Review the chart, which shows the population sizes of three African animals in 1990 and in 2000.
Population Estimates of Animals in Africa in 1990 and in 2000
1990
2000
Lions
100,000
47,000
Cheetahs
50,000
7,500
Zebras
15,000
2,500
Which explanation is best supported by the numbers in the chart?
Lion and cheetah populations compete for the food source of zebras, and lions outcompete cheetahs.
The dwindling zebra population has led to the decline of the predator lion and cheetah populations.
Overhunting of lion and cheetah populations has led to a decline in the food source population.
Lion and cheetah populations compete for the food source of zebras, and cheetahs outcompete lions.
1 answer
The best explanation supported by the numbers in the chart is: Overhunting of lion and cheetah populations has led to a decline in the food source population. This is evident by the significant decrease in the lion and cheetah populations from 1990 to 2000, while the zebra population also experienced a sharp decline during the same period. This suggests that overhunting of lions and cheetahs has had a negative impact on the zebra population, leading to a decline in their numbers as well.