Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 31 to 40.
Mountain Lions Amid Wildfires: A Struggle for Survival
Beth Pratt, the California director for the National Wildlife Federation, has spent her career protecting Los Angeles’ mountain lions. These top predators live in a rocky area surrounded by fancy houses and many roads. When wildfires destroy vast stretches of open land, the survival options for these animals become critically limited. “This is the LA area—these mountain lions can’t just move into the Kardashians’ backyard,” Pratt says, her voice filled with concern for the animals in such a difficult situation.
(I) The chaparral vegetation, covering about 10% of California, is one of the world’s most flammable ecosystems. (II) In Los Angeles, suburban sprawl intrudes on these areas, blocking wildlife escape routes. (III)Fires strip the land of food and shelter, transforming vibrant ecosystems into barren landscapes. (IV) Pratt highlights the urgency of the situation, explaining how areas that once supported life are now “taken out of commission,” leaving many species to starve or struggle for survival.
The consequences extend beyond wildlife. Wildfires have caused devastating human losses, with 88,000 people evacuated and a rising death toll of 25. Meanwhile, the non-human world suffers equally, particularly endangered species with limited ranges. Red-legged frogs, reintroduced into Santa Monica streams in 2014, are among the most affected, with their habitats repeatedly destroyed. The Woolsey Fire of 2018 was followed by mudslides that wiped out much of the region's delicate ecosystem, and scientists fear similar outcomes this time. California newts, reptiles, and snakes are also at high risk, while mammals and birds, although more likely to escape, face challenges in finding food and shelter as the ecosystem bounces back.
Despite the devastation, hope remains. The chaparral is a fire-adapted ecosystem, and life often endures beneath the soil. Seeds can survive and germinate quickly, with grasses sprouting weeks after the first rain. Shrubs may take up to a decade to recover, depending on rainfall. Prof. Stefan Doerr, an expert on wildfires, emphasizes the resilience of this landscape, noting its evolutionary adaptation to high-intensity fires occurring every 30 to 100 years. While the aftermath looks bleak, these fires play a role in maintaining biodiversity, offering a glimmer of hope for recovery.
Which of the following is NOT a factor threatening chaparral vegetation?
