The species of tree shown below grows in a wide range of temperatures in a desert area in Africa, where average temperatures have been rising over the past several decades. The trees in the hottest parts of their range are dying, but trees at high elevations or in parts of the range that are cooler are growing and reproducing.
If this warming trend continues, which of the following statements best describes how the reproduction of trees will affect future generations of the species?
A. Trees in hotter regions will likely not survive and those at higher elevations will live to reproduce and pass their traits on to the next generation
B. The trees will adapt to the higher temperatures out of need and have offspring that are better suited for hotter temperatures.
C. Mutations in the somatic cells of individual trees that allow for resistance to heat will be passed along to future offspring.
D. Trees will adapt a method of dispersing seeds to higher elevations