A population of sagebrush lives in a grassland ecosystem. Over several years, erosion causes the soil of the grassland to have an increasing amount of sand in it. The data below was collected by scientists studying the ecosystem.
Year Percentage of
Sand in Soil Average Height of
Sagebrush (meters) Number of
Sagebrush Plants
1 38 1.15 120
2 42 1.16 129
3 45 1.14 137
4 51 1.15 145
If the soil is 53% sand next year, which of the following statements is the most likely prediction?
A.
The average height of the sagebrush will decrease.
B.
The average height of the sagebrush will increase.
C.
The size of the sagebrush population will increase.