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Practice Reading: Reading Fill in the Blanks ID: #50577 Non-indigenous Plants
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In the text below some words are missing. Drag words from the box below to the appropriate place in the text. To undo an answer choice, drag the word back to the box below the text.
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The  invasion  of  non-indigenous  plants  is  considered  a  primary  threat  to  integrity  and  function  of  ecosystems.  However,  there  is  little  quantitative  or    evidence  for  ecosystem  impacts  of  invasive  species.  Justifications  for  control  are  often  based  on  potential,  but  not  presently  realized,  recognized  or  quantified,  negative  impacts.  Should  lack  of  scientific  certainty  about  impacts  of  non-indigenous  species  result  in  postponing  measures  to  prevent  degradation?  Recently,  management  of  purple  loosestrife  (Lythrum  salicaria),  has  been  criticized  for  lack  of  evidence  demonstrating  negative  impacts  of  L.  Salicaria,  and  management  using  biocontrol  for  lack  of  evidence  documenting  the  failure  of  conventional  control  methods.  Although  little  quantitative  evidence  on  negative  impacts  on  native  wetland  biota  and  wetland  function  was  available  at  the  onset  of  the  control  program  in  1985,  recent  work  has  demonstrated  that  the  invasion  of  purple  loosestrife  into  North  American  freshwater  wetlands  alters    rates  and  nutrient  cycling,  leads  to  reductions  in  wetland  plant  diversity,  reduces  pollination  and  seed  output  of  the  native  Lythrum  alatum,  and  reduces  habitat    for  specialized  wetland  bird  species  such  as  black  terns,  least  bitterns,  pied-billed  grebes,  and  marsh  wrens.  Conventional  methods  (physical,  mechanical  or  chemical),  have  continuously  failed  to    the  spread  of  purple  loosestrife  or  to  provide  satisfactory  control.  Although  a  number  of  generalist  insect  and  bird  species  utilize  purple  loosestrife,  wetland  habitat  specialists  are  excluded  by  the    of  L.  salicaria.  We  conclude  that  negative  ecosystem  impacts  of  purple  loosestrife  in  North  America  justify  control  of  the  species  and  that    effects  of  purple  loosestrife  on  wetland  systems  and  biota  and  the  potential  benefits  of  control  outweigh  potential  risks  associated  with  the  introduction  of  biocontrol  agents.

suitability decomposition composition sustainability curb detrimental devastating experimental encroachment

Result:

AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.
Correct answer: experimental

Explanation: The term 'experimental' fits grammatically as it describes the type of evidence being referred to. In this context, it indicates that the evidence is derived from experiments, which is crucial for establishing scientific validity regarding ecosystem impacts.

Meaning: 'Experimental' refers to evidence obtained through controlled tests or trials.

Wrong options:

  • encroachment: 'Encroachment' refers to the gradual intrusion of something, which does not relate to the type of evidence needed.
  • composition: 'Composition' refers to the makeup or structure of something, which does not fit the context of evidence.
  • detrimental: 'Detrimental' is an adjective describing something harmful, but it does not describe a type of evidence.
  • curb: 'Curb' is a verb meaning to restrain or limit, which does not fit as a type of evidence.
  • sustainability: 'Sustainability' refers to the ability to be maintained, which does not apply to the type of evidence discussed.
  • decomposition: 'Decomposition' refers to the process of decay, which is unrelated to the type of evidence needed.
  • suitability: 'Suitability' refers to the appropriateness of something, which does not describe evidence.
Correct answer: decomposition

Explanation: The word 'decomposition' fits contextually as it refers to the process of breaking down organic matter, which is relevant to the ecological impacts being discussed. It aligns with the scientific context of nutrient cycling.

Meaning: 'Decomposition' is the process by which organic substances are broken down into simpler organic or inorganic matter.

Wrong options:

  • encroachment: 'Encroachment' refers to the gradual intrusion of something, which does not relate to rates of biological processes.
  • composition: 'Composition' refers to the makeup of something, which does not fit the context of rates in ecological processes.
  • detrimental: 'Detrimental' describes something harmful, but it does not relate to a biological process like decomposition.
  • curb: 'Curb' is a verb meaning to restrain or limit, which does not fit in the context of biological rates.
  • sustainability: 'Sustainability' refers to the ability to maintain ecological balance, which does not directly relate to rates of decomposition.
  • experimental: 'Experimental' refers to evidence derived from tests, which does not fit the context of biological processes.
  • suitability: 'Suitability' refers to appropriateness, which does not relate to the rates of biological processes.
Correct answer: suitability

Explanation: The term 'suitability' fits grammatically and contextually as it describes the appropriateness of habitat for specialized wetland bird species. It aligns with the discussion of ecological impacts.

