Question

The image shows a food web in a desert ecosystem. Red-tailed hawks are an apex consumer in this ecosystem.

What is most likely to happen to the ecosystem if red-tailed hawks are removed ?

A)the populations of grasshopper mice and antelope squirrels would increase because of decreased predation by western diamondback rattlesnakes.
B)the ecosystem would collapse because its energy would be exhausted by increasing populations of western-diamondback rattlesnakes and elf owls.
C)the populations of brittlebrush would decrease because of increased predation by pallid-winged grasshoppers and mantids.
D)the ecosystem would remain stable because the red-tailed hawk would be replaced by increasing populations of elf owls as apex consumers.

Answer 1

Answer:The correct answer is A). The ecosystem would remain stable because the red-tailed hawk would be replaced by increasing populations of elf owls as apex consumers.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

The correct answer is D). The ecosystem would remain stable because the red-tailed hawk would be replaced by increasing populations of elf owls as apex consumers.

Food web is the network of different food chains operate in any ecosystem. A food chains consists of producer and different consumers. Apex predators (top carnivores) are top consumers. In a given image of food web of a desert ecosystem, red-tailed hawks are an apex consumer. If red-tailed hawks are removed from the given food web, the populations of elf owls will increase due to unavailable their predator and elf owls will become apex consumers and the ecosystem would remain stable.