Asmall creek runs through a mature forest, keeping the soil around the creek damp all year. a variety of ferns and several flowering plants thrive in this shady, moist area. along the higher ground above the creek, many species of flowering plants that need less water grow. if a farmer diverted the creek to water his fields, causing the creek to dry up, what would be the most likely long-term consequence for the ferns and angiosperms in the forest?

a. the ferns would outcompete the angiosperms in the forest since they can tolerate a wider range of moisture conditions than angiosperms.

b. the angiosperms and the ferns would not be affected since their thick, waxy cuticle coverings would protect them from drying out.

c. the angiosperms would outcompete the ferns since their sperm do not need moist conditions to get to their eggs as ferns do.

d. the ferns and angiosperms would begin to produce spores instead of seeds since the spores are better able to survive dry conditions.