Meaning: 'Suitability' refers to the appropriateness or fitness of a habitat for certain species.

Wrong options:

  • encroachment: 'Encroachment' refers to the gradual intrusion of something, which does not fit the context of habitat quality.
  • composition: 'Composition' refers to the makeup of something, which does not relate to habitat appropriateness.
  • detrimental: 'Detrimental' describes something harmful, but it does not fit as a descriptor of habitat quality.
  • curb: 'Curb' is a verb meaning to restrain or limit, which does not apply to habitat suitability.
  • sustainability: 'Sustainability' refers to the ability to maintain ecological balance, which does not directly relate to habitat quality.
  • experimental: 'Experimental' refers to evidence derived from tests, which does not fit the context of habitat suitability.
  • decomposition: 'Decomposition' refers to the process of decay, which does not relate to habitat quality.
Correct answer: curb

Explanation: The verb 'curb' fits grammatically and contextually as it means to restrain or limit the spread of purple loosestrife. It aligns with the discussion of control methods.

Meaning: 'Curb' means to restrain or limit something, particularly in the context of controlling invasive species.

Wrong options:

  • encroachment: 'Encroachment' refers to the gradual intrusion of something, which does not fit as an action to control spread.
  • composition: 'Composition' refers to the makeup of something, which does not relate to controlling the spread of species.
  • detrimental: 'Detrimental' describes something harmful, but it does not fit as an action to control spread.
  • sustainability: 'Sustainability' refers to the ability to maintain ecological balance, which does not apply to controlling spread.
  • experimental: 'Experimental' refers to evidence derived from tests, which does not fit as an action to control spread.
  • decomposition: 'Decomposition' refers to the process of decay, which does not relate to controlling the spread of species.
  • suitability: 'Suitability' refers to appropriateness, which does not apply to controlling spread.
Correct answer: encroachment

Explanation: The term 'encroachment' fits contextually as it describes the gradual intrusion of purple loosestrife into wetland habitats, which is relevant to the discussion of habitat quality for specialists.

Meaning: 'Encroachment' refers to the gradual intrusion or invasion of something, particularly in an ecological context.

Wrong options:

  • composition: 'Composition' refers to the makeup of something, which does not relate to the invasion of species.
  • detrimental: 'Detrimental' describes something harmful, but it does not fit as a descriptor of the process of invasion.
  • curb: 'Curb' is a verb meaning to restrain or limit, which does not describe the process of invasion.
  • sustainability: 'Sustainability' refers to the ability to maintain ecological balance, which does not apply to the process of invasion.
  • experimental: 'Experimental' refers to evidence derived from tests, which does not fit the context of invasion.
  • decomposition: 'Decomposition' refers to the process of decay, which does not relate to the invasion of species.
  • suitability: 'Suitability' refers to appropriateness, which does not describe the process of invasion.
Correct answer: detrimental

Explanation: The word 'detrimental' fits grammatically and contextually as it describes the harmful effects of purple loosestrife on wetland systems. It aligns with the overall negative sentiment regarding the species.

Meaning: 'Detrimental' means causing harm or damage.

Wrong options:

  • encroachment: 'Encroachment' refers to the gradual intrusion of something, which does not describe the effects on wetland systems.
  • composition: 'Composition' refers to the makeup of something, which does not relate to the harmful effects discussed.
  • curb: 'Curb' is a verb meaning to restrain or limit, which does not fit as a descriptor of effects.
  • sustainability: 'Sustainability' refers to the ability to maintain ecological balance, which does not apply to harmful effects.
  • experimental: 'Experimental' refers to evidence derived from tests, which does not fit the context of harmful effects.
  • decomposition: 'Decomposition' refers to the process of decay, which does not relate to the harmful effects discussed.
  • suitability: 'Suitability' refers to appropriateness, which does not describe the effects on wetland systems.

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