Read the passage "Easter Island Palm."
EASTER ISLAND PALM
In the 1400s, the Easter Island palm became extinct due to overharvesting. Reproduction was nearly impossible because islanders introduced rats when they first arrived. These rats ate the Easter Island palm seeds, preventing the Easter Island palm from flourishing. With the disappearance of the palm, the islanders could no longer build the boats they needed for fishing.
Which of the following would NOT result from the loss of the Eastern Island palm?
A.
an increase in the islanders' consumption of land and migratory birds, resulting in a decrease in the bird population
B.
the loss of pollinating birds to the island, resulting in a decrease in the variety of plant life on the island
C.
a decrease in the temperature, leading to decreased biodiversity
D.
the erosion of topsoil, leading to decreased crop production
C. a decrease in the temperature, leading to decreased biodiversity
From the passage, we learn that the loss of the Easter Island palm led to the inability of the islanders to build boats needed for fishing. Therefore, the answer choice that does NOT result from the loss of the Easter Island palm is C. a decrease in the temperature, leading to decreased biodiversity
To figure out which of the following options would NOT result from the loss of the Easter Island palm, we need to analyze each choice and see if it aligns with the effects mentioned in the passage.
Option A states that the loss of the Easter Island palm would result in an increase in the islanders' consumption of land and migratory birds, leading to a decrease in the bird population. This aligns with the passage because it states that without the palm, the islanders could no longer build boats for fishing. If they can't fish, they would need to find alternative food sources, potentially consuming more land and birds.
Option B suggests that the loss of the Easter Island palm would result in the loss of pollinating birds, leading to a decrease in the variety of plant life on the island. This aligns with the passage because without the pollinating birds, cross-pollination would decrease, affecting the variety of plant life.
Option C states that the loss of the palm would lead to a decrease in temperature, resulting in decreased biodiversity. This is not mentioned in the passage, so we cannot conclude that this would be a direct effect of the loss of the palm.
Option D suggests that the loss of the palm would cause the erosion of topsoil, leading to decreased crop production. This is not directly mentioned in the passage, so we cannot conclude that this would be a direct effect of the loss of the palm.
Therefore, option C, a decrease in temperature leading to decreased biodiversity, does NOT result from the loss of the Easter Island palm according to the information given in the passage.