Question

Which of the following is an example of competition that could be found in a forest?

A. deer eat berries and their droppings seed new areas creating more berry bushes

B. lack of sunlight due to changes in the seasons restricts the growth of certain plants

C. two hawk populations utilize the same scorpion population as their main food source

D. two fox populations utilize the same rabbit population as their main food source

Answer 1

The correct example of competition in a forest is two fox populations competing for the same rabbit population source, as this directly represents interspecific competition affecting population dynamics.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the options given, the one that serves as an example of competition in a forest ecosystem is:

• D. two fox populations utilize the same rabbit population as their main food source.

This scenario represents direct competition for food, a limited resource, between two populations of predators. According to the principles of ecology, in interspecific competition, when two different species compete for the same critical resources within an environment, one will often outcompete the other, leading to better reproductive success and survival rates of the winning species. The other species may need to adapt, relocate, or face decreased population numbers. This is a classic case of competition affecting the population dynamics of species within a forest community.

Answer 2

Both of these answers make sense.

C. two hawk populations utilize the same scorpion population as their main food source

D. two fox populations utilize the same rabbit population as their main food source

Hope this helps!