In an ecosystem, producers convert the sun's energy into a usable source for other organisms. Primary consumers eat the producers, secondary consumers eat primary consumers, and tertiary consumers eat secondary consumers.The lion is both a scavenger and a secondary consumer. Thus, they may fill more than one role in the ecosystem.If additional cheetahs were introduced into this ecosystem, shortly thereafter we would expect a decrease in the:
Correct answer: D. Hare population
- A. lion population
- B. Hyena population
- C. Dung-rolling beetle population
- D. Hare population
Explanation
The "shortly thereafter" part of this question is very important in determining the answer. It means you have to look for the first and foremost effect an increase in the population of a certain organism would have i.e. a decrease in the population of its prey. Here, the Cheetah preys on Hare and Gazelle. Since Gazelle is not in the options, the answer would be D, Hare population. Option A is incorrect because even though the lion population will decrease, it will not decrease immediately. An increased number of Cheetahs means increased competition for Lions over their shared prey, Gazelle, which will lead to lesser food available for Lions causing a decrease in the Lion population. However, this is a more long term effect, and will not happen shortly thereafter as the lion also has other prey options available. Option B is also incorrect as the Hyena population will not decrease shortly after. Instead, it will increase shortly thereafter because less Hare means more grass will be available for Hyena to eat. Option C is incorrect because even though number of Hare are decreasing, the number of Cheetah have increased, which will balance out the amount of food available for them.
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Scientific reasoning evaluates hypotheses through observations, variables, controls, measurements and experimental results. Questions involve identifying independent and dependent variables, recognising a fair test, interpreting tables or graphs, distinguishing evidence from opinion, and deciding whether data supports, rejects or leaves a hypothesis unresolved.
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