Emergent plants, like cattails and bulrushes, are tall aquatic plants that have roots that lie underwater but stems and leaves that extend out of the water. These plants play a critical role in the ecological succession of a pond.

During the ecological succession of a pond, how is the appearance of emergent plants most likely to affect the organisms of the pond?
A.
Emergent plants cannot provide food and shelter for fish and amphibians, so fewer birds and other predators are attracted to the pond.
B.
Emergent plants contribute layers of decaying matter to the pond, providing food for decomposers and raising the floor of the pond.
C.
Emergent plants increase the amount of sunlight submerged plants receive, so more of these plants grow.
D.
Emergent plants exhaust the nutrients and other resources in a pond, making it uninhabitable for other organisms.