Question 3 • EF Environmental Science 1st Nine Weeks
A botanist observes a large population of a particular type of beetle eating the leaves of one tree but not the leaves of a nearby tree. What should the botanist do first to study the interaction of these organisms in the ecosystem?
Answer
A
Remove the beetle population from the tree, and study them in the lab.
B
Identify the species of the beetle and the species of both trees.
C
Determine why the beetle is eating one tree but not the other.
D
Recommend a treatment that will keep the beetles from eating the trees.
Explanation
First, the botanist should identify the beetle and both tree species. Knowing which organisms are involved provides the basic information needed to study their ecological interaction. Investigating why the beetles eat only one tree or proposing a treatment can come later.
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