Question

The food chain below shows the original feeding relationships of four different organisms in a rural environment. After a time, the rat population grew too large. To reduce the rat population, local farmers introduced cats, which are efficient predators of rats. The plan was successful, and the rat population began to decrease. Which of the following populations will most likely decline as a result of decreased food availability? A) The snake population only B) The snake, rat, and insect populations C) The rat population only D) The insect population only

Answer 1

If the rat population decreases, it will most likely cause a decline in the snake population as they directly depend on the rats for food. Therefore, the correct answer is 'A) The snake population only'.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the question, if the rat population, which serves as an intermediary in the food chain, decreases, it will impact the organisms that are dependent on them for their survival. In this case, this is particularly referring to the snake population. As per the principle of predator-prey dynamics, if the availability of prey (rats) decreases, then the population of predators (snakes) that rely on them for food will likely decrease as well. Therefore, the correct answer would be 'A) The snake population only' as they will experience a decline due to decreased food availability initiated by the reduction of the rat population.

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