how do lichens alter the abiotic environment to favor the establishment of other species of plants?\nthey…
how do lichens alter the abiotic environment to favor the establishment of other species of plants?\nthey break down rock and form soil.\nthey reflect sunlight to help them to grow.\nthey provide energy for other plants.\nthey are a good food source for pollinators.\nthey do not help other plants to grow at all.
Answer
Brief Explanations:
Lichens are pioneer species. They secrete acids that break down rocks. This process of weathering rock gradually forms soil. Soil is essential for the establishment of other plant species as it provides a medium for root anchorage and nutrient uptake. The other options are incorrect: lichens do not reflect sunlight to help other plants grow (they photosynthesize for their own needs but not in a way that reflects light for others in this context), they do not directly provide energy for other plants (unlike how producers in a food chain might in a different sense), they are not a significant food source for pollinators in the context of facilitating plant establishment, and they clearly do help (by forming soil) so the "do not help" option is wrong.
Answer:
They break down rock and form soil.