant.
D. Queen's University's students made a new research.
2. The underlined word "this" in Para.3 refers to the view that ____.
A. large and small plants can grow together in harmony
B. larger plant species limit their smaller neighbors' growth
C. small plant species have their own advantages
D. large and small plant species can never coexist.
3. What does the underlined word coexist mean in paragraph 4?
A. cooperate together
B. surround together
C. evolve together
D. live together
4. Which is the CORRECT order in the Queen's project?
a. Randomly selected plots without host plants and-calculated the plant species.
b. Calculated the number and variety of plants that neighbored each large host plant.
c. Selected the largest individuals or "host plants" of 16 woody plant species.
A. a, b, c
B. c, b, a
C. b, c, a
D. a, c, b
5. What can we learn according to the text?
A. Larger plant species limit the number of smaller ones around them.
B. Smaller plants can limit the number of plant species around them.
C. Smaller plants produce seeds at a higher rate than their bigger counterparts.
D. Larger trees are more effective than small plants at using available resources.
