Question

ASAP 20 POINTS

In Pennsylvania, a invasive plant called stiltgrass out-competes native plants in many forest ecosystems. Which statement best describes how the spread of stiltgrass negatively affects native herbivores?

Stiltgrass stops the life cycles of native herbivores.

Stiltgrass reduces the size of the native plant populations.

Stiltgrass increases the flow of energy through the ecosystem.

Stiltgrass attracts other invasive plants to the forest ecosystem.

Answer 1

The best statement that describes how the spread of stiltgrass negatively affects native herbivores is: "Stiltgrass reduces the size of the native plant populations." When stiltgrass out-competes native plants, it reduces the availability of resources for native herbivores, leading to reduced foraging opportunities, which in turn could lead to population declines or extirpation of native herbivores.