Question

a science class is studying a forested area near their school. they find english ivy, a non - native species from europe, is now an invasive weed with no natural predators. data shows that the year after ivy first appeared in the forest, the native shrub population declined by half. when people removed the ivy, the native species returned slowly over a five - year period. they claim that the best way to preserve biodiversity is to leave it alone and over time the forest will balance itself out to its natural state. which two assumptions has this group made that are contradicted by the data? a. human intervention in natural ecosystems is always negative. b. ivy has become a problem in this ecosystem because of humans. c. the native forest species may not compete well with invasive species. d. removing invasives can help restore the diversity of the forest ecosystem. e. natural ecosystems will resist the effects of aggressively competitive species.

Explanation:

The data shows that when the invasive ivy was removed, native species returned, which contradicts the idea that human intervention is always negative (A). Also, the native shrub population declined when ivy appeared, showing natural ecosystems may not resist aggressive - competitive species well, contradicting the idea that natural ecosystems will resist such species (E).

Answer:

A. Human intervention in natural ecosystems is always negative
E. Natural ecosystems will resist the effects of aggressively competitive species