White pines and ferns are found in which plant community?

• A. Mixed deciduous forest
• B. Dry Meadows
• C. Serpentine barrens
• D. Mixed coniferous forest

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that a plant community often reflects the dominant habitat conditions—moist, shaded understories favor ferns, and evergreen conifers like white pines provide the canopy that supports those understory plants. White pines are a tall evergreen conifer, and ferns thrive in the cool, damp, shaded conditions found beneath such a canopy. That combination points to a mixed coniferous forest, where conifers dominate and a moist understory can support ferns. In contrast, dry meadows are sunny and dry and don’t support that understory; serpentine barrens are nutrient-poor and harsh; a mixed deciduous forest lacks a conifer-dominated canopy.