Question

Saltmarsh sparrows nest in marshes near the ocean. If the tide is very high, it will wash over the nest and kill the eggs or nestlings. Normally, most offspring survive because the sparrows lay their eggs at a time of year with lowest tides. Due to climate change, though, even the lowest tides are now washing over many sparrows' nests. What would a current demographic graph of this group of sparrows look like?

1) a
2) b
3) c

Answer 1

A current demographic graph of saltmarsh sparrows in the region would likely show a decline in the population and a decrease in the number of offspring due to the increased frequency of high tides washing over nests and killing eggs or nestlings.

Step-by-step explanation:

A current demographic graph of saltmarsh sparrows in the region would likely show a decline in the population and a decrease in the number of offspring. This is due to the increased frequency of high tides washing over nests and killing eggs or nestlings. With climate change causing even the lowest tides to reach the nests, the sparrows' reproductive success is declining, leading to a negative impact on their population.

A demographic graph of Saltmarsh sparrows affected by climate-induced high tides would show a population decline, with fewer successful nests and lower offspring survival rates.

If the Saltmarsh sparrows are experiencing increased nest flooding due to higher tides driven by climate change, we would expect to see a decline in their population. A current demographic graph of this sparrow population would likely show a downward trend, reflecting a decrease in successful nesting and lower survival rates of offspring. If this trend continues over time, the population could experience serious decline, potentially leading to local extinctions unless the sparrows adapt to the changes or relocate to more suitable habitats.