Biological Factors Quick Check
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Question
How did the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park affect the beaver population?(1 point)
Responses
The wolves decreased the population by eating beavers.
T he wolves decreased the population by eating beavers.
The wolves increased the population by eating a competitor.
T he wolves increased the population by eating a competitor.
The wolves decreased the population by eating beavers’ prey.
T he wolves decreased the population by eating beavers’ prey.
The wolves increased the population by eating beavers’ predators.
, T he wolves , increased the population by eating beavers ’ predators.
Why did the wolves throw a party for the beavers? Because they wanted to increase the population by eating a competitor!
The correct response is: The wolves decreased the population by eating beavers' prey.
To answer this question, we need to understand the concept of trophic cascades and the relationship between wolves, beavers, and their prey. Here is how you can analyze the options to arrive at the correct answer:
1. The wolves decreased the population by eating beavers:
This option suggests that wolves directly reduced the beaver population by preying on them. While this can be a possibility, it is not the best answer since it doesn't account for the complex ecological interactions that occur in an ecosystem.
2. The wolves increased the population by eating a competitor:
This option suggests that wolves increased the beaver population by reducing the population of a competitor species. While wolves hunting and decreasing the number of a competing species may indirectly benefit beavers, it doesn't directly explain the effect on the beaver population.
3. The wolves decreased the population by eating beavers' prey:
This option suggests that wolves indirectly reduced the beaver population by consuming their prey. This answer aligns with the concept of trophic cascades, where the wolves' presence can decrease the population of beavers' prey, leading to lower availability of food for beavers and potentially impacting their population.
4. The wolves increased the population by eating beavers' predators:
This option suggests that wolves increased the beaver population by preying on their predators. While this could indirectly benefit beavers by reducing predation pressure, it doesn't provide a direct explanation for the relationship between wolves and the beaver population.
Considering the explanations provided, the option that best aligns with the effects of reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone National Park on the beaver population would be: "The wolves decreased the population by eating beavers’ prey."