The brown tree snake is an invasive species in the island of Guam. The brown tree snake feeds mainly on birds and other animals' eggs (birds and reptiles). The rapid increase of brown tree snakes has caused the extinction of several bird species. These birds mainly fed on insects. The brown tree snake does not have a natural predator.

Question

Which of the following is an impact that the brown tree snake has on the ecosystem in Guam?
(1 point)
Responses

The fungi population will increase slightly.
The fungi population will increase slightly.
The small plant population will increase drastically.
The small plant population will increase drastically.
The population of other reptiles will increase slightly.
The population of other reptiles will increase slightly.
The insect population will increase drastically.

Answer 1

The correct response to the impact that the brown tree snake has on the ecosystem in Guam is:

The insect population will increase drastically.

This is because the brown tree snake preys on birds that feed on insects. As bird populations decline due to predation by the brown tree snake, the populations of insects that those birds would typically control will increase.