group of researchers are assessing energy availability in a terrestrial ecosystem. The image shows the food web for this ecosystem. They set up three plots and assess the biomass of producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers. Rabbits and grasshoppers feed on ground cover plants that grow on the forest floor. Plot 1 is composed of mature hardwood trees, and only 25% of the sunlight reaches the shrubs and grasses compared to plots 2 and 3, which have fewer trees and allow more sunlight to reach the forest floor. Based on the food web shown here, which of the following best describes how the reduction in sunlight to the forest floor would impact the number of primary consumers (squirrel, grasshopper, rabbit, and deer) in plot 1 compared to the other plots? A - Plot 1 will show an increase in deer only because they feed on trees. B - Plot 1 will show a decrease in squirrels and rabbits, while deer and grasshoppers will increase. C - Plot 1 will show a decrease in rabbits and grasshoppers, while squirrels and deer will increase. D - Plot 1 will show a decrease in all primary consumers because of the lack of sunlight reaching the grass and shrubs.

Biology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (MindTap Course List)
5th Edition
ISBN:9781305117396
Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Chapter15: Animal Evolution
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 4SQ
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A group of researchers are assessing energy availability in a terrestrial ecosystem. The image shows the food web for this ecosystem. They set up three plots and assess the biomass of producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers. Rabbits and grasshoppers feed on ground cover plants that grow on the forest floor. Plot 1 is composed of mature hardwood trees, and only 25% of the sunlight reaches the shrubs and grasses compared to plots 2 and 3, which have fewer trees and allow more sunlight to reach the forest floor.

Based on the food web shown here, which of the following best describes how the reduction in sunlight to the forest floor would impact the number of primary consumers (squirrel, grasshopper, rabbit, and deer) in plot 1 compared to the other plots?

A - Plot 1 will show an increase in deer only because they feed on trees.


B - Plot 1 will show a decrease in squirrels and rabbits, while deer and grasshoppers will increase.


C - Plot 1 will show a decrease in rabbits and grasshoppers, while squirrels and deer will increase.


D - Plot 1 will show a decrease in all primary consumers because of the lack of sunlight reaching the grass and shrubs.

Mountain lion
Hawk
Snake
Insect-
Shrew
eating bird
Deer
Rabbit
Squirrel
Grasshopper
Tree
Shrub
Grass
Fungus
Transcribed Image Text:Mountain lion Hawk Snake Insect- Shrew eating bird Deer Rabbit Squirrel Grasshopper Tree Shrub Grass Fungus
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