How would reducing low growing plants from an area impact of population population of tortoises with two variations of neck extension, ability, short, and long distance
Reducing low growing plants from an area could have different impacts on the population of tortoises with short and long neck extensions.
1. Short neck extension tortoises:
- Short neck extension tortoises rely more on low growing plants for food as they have limited reach with their shorter necks. Therefore, reducing low growing plants could lead to a decrease in food availability for these tortoises.
- This decrease in food availability may result in malnutrition, stunted growth, and decreased reproductive success among short neck extension tortoises.
- As a result, the population of tortoises with short neck extensions may decline due to reduced food resources.
2. Long neck extension tortoises:
- Long neck extension tortoises have the advantage of being able to reach higher vegetation with their longer necks, so they may be less affected by the reduction of low growing plants.
- These tortoises may be able to adapt and shift their feeding habits to focus on higher vegetation or other food sources in the area.
- The population of tortoises with long neck extensions may remain stable or even increase in the absence of competition for food from short neck extension tortoises.
Overall, the impact of reducing low growing plants on the population of tortoises with different variations of neck extension ability would likely be more severe for tortoises with short neck extensions due to their limited feeding range. Long neck extension tortoises may be better equipped to cope with changes in food availability and may be able to survive and reproduce more successfully in the altered environment.