Question
Below is a diagram of a food web in the Everglades in Florida. Study the diagram to answer the question.
If alligators were to go extinct, which of the following would likely happen?
a
The bird population would decrease, resulting in an increased snail population.
b
The bird population would increase, resulting in a decreased snake population.
c
The snake population would increase, resulting in an increased large fish population.
d
The large fish population would increase, resulting in a decreased small fish population.
If alligators were to go extinct, which of the following would likely happen?
a
The bird population would decrease, resulting in an increased snail population.
b
The bird population would increase, resulting in a decreased snake population.
c
The snake population would increase, resulting in an increased large fish population.
d
The large fish population would increase, resulting in a decreased small fish population.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
If alligators were to go extinct in the Everglades ecosystem, they would have a significant impact on the food web. Alligators are apex predators and help to maintain the balance of populations of various species in their habitat.
Considering the options:
1. **Option a**: The bird population would decrease, resulting in an increased snail population. This is unlikely, as the removal of alligators would typically allow for an increase in other predator species, which may help control snail populations.
2. **Option b**: The bird population would increase, resulting in a decreased snake population. This is a possible scenario since birds may have more resources without alligators preying on them, but it's not immediately clear how this directly affects snake populations.
3. **Option c**: The snake population would increase, resulting in an increased large fish population. This is unlikely because if snakes increase, they would likely predate on fish, assuming they feed on them.
4. **Option d**: The large fish population would increase, resulting in a decreased small fish population. This option suggests a trophic cascade effect where the absence of alligators would allow other predators like large fish to thrive, leading to reduced populations of small fish due to predation.
Based on these evaluations, **Option a** or **Option d** seem likely. However, given the typical dynamics in food webs and predator-prey relationships, **Option d** is the most plausible outcome.
**Therefore, the best answer is: d. The large fish population would increase, resulting in a decreased small fish population.**
Considering the options:
1. **Option a**: The bird population would decrease, resulting in an increased snail population. This is unlikely, as the removal of alligators would typically allow for an increase in other predator species, which may help control snail populations.
2. **Option b**: The bird population would increase, resulting in a decreased snake population. This is a possible scenario since birds may have more resources without alligators preying on them, but it's not immediately clear how this directly affects snake populations.
3. **Option c**: The snake population would increase, resulting in an increased large fish population. This is unlikely because if snakes increase, they would likely predate on fish, assuming they feed on them.
4. **Option d**: The large fish population would increase, resulting in a decreased small fish population. This option suggests a trophic cascade effect where the absence of alligators would allow other predators like large fish to thrive, leading to reduced populations of small fish due to predation.
Based on these evaluations, **Option a** or **Option d** seem likely. However, given the typical dynamics in food webs and predator-prey relationships, **Option d** is the most plausible outcome.
**Therefore, the best answer is: d. The large fish population would increase, resulting in a decreased small fish population.**