Question

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a landowner wants to increase the number of wild turkeys on his property. for wild, free - range animals, this means they typically forage (look for) for their own food and water in the natural environment.
however, the landowner decides to put out 300 pounds of turkey food each week to \help\ them, spreading it evenly across several locations.
this new food source is abundant and easy to find, and he expects it will cause the population, which is currently about 50 turkeys, to double in a few months.
which of the following things are likely to happen as a result of the landowners actions? select all that apply.
□ the landowner will succeed in increasing the population because the new food source will allow the turkeys to increase their clutch sizes (the number of eggs laid by a turkey) and have multiple successful broods (young) per year, regardless of other limiting factors.
□ the large concentration of turkeys at the feeding sites could damage plant life, negatively impacting the local ecosystem.
□ the easy food source will likely attract and support an increased population of predators, which could eventually lead to a decline in the turkey population.
□ the landowners actions will have no significant impact on the turkey population because wild turkeys are accustomed to finding their own food and will not become dependent on a human - provided source.

Explanation:

• Option 1: Clutch size is mainly determined by genetics and species - specific traits, not just food availability. Also, other limiting factors like predators, disease, and space still exist. So, this option is incorrect.
• Option 2: A large number of turkeys in one area (feeding sites) can over - graze or trample plants, which can damage plant life. Since plants are a crucial part of the local ecosystem (providing food, shelter, oxygen, etc.), this can negatively impact the local ecosystem.
• Option 3: An increase in the turkey population (due to more food) can attract more predators. As the predator population grows, if they over - hunt the turkeys (especially if the turkey population growth rate cannot keep up with the predation rate), it can lead to a decline in the turkey population.
• Option 4: The problem states that the landowner expects the population to double. If turkeys were completely unaffected by the human - provided food, there would be no expected population increase. So, this option is incorrect.

Answer:

B. The large concentration of turkeys at the feeding sites could damage plant life, negatively impacting the local ecosystem; C. The easy food source will likely attract and support an increased population of predators, which could eventually lead to a decline in the turkey population.