Question

Peter says that apex predators play the most important role in balancing ecosystems because they keep the sizes of prey populations under control. What is the BEST evidence that Lihua can use to argue that another type of organism is equally important?

A.
Decomposers turn organic waste into useful nutrients.
B.
Secondary consumers have larger populations than apex predators.
C.
Primary consumers transform plant matter into animal matter.
D.
Producers are the basis for both food chains and food pyramids.

Answer 1

Lihua can use option D as the BEST evidence to argue that another type of organism is equally important.

Step-by-step explanation:

Producers, such as plants, form the foundation of the food chain and are essential for the survival of all other organisms in the ecosystem. Without producers, there would be no energy input into the system, and all other organisms, including apex predators, would eventually die off. Therefore, while apex predators may help control the size of prey populations, they are not the most important organisms in balancing ecosystems.