Which of the following situations would most likely lead to a uniform distribution of organisms?

• A. Mosses growing only in shaded, moist patches under trees
• B. Seeds dispersed by wind falling randomly across a field
• C. Fish schooling together in a lake for protection
• D. Territorial birds nesting at regular intervals to avoid competition

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of distribution patterns: Organisms can exhibit different types of spatial distributions in their environment, such as clumped, random, or uniform. Uniform distribution typically occurs when individuals are evenly spaced due to competition or territorial behavior.
2. Analyze each option: Mosses growing in shaded, moist patches under trees would likely result in a clumped distribution because they are restricted to specific favorable conditions. Seeds dispersed by wind falling randomly across a field would lead to a random distribution. Fish schooling together in a lake for protection would also result in a clumped distribution due to social behavior.
3. Focus on the correct answer: Territorial birds nesting at regular intervals to avoid competition is an example of uniform distribution. This occurs because the birds actively space themselves out to minimize competition for resources such as food or nesting sites.
4. Relate the behavior to uniform distribution: Territorial behavior often involves individuals defending specific areas, leading to evenly spaced nesting sites. This spacing ensures that resources are not overly depleted in one area and reduces direct competition.
5. Conclude the reasoning: The correct answer is territorial birds nesting at regular intervals because their behavior directly leads to a uniform distribution pattern, which is characterized by equal spacing between individuals.