Use the scenario to answer the following question.
The Virginia Meadowsweet, a plant native to the wetlands of Georgia, is the primary food source for the larvae of the Spring Azure Butterfly. The Virginia Meadowsweet plant population is becoming endangered due to the clearing of the wetlands for farming and construction. Many environmentalists claim that this disturbance will affect other populations in the ecosystem.
Which argument BEST supports the environmentalists’ claim?
As the Virginia Meadowsweet plant population decreases, the butterfly population will increase because the butterflies’ predators are being killed off as more land is cleared.
As the Virginia Meadowsweet plant population decreases, the butterfly population will decrease because the butterflies’ predators are being killed off as more land is cleared.
As the Virginia Meadowsweet plant population decreases, the
butterfly population will increase because the larvae will not have enough food to sustain their current population.
As the Virginia Meadowsweet plant population decreases, the butterfly population will decrease because the butterflies’ predators are being killed off as more land is cleared.
This argument supports the environmentalists' claim by explaining how the decrease in the plant population will have a negative impact on the butterfly population due to factors such as loss of habitat and disruption of the food chain.