Dutch elm disease is a disease that affects elm trees and is caused by a fungal species that infects the vascular systems of the tree. Over time, the fungus will spread through the vascular tissue and eventually result in a complete blockage that prohibits water and nutrient transport in the tree.

Question

Dutch elm disease is most commonly spread by elm bark beetles that can carry fungal spores on their body. When an infected beetle lands on a healthy elm tree to feed, the tree can become infected by the spores. As beetles move from tree to tree, more of the elm population can become infected

Suppose a forested area has many tree species, including elms. Elm bark beetles carrying the fungus that causes Dutch elm disease are accidentally introduced into the area by humans. The elm bark beetle population flourishes because of a lack of natural predators

What will most likely happen over time as the elm bark beetle population grows?

A. The death rate of the elm tree population will increase, causing an overall decrease in the elm tree population

B. The death rate of the eim tree population will decrease, causing an overall increase in the elm tree population

C. The death rate of the elm tree population will increase but the reproduction rate will increase by the same amount.

D. Many elm trees will become infected, but the population of elm trees will remain relatively stable.

Answer 1

A. The death rate of the elm tree population will increase, causing an overall decrease in the elm tree population.

As the elm bark beetle population grows and continues to infect elm trees with the fungus that causes Dutch elm disease, the rate of infection and subsequent death of elm trees will likely increase. This will lead to a decline in the overall elm tree population in the forested area over time.