An alpine area of a national park near a trail is normally covered by plants, but much of the area is now bare soil. Park rangers suspect that trampling by hikers has killed the plants. Which of the following will best test the hypothesis?

The correct option is;

comparing plant survivorship in areas where hikers stay on the trail with plants where hikers leave the trail

Step-by-step explanation:

The hypothesis that the area formerly covered by known plants which is now bare soil due to trampling in the alpine areas by hikers can be tested by means of comparing the areas where during the cause of their visit, the hikers remain on the trail as they move within the park to other portion of the park where it is known that there are either very few or no hiker remain on the trail. The outcome will determine if the cause of the appearance of bare soil is due to the transit and trampling by hikers.

22

step-by-step explanation: