A student is analyzing data that compare the change in the total number of wading bird nests in the Everglades to the change in rainfall. Wading birds feed primarily on fish. Fewer nests were observed in dry years than wet years.
What is a reasonable inference about the relationship between wading bird reproductive success and water depth in the Everglades?
(1 point)
Responses
Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food, but this does not affect wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food, but this does not affect wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food and thus affects wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food and thus affects wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth does not affect wading birds’ access to food and thus does not affect wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth does not affect wading birds’ access to food and thus does not affect wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth does not affect wading birds’ access to food but does affect wading birds’ reproductive success
Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food and thus affects wading birds’ reproductive success.
To infer the relationship between wading bird reproductive success and water depth in the Everglades, we need to analyze the data comparing the change in the total number of wading bird nests to the change in rainfall.
Based on the given information that fewer nests were observed in dry years than wet years, we can make the following reasonable inference:
Water depth likely affects wading birds' access to food and thus affects wading birds' reproductive success.
Here's how we arrive at this inference:
1. The fact that fewer nests were observed in dry years than wet years suggests that there is some relationship between the availability of nests and environmental factors, such as water depth and rainfall.
2. Wading birds feed primarily on fish, which are more abundant in wetter conditions. In dry years, the reduced water depth could limit the wading birds' access to fish, their main food source.
3. If wading birds have limited access to food, it can have a direct impact on their reproductive success. Insufficient food supply can lead to decreased breeding success, lower fledgling survival rates, and overall reduced reproductive success.
Therefore, the reasonable inference is that water depth likely affects wading birds' access to food and thus affects their reproductive success.
The correct response is:
Water depth likely affects wading birds' access to food and thus affects wading birds' reproductive success.
The reasonable inference about the relationship between wading bird reproductive success and water depth in the Everglades is:
Water depth likely affects wading birds' access to food and thus affects wading birds' reproductive success.