To assess the impact of invasive species on ecosystems in Africa, Benis N. Egoh and colleagues reviewed government reports from those nations about how invasive species are undermining ecosystem services (aspects of the ecosystem on which residents depend). The services were sorted into three categories: provisioning (material resources from the ecosystem), regulating (natural processes such as cleaning the air or water), and cultural (nonmaterial benefits of ecosystems). Egoh and her team assert that countries in each region reported effects on provisioning services and that provisioning services represent the majority of the reported services.

Question

Which choice best describes data from the table that support Egoh and colleagues’ assertion?
Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:
(Choice A) Provisioning services represent 73% of the services reported for the West region and 33% of those for the Central region, but they represent 75% of the services reported overall.
A
Provisioning services represent 73% of the services reported for the West region and 33% of those for the Central region, but they represent 75% of the services reported overall.
(Choice B) None of the percentages shown for provisioning services are lower than 33%, and the overall percentage shown for provisioning services is 75%.
B
None of the percentages shown for provisioning services are lower than 33%, and the overall percentage shown for provisioning services is 75%.
(Choice C) Provisioning services are shown for each region, while no cultural services are shown for some regions.
C
Provisioning services are shown for each region, while no cultural services are shown for some regions.
(Choice D) The greatest percentage shown for provisioning services is 88% for the North region, and the least shown for provisioning services is 33% for the Central region.
D
The greatest percentage shown for provisioning services is 88% for the North region, and the least shown for provisioning services is 33% for the Central region.

Answer 1

To determine which choice best supports Egoh and colleagues’ assertion that provisioning services represent the majority of reported services and that each region reported effects on provisioning services, we need to examine each choice:

• Choice A states that provisioning services represent 73% of the services reported for the West region and 33% for the Central region, with an overall representation of 75%. This supports the assertion that provisioning services are significant.

• Choice B asserts that none of the percentages for provisioning services are lower than 33%, and the overall percentage for provisioning services is 75%. This also supports the stated claim but does not provide specific regional details.

• Choice C indicates that provisioning services are shown for each region, while no cultural services are shown for some regions. This supports the notion of provisioning services being consistently reported but does not explicitly quantify their dominance.

• Choice D notes that the highest percentage of provisioning services is 88% for the North region and the lowest is 33% for the Central region. This asserts variability among regions but also confirms provisioning services are significant.

Based on the above analysis, Choice A provides the most direct and relevant data supporting Egoh’s assertion regarding the provisioning services as a majority in reported ecosystem services by specifying both the percentage and the respective regions.

Therefore, the best choice is:

A - Provisioning services represent 73% of the services reported for the West region and 33% of those for the Central region, but they represent 75% of the services reported overall.