A stream runs through a mountain forest. Willow trees grow on each side of the stream. A small deer population feeds on the willows. Mountain trout rely on the willow shade for shelter. The apex predator in the forest is the mountain lion. The mountain lions primarily eat deer, but also eat rodents, fish, and other prey species. Analyze the components of the ecosystem. What would likely be an early outcome if the mountain lion population vanishes? (1 point) Responses The deer population will decrease the first winter. The deer population will decrease the first winter. The willow tree population will increase the next summer. The willow tree population will increase the next summer. The rodent population will increase within a few months. The rodent population will increase within a few months. The stream will become polluted within a few seasons.

Question

A stream runs through a mountain forest. Willow trees grow on each side of the stream. A small deer population feeds on the willows. Mountain trout rely on the willow shade for shelter. The apex predator in the forest is the mountain lion. The mountain lions primarily eat deer, but also eat rodents, fish, and other prey species.  Analyze the components of the ecosystem. What would likely be an early outcome if the mountain lion population vanishes?  (1 point) Responses  The deer population will decrease the first winter. The deer population will decrease the first winter.  The willow tree population will increase the next summer. The willow tree population will increase the next summer.  The rodent population will increase within a few months. The rodent population will increase within a few months.  The stream will become polluted within a few seasons.

GPT-4o mini · Answer

The most likely early outcome if the mountain lion population vanishes is that the deer population will increase significantly. This increase will occur because there will be fewer natural predators to keep the deer population in check.

As a direct consequence of an increasing deer population, the willow tree population will likely decrease over time due to overgrazing. The higher number of deer will consume more willow leaves, which could lead to stress on the willow trees and potentially reduce their overall growth and reproduction.

While the rodent population may also increase as deer populations rise (more food availability from the willow leaves), the direct and immediate effect of removing the apex predator (mountain lions) is a significant rise in the deer population.

Therefore, of the options provided, the choice concerning the willow tree population increasing next summer is the most relevant to the scenario, as the deer population's increase due to the absence of the mountain lions will lead to overconsumption of the willow trees over time.

In summary, the early impact primarily centers around the increased deer population leading to ecological consequences, which would include the potential for a decreased willow population due to increased grazing.