The Impact of the Giant Ground Sloth on the Joshua Tree's Range

How did the giant ground sloth affect the range of the Joshua tree?

A. The ground sloth pollinated the trees.
B. The ground sloth was part of the trees' environment.
C. The ground sloth damaged the bark of many trees.
D. The ground sloth ate and dispersed the trees' seeds.

Final answer:

The giant ground sloth impacted the range of the Joshua tree through seed dispersal. It consumed the tree's fruits, and the undigested seeds, deposited elsewhere via defecation, promoted the spread of Joshua trees.

Explanation:

The giant ground sloth may have significantly affected the range of the Joshua tree, primarily through its role in seed dispersal. Possessing a largely plant-based diet, the ground sloth likely consumed Joshua tree fruits and, in doing so, ingested the trees' seeds. When the sloth later relieved itself, these undigested seeds would then be deposited in new areas, often great distances away from where they were consumed. This dispersal of seeds enabled the Joshua tree to extend its range and colonize new habitats. Essentially, the Joshua tree once relied on the ground sloth to proliferate across its historic range.