A student is analyzing data that compare the change in the total number of wading bird nests in the Everglades to the change in rainfall. Wading birds feed primarily on fish. Fewer nests were observed in dry years than wet years.
What is a reasonable inference about the relationship between wading bird reproductive success and water depth in the Everglades?
(1 point)
Responses
Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food, but this does not affect wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food, but this does not affect wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food and thus affects wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food and thus affects wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth does not affect wading birds’ access to food but does affect wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth does not affect wading birds’ access to food but does affect wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth does not affect wading birds’ access to food and thus does not affect wading birds’ reproductive success.
Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food and thus affects wading birds’ reproductive success.
The correct answer is:
Water depth likely affects wading birds’ access to food and thus affects wading birds’ reproductive success.
To determine a reasonable inference about the relationship between wading bird reproductive success and water depth in the Everglades, we can look at the given information.
The data shows that fewer wading bird nests were observed in dry years compared to wet years. Additionally, wading birds primarily feed on fish.
From this, we can infer that water depth likely affects wading birds' access to food, as the availability of fish may vary depending on the water depth. This suggests that when water levels are low (dry years), there may be less food for the wading birds.
Since reproductive success is often influenced by the availability of food resources, it can be reasonable to infer that water depth likely affects wading birds' access to food, which in turn affects their reproductive success. Therefore, the reasonable inference would be:
Water depth likely affects wading birds' access to food and thus affects wading birds' reproductive success.
So, the correct response is:
Water depth likely affects wading birds' access to food and thus affects wading birds' reproductive success.