Question

a meadow ecosystem includes many species of grasses and small shrubs, several herbivores, and a few carnivores. a fungus colonizes the meadow and kills most of its vegetation. what is most likely to happen to the populations of herbivores and carnivores in the ecosystem?
a. the populations of herbivores and carnivores will remain stable because the fungus cannot infect these organisms.

b. the populations of herbivores will decrease because of vegetation loss, but the population of carnivores will remain stable.

c. the populations of herbivores and carnivores will increase because there will be less competition for chemical energy.

d. the populations of herbivores and carnivores will decline because less chemical energy will be stored in the ecosystem.

Explanation:

In an ecosystem, producers (vegetation) are the base of the food chain, providing chemical energy. If a fungus kills most vegetation, the herbivores (who eat plants) will have less food, so their population decreases. Carnivores, who eat herbivores, will then also have less food, leading to a decline in their population too, as there's less chemical energy stored (since producers are reduced). Option A is wrong as populations won't stay stable. Option B is wrong because carnivores depend on herbivores, so their population won't stay stable. Option C is wrong because with less vegetation, competition for energy increases, not decreases, and populations can't increase.

Answer:

D. The populations of herbivores and carnivores will decline because less chemical energy will be stored in the ecosystem.