Question

5 a partial food web is shown below. which of the following will most likely occur if the grouse population decreases? a the butterfly population will increase. b the red - tailed hawk population will increase. c emigration of grizzly bears and deer will increase. d competition between grizzly bears and deer will increase.

Explanation:

Grouse are prey for red - tailed hawks. If grouse population decreases, red - tailed hawks have less food, so their population is likely to decrease, not increase. Grizzly bears and deer don't directly rely on grouse. Grouse eat butterflies. With fewer grouse, there will be less predation on butterflies, so the butterfly population will likely increase.

Answer:

A. The butterfly population will increase.