Question

In a certain forest, elephants and deer were feeding on certain types of plants. This plant community was larger than the elephant or deer population. However, due to extensive logging in that area, the number of plants declined. This impacted the availability of food for the elephants and the deer. The elephants started overpowering the deer for food and eventually, the deer started disappearing from the forest. What does the disappearance of deer indicate?

Answer 1

The correct answer is

C. competitive exclusion

Answer 2

The disappearance of the deer from the forest indicates the EXTINCTION OF THE DEER.
The extinction of the deer from the forest will throw the ecosystem out of balance and has negative impacts on the ecosystem. After all the deer has been eliminated, the elephants too will either have to find another source of food or be wiped out.