Which of the following plant characteristics would indicate an area of damaged rangeland?

The presence of predominantly short grasses and annual plants is a clear indicator of damaged rangeland. This condition often arises in ecosystems where overgrazing or poor land management has taken place. When the natural perennial grasses and shrubs are grazed excessively or face environmental stress, they can become diminished. In their absence, annual plants, which tend to be shorter and less robust, may take over. This shift can lead to a less stable ecosystem, as these annual plants do not provide the same benefits to soil health and erosion control that well-established perennial vegetation does.

In contrast, a healthy rangeland ecosystem typically displays a high diversity of native species, well-established perennial vegetation, and a thick growth of native shrubs. These characteristics represent resilience and stability, suggesting good land management practices and a thriving ecosystem.