Question

In the 1400s, the Easter Island palm became extinct due to overharvesting. Reproduction was nearly impossible because islanders introduced rats when they first arrived. These rats ate the Easter Island palm seeds, preventing the Easter Island palm from flourishing. With the disappearance of the palm, the islanders could no longer build the boats they needed for fishing.

Which of the following would NOT result from the loss of the Eastern Island palm?

a decrease in the temperature, leading to decreased biodiversity


the erosion of topsoil, leading to decreased crop production


an increase in the islanders' consumption of land and migratory birds, resulting in a decrease in the bird population


the loss of pollinating birds to the island, resulting in a decrease in the variety of plant life on the island

Answer 1

"a decrease in the temperature, leading to decreased biodiversity" — this would NOT result.

Loss of the palms would more likely increase temperature extremes and reduce humidity (not lower temperatures). The other effects — topsoil erosion and reduced crops, greater reliance on birds causing population declines, and loss of bird pollinators reducing plant variety — are plausible consequences.