QUESTION IMAGE
Question
fill in table to describe what happens to each population as a result of the cane toad introduction. table columns: population (sugar cane beetle, cane toad, kookaburra birds, snakes, dogs), effect on population, why?; dogs row has “decrease” and partial “the toad was pois...”
Response
To solve this, we analyze the ecological impacts of cane toads on each population:
Sugar Cane Beetle
- Effect on Population: Decrease
- Why?: Cane toads were introduced to control sugar cane beetles (their prey), so predation reduces beetle numbers.
Cane Toad
- Effect on Population: Increase
- Why?: No natural predators (initially) and ample prey (beetles) allow exponential growth.
Kookaburra Birds
- Effect on Population: Decrease
- Why?: Kookaburras may eat cane toads, but cane toads are toxic. This poisoning reduces kookaburra populations.
Snakes
- Effect on Population: Decrease
- Why?: Snakes that prey on toads are poisoned by cane toad toxins, leading to population decline.
Dogs
- Effect on Population: Decrease
- Why?: Dogs may attempt to eat cane toads and are poisoned by their toxins, reducing dog populations (in areas with toads).
| Population | Effect on Population | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Cane Toad | Increase | No natural predators (early) + abundant food (beetles) = growth. |
| Kookaburra birds | Decrease | Eat toxic cane toads → poisoning reduces their numbers. |
| Snakes | Decrease | Predate on toads → poisoned by toad toxins. |
| Dogs | Decrease | May eat toads → poisoned by toad toxins (in toad - inhabited areas). |
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To solve this, we analyze the ecological impacts of cane toads on each population:
Sugar Cane Beetle
- Effect on Population: Decrease
- Why?: Cane toads were introduced to control sugar cane beetles (their prey), so predation reduces beetle numbers.
Cane Toad
- Effect on Population: Increase
- Why?: No natural predators (initially) and ample prey (beetles) allow exponential growth.
Kookaburra Birds
- Effect on Population: Decrease
- Why?: Kookaburras may eat cane toads, but cane toads are toxic. This poisoning reduces kookaburra populations.
Snakes
- Effect on Population: Decrease
- Why?: Snakes that prey on toads are poisoned by cane toad toxins, leading to population decline.
Dogs
- Effect on Population: Decrease
- Why?: Dogs may attempt to eat cane toads and are poisoned by their toxins, reducing dog populations (in areas with toads).
| Population | Effect on Population | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Cane Toad | Increase | No natural predators (early) + abundant food (beetles) = growth. |
| Kookaburra birds | Decrease | Eat toxic cane toads → poisoning reduces their numbers. |
| Snakes | Decrease | Predate on toads → poisoned by toad toxins. |
| Dogs | Decrease | May eat toads → poisoned by toad toxins (in toad - inhabited areas). |