Question

Consider a habitat with prairie dogs, bison, and red-tailed hawks. Another
species of hawk that eats prairie dogs, the ferruginous hawk, migrates into
the area. What effect will this change most likely have on the prairie dog and
red-tailed hawk populations?
O A. The prairie dog population will decrease, the red-tailed hawk
population will stay the same, and the bison population will
increase.
B. The prairie dog population will decrease, the red-tailed hawk
population will decrease, and the bison population will increase.
C. The prairie dog population will decrease, the red-tailed hawk
population will stay the same, and the bison population will stay
the same
O D. The prairie dog population will decrease, the red-tailed hawk
population will decrease, and the bison population will stay the
same.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. The prairie dog population will decrease, the red-tailed hawk population will decrease, and the bison population will increase.

Explanation:

I'm not given context; however, I am assuming that the prairie dog preys on the bison because the bison is commonly known as a herbivore.

If another predator who preys on the prairie dog is introduced, there is increased competition with the red-tailed hawks. Although this doesn't directly impact the population of red-tailed hawks, it reduces its food supply (of the prairie dog) because it is being shared, so it will have less food to grow at the optimal level.

With the increased consumption of the prairie dog, naturally, that would leave its prey; the bison, to have a lower level of predation, thereby the population increasing.