Why is the presence of voles particularly harmful to young trees?

The presence of voles is particularly harmful to young trees because they girdle and destroy them by chewing the bark. This behavior significantly impacts the trees' ability to transport nutrients and water, which are critical for their growth and survival. When voles gnaw on the bark, they remove the tree’s protective layer, allowing for potential disease and pest problems to arise, further jeopardizing the young tree's health. Girdling can lead to dieback, stunted growth, and even death if the damage is extensive enough.

The other options highlight related issues that can affect trees, but they do not directly pertain to the specific harm caused by voles. For example, burying seeds or competing for water may impact other plants or crops, but they do not directly harm the young trees in the way that girdling does. Attracting predators, while it might introduce additional threats, does not inherently damage the trees the way that the voles' chewing behavior does. Understanding this behavior of voles underscores the importance of managing their populations to protect young trees effectively.