Through field studies and statistical analysis of plant species diversity, soil composition, and rainfall patterns collected from 180 forest sites...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Through field studies and statistical analysis of plant species diversity, soil composition, and rainfall patterns collected from 180 forest sites across the Pacific Northwest, ecologists Jennifer Kim and Robert Torres propose that old-growth forest ecosystems develop through multiple successive stages of community assembly rather than through a single continuous process.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the researchers' claim?
Forest sites at different elevations tend to have similar species compositions.
The Pacific Northwest receives relatively consistent rainfall throughout the year.
Certain old-growth sites show distinct community transitions occurring over several centuries.
Plant species diversity patterns have been documented in other forest regions.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Through field studies and statistical analysis of plant species diversity, soil composition, and rainfall patterns collected from 180 forest sites across the Pacific Northwest," |
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| "ecologists Jennifer Kim and Robert Torres propose that" |
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| "old-growth forest ecosystems develop through multiple successive stages of community assembly rather than through a single continuous process." |
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Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Based on comprehensive field research, ecologists propose that old-growth forest development occurs in distinct successive stages rather than as one continuous process.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes the research foundation (extensive field studies across many sites), identifies the researchers, and presents their key finding that challenges a continuous development model in favor of a staged development model for old-growth forests.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- To support the claim that old-growth forests develop through "multiple successive stages" rather than a "single continuous process," we need evidence that shows: distinct phases or transitions in forest development, sequential changes rather than gradual continuous change, and community assembly happening in identifiable stages over time.
- The key contrast is between STAGES (discrete phases) versus CONTINUOUS (gradual, uninterrupted change). So the right answer should provide evidence of distinct transitions or phases that occur sequentially in forest development.
Forest sites at different elevations tend to have similar species compositions.
✗ Incorrect
- Similar species compositions at different elevations tells us about spatial patterns, not temporal development stages. This doesn't address whether forests develop through stages or continuous processes over time.
The Pacific Northwest receives relatively consistent rainfall throughout the year.
✗ Incorrect
- Consistent rainfall describes environmental conditions, not forest development patterns. This is about external factors, not the internal process of community assembly.
Certain old-growth sites show distinct community transitions occurring over several centuries.
✓ Correct
- "Distinct community transitions occurring over several centuries" directly demonstrates the multiple successive stages claim. "Distinct transitions" = separate stages (not continuous). "Over several centuries" = successive timing. This perfectly matches what Kim and Torres propose.
Plant species diversity patterns have been documented in other forest regions.
✗ Incorrect
- Documentation in other regions just shows the phenomenon exists elsewhere. Doesn't provide evidence about whether development is staged or continuous.