Describe how this pesticide treatment could affect the number of animals in a terrestrial food web associated with the soybean fields.

Answer 1

The pesticide treatment would likely have a negative impact on the number of animals in the terrestrial food web associated with the soybean fields.

Firstly, the pesticide may directly kill certain insect species that are part of the food web, such as pollinators or natural predators of pest insects. This would disrupt the balance of the food chain and lead to reduced populations of animals that rely on those insects as a food source.

Additionally, the pesticide could also affect the animals higher up in the food chain that consume the insects that have been exposed to the pesticide. These animals may suffer from poisoning or reduced food availability, leading to decreased populations.

Overall, the pesticide treatment would likely result in a decrease in biodiversity and overall abundance of animals in the terrestrial food web associated with the soybean fields.