Researchers found that the population of northern pike was increasing in a local lake. This fish preys on ducklings, which causes a decrease in the overall duck population. Scientists want to design a solution that will allow the duck population to grow without affecting other organisms in the area. They have a budget of $200,000 and want to see positive results within two years. Four possible solutions are shown in the table below. Solution Description Cost Drawbacks 1 reduce limits on and encourage more northern pike fishing $100,000 possible overfishing beyond new limits 2 collect the northern pike with traps and relocate them $300,000 takes more than three years to complete 3 add predators of northern pike to the lake $120,000 possible disruption of ecosystem balance 4 construct large fenced areas that keep ducklings out $150,000 restricts public access to the lake Which solution would be the best to implement to achieve the scientists' goals? A. solution 3 B. solution 1 C. solution 4 D. solution 2
The best solution to implement to achieve the scientists' goals would be solution 4: construct large fenced areas that keep ducklings out. Solution 4 has a moderate cost, restricts public access to the lake, and does not have any significant drawbacks related to overfishing or disruption of the ecosystem balance. It directly addresses the issue of the pike preying on ducklings and allows the duck population to grow without affecting other organisms in the area.
