Question

Text 1: Many species of migratory birds time their annual migrations to coincide with peak insect availability in their breeding grounds, a crucial food source for their young. Climate change is causing insect populations to peak earlier in the spring, leading to a "trophic mismatch" where birds arrive after the prime feeding window has passed, resulting in lower breeding success.
Text 2: A study of a specific warbler population in a temperate forest shows stable population numbers over the last two decades. The researchers observed that these warblers have a varied diet and are able to successfully forage for other food sources, such as spiders and berries, when insect availability is low. The researchers suggest that dietary flexibility is key to this population's resilience.
Based on the texts, how would the researchers in Text 2 most likely respond to the conclusion that migratory birds are experiencing lower breeding success due to trophic mismatch?
Choose 1 answer:
A. By suggesting that the data on insect availability in Text 1's study area is likely inaccurate.
B. By arguing that the conclusion fails to consider that some bird populations can adapt their diets to alternative food sources.
C. By noting that it overlooks the possibility that some bird populations migrate to areas not yet affected by earlier insect peaks.
D. By asserting that it is incorrect about the overall impact of climate change on bird migration patterns.

Answer 1

B

Text 2 reports that the studied warbler population maintains stable numbers by switching to alternative foods (spiders, berries) when insects are scarce, so the researchers would most likely argue the trophic-mismatch conclusion doesn't account for dietary flexibility in some populations.