Question

Jeff finds a pond during a nature walk and he has some questions based on his observations of the pond. Which question can he answer through scientific investigation?

A. Which organisms are part of the food web in the pond?
B. How much money should be spent to make the pond more active?
C. Which pine animal would make the best pets?
D. Which plants in the pond are the prettiest in summer?

Answer 1

Jeff can scientifically investigate which organisms are part of the food web in the pond, construct a food web diagram, and predict changes to the ecosystem if an organism is removed.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the questions Jeff has about the pond, the one he can answer through scientific investigation is A. Which organisms are part of the food web in the pond? By observing the pond, collecting samples, and researching, Jeff can identify the different organisms and their relationships within the pond's ecosystem. This will allow him to construct a diagram of the food web, showing how matter and energy flow between producers, consumers, and decomposers. Removing an organism from the diagram can help Jeff predict changes to the ecosystem, such as if a primary consumer is removed, the producers may overpopulate, or if a top predator is removed, there may be an increase in the population sizes of organisms lower in the web. These investigations of the aquatic ecosystem would incorporate understanding trophic levels and the role of each organism in the web.