which of these is an inference about black-and-white ruffed lemurs?

Question

a the lemurs need to be protected by the Endangered Species Act
b madagascar needs to be reforested in order to create more habitat for the lemurs
c lemur populations will continue to decline if they are not protected
d protecting the lemurs will create economic hardship for people who rely on logging for income

Answer 1

All of the statements provided are inferences or conclusions that could be drawn regarding black-and-white ruffed lemurs, but they differ in terms of their specific focus:

• a suggests a need for legal protection, which can be an inference drawn from the species' conservation status.
• b implies a need for habitat restoration, which is an inference that can arise from the lemurs' reliance on forested habitats.
• c indicates a prediction about population trends based on current threats, which is a common inference in conservation biology.
• d presents a socio-economic inference, showing a potential conflict between conservation efforts and local economic activities.

If we analyze which options are direct inferences about the lemurs themselves rather than broader socioeconomic implications, c is a straightforward inference regarding the lemurs: "lemur populations will continue to decline if they are not protected."

In summary, all listed options could be seen as inferences, but c directly connects the status of lemur populations to the need for protection, making it a clear choice.