Question

an ecologist studies two barnacle species, b. balanoides and c. stellatus. both species attach to rocks in a tidal ecosystem so they can get food from the water. the ecologist wants to maintain biodiversity in this ecosystem, but populations of c. stellatus are declining. the ecologist makes these observations: b. balanoides - is always closer to the water than c. stellatus - has a larger population size than c. stellatus - is larger in diameter than c. stellatus. how should the ecologist test the claim that c. stellatus competes with b. balanoides for location and food? move the missing steps of the investigation to the correct locations in the table. step description 1 count the number of b. balanoides and c. stellatus attached to the tidal rock. 2 measure the height of the highest tide. 3 4 5 6. safely relocate b. balanoides. remove b. balanoides barnacles from the tidal rock. count the number of c. stellatus present on the rock after one year. observe the position of c. stellatus compared to the high tide after one week.

Explanation:

Step1: Initial data - collection

Count the number of B. balanoides and C. stellatus attached to the tidal rock to establish a baseline of the initial population densities of both species on the rock.

Step2: Measure tide - related variable

Measure the height of the highest tide as it can affect the availability of space and food for the species in the inter - tidal zone.

Step3: Manipulate B. balanoides population

Remove B. balanoides barnacles from the tidal rock to create a situation to observe the response of C. stellatus.

Step4: Relocate B. balanoides safely

Safely relocate B. balanoides to avoid killing them and to keep the ecological impact to a minimum while still changing the competitive situation on the rock.

Step5: Observe short - term change

Observe the position of C. stellatus compared to the high tide after one week to see if C. stellatus changes its position in the absence of B. balanoides in the short - term.

Step6: Observe long - term population change

Count the number of C. stellatus present on the rock after one year to determine if the removal of B. balanoides has affected the population size of C. stellatus over a longer period.

Answer:

1. Remove B. balanoides barnacles from the tidal rock.
2. Safely relocate B. balanoides.
3. Observe the position of C. stellatus compared to the high tide after one week.
4. Count the number of C. stellatus present on the rock after one year.