Consider a field where many plants are specifically pollinated by bees. If there was a sudden increase in the population of a bee predator, such as the dragonfly, we might observe a reduction in the bee population, which would lead to reduced pollination. Select the most likely outcome of this change in the ecosystem.

Question

Wind will pollinate plants in this area

Plants that were bee-pollinated will attract new insect pollinators

Bees will start to avoid this area because of predation

The plant community will become smaller and less diverse

Answer 1

The most likely outcome of the reduction in the bee population due to an increase in their predator population (such as dragonflies) is:

The plant community will become smaller and less diverse.

This is because many plants rely specifically on bees for pollination. If the bee population decreases, those plants may experience reduced pollination success, leading to lower reproduction rates and ultimately a decline in their populations. This decline can result in a less diverse plant community since bee-pollinated plants may constitute a significant portion of the ecosystem's flora. The other options, while possible, are less likely outcomes of the described scenario.