A student is analyzing data that compare the change in the total number of wading bird nests in the Everglades to the change in rainfall. Wading birds feed primarily on fish. Fewer nests were observed in dry years than wet years.

Question

What is a reasonable inference about the relationship between wading bird reproductive success and water depth in the Everglades?

Responses

Water depth does not affect wading birds’ access to food and thus does not affect wading birds’ reproductive success
Water depth does not affect wading birds’ access to food and thus does not affect wading birds’ reproductive success

Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food and thus affects wading birds’ reproductive success
Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food and thus affects wading birds’ reproductive success

Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food, but this does not affect wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food, but this does not affect wading birds’ reproductive success.

Water depth does not affect wading birds’ access to food but does affect wading birds’ reproductive success

Answer 1

The most reasonable inference based on the information provided is:

Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food and thus affects wading birds’ reproductive success.

This conclusion aligns with the observations that fewer nests were recorded in dry years, which suggests that reduced water depth may limit the availability of fish and consequently impact the wading birds’ ability to feed effectively and successfully reproduce.