Question

3. Infer Describe three effects a sudden decrease of pig frogs have might have on the community struc- ture shown in Figure 26. (Hint: Think about what pig frogs eat and what eats them.) ​

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

1. A decrease in the population of pig frogs would likely reduce the population of the hawks and owls that feed on them. This would decrease the predators of the grasshoppers, and could lead to an overabundance of grasshoppers, resulting in an imbalance of the community structure.

2. A decrease in the population of pig frogs would also reduce the overall amount of food available to the species that feed on them. This could lead to a decrease in the populations of other species such as the snakes, lizards, and foxes, which could further disrupt the balance of the community structure.

3. A decrease in the population of pig frogs could also reduce the amount of nutrients available in the system, as the frogs are a key source of nutrients in the food chain. This could lead to a decrease in the populations of other species, as well as lower amounts of nutrients available to the other species, further disrupting the balance of the community structure.