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?

First, the botanist should identify the beetle and both tree species. Knowing which organisms are involved provides the basic information needed to study their interaction. After that, the botanist can investigate why the beetles feed on one tree but not the other; removing them or recommending treatment would come later, if needed.

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