Question

a the moss population would decrease because they receive benefits from the trees.
b the moss population would increase because there would be other trees in the ecosystem.
c the moss population would increase because there would be more light in the ecosystem.
d the moss population would decrease because there would be less competition for resources.

Explanation:

To determine the effect on moss population (assuming trees are removed, a common ecological context), moss often grows in shaded areas under trees but also competes for light. If trees are removed (implied by the options' logic about light/competition), more light becomes available. Option A: Moss benefits from trees (e.g., shade, moisture retention), so removing trees would decrease moss—this is plausible. Option B: Other trees don’t directly explain moss increase. Option C: More light—moss typically thrives in shade, so more light might harm, not help. Option D: Less competition for resources (like light) would likely increase, not decrease, moss, so D is illogical. Option A’s reasoning (moss benefits from trees, so tree removal → moss decrease) aligns with ecological relationships (trees provide microhabitat, moisture, shade; removing them disrupts this).

Answer:

A. The moss population would decrease because they receive benefits from the trees.