A student is analyzing data that compare the change in the total number of wading bird nests in the Everglades to the change in rainfall. Wading birds feed primarily on fish. Fewer nests were observed in dry years than wet years.

Question

What is a reasonable inference about the relationship between wading bird reproductive success and water depth in the Everglades?

(1 point)
Responses

Water depth does not affect wading birds’ access to food and thus does not affect wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth does not affect wading birds’ access to food and thus does not affect wading birds’ reproductive success.

Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food and thus affects wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food and thus affects wading birds’ reproductive success.

Water depth does not affect wading birds’ access to food but does affect wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth does not affect wading birds’ access to food but does affect wading birds’ reproductive success.

Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food, but this does not affect wading birds’ reproductive success.

Answer 1

Based on the information provided, the reasonable inference about the relationship between wading bird reproductive success and water depth in the Everglades is:

Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food and thus affects wading birds’ reproductive success.

This inference is supported by the observation that fewer nests were recorded in dry years, which suggests a correlation between water depth (and resulting food availability) and the reproductive success of wading birds.