Question

Which of the following plant species requires forest fire to maintain an ecosystem balance in which it can thrive.

• A. Lupine perennis
• B. Lantana camara
• C. Cassia fistula
• D. Shorea robusta

Hint:

Controlled, prescribed burning is a key management tool used in forestry to simulate natural fire regimes and preserve endangered, fire-dependent species like wild lupine.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Certain ecosystems are fire-dependent, and the plants within them have adapted to require periodic fires to survive, germinate, and maintain their populations.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Lupine perennis (wild lupine) is a herbaceous perennial plant native to the open sand plains, oak savannas, and pine barrens of North America.
These ecosystems are historically fire-dependent and require periodic ground fires to maintain their structure.
Wild lupine thrives in open, sunlit environments with sandy soils.
Without periodic fires, these habitats undergo ecological succession, where fast-growing shrubs and trees close the canopy, shading out the forest floor.
Periodic ground fires clear away competing woody vegetation, consume accumulated leaf litter, and return nutrients to the soil.
This process creates the high-light, open conditions necessary for the seeds of Lupine perennis to germinate and grow.
Additionally, wild lupine is the exclusive larval host plant for the endangered Karner blue butterfly (*Plebejus melissa samuelis*), making periodic fires essential for preserving this butterfly species as well.
The other species listed do not have this strict requirement: Lantana camara is an invasive weed, and while Shorea robusta (Sal) can tolerate fire, it does not depend on it in the same way as wild lupine.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, the species that requires periodic fires to maintain its ecosystem is Lupine perennis, corresponding to option (A).