Panthers and pumas preyon a type of deer in a region. The deer feed on vegetation in the region. What outcome could occur if the panthers and puma are killed by humans?
a. The deerpopulation will decrease,allowing thevegetation to become overgrown.
b. The deer population will increase, and will strip the region of vegatation*****
c. The deer population will be stabilized by local vegatation.
d. The deer population will cycle between high and low numbers until a new predator moves into the region
Agree
To determine the outcome if the panthers and pumas are killed by humans, we can consider the ecological relationship between the predators (panthers and pumas), their prey (deer), and the vegetation in the region.
If the panthers and pumas are removed from the ecosystem by humans, it would disrupt the natural balance and have potential consequences.
The most likely outcome in this scenario would be a significant increase in the deer population (option b). Without the predators to control their numbers, the deer population would no longer face the same level of predation pressure. Consequently, the population would likely grow rapidly, leading to an overabundance of deer in the region.
With an increased deer population, the vegetation in the region would be at risk (option b). As the deer feed on vegetation, an excessive number of deer would have a greater impact on the available food source. They would consume more vegetation, potentially leading to overgrazing and damaging the plant community in the region.
Therefore, the most probable outcome when panthers and pumas are removed is that the deer population would increase and strip the region of vegetation (option b). This situation is known as overbrowsing, and it can have detrimental effects on the balance of the ecosystem.
It's important to note that specific ecological interactions can vary in different ecosystems, and it's advisable to consider specific factors for any given region.