Question

23 multiple choice 2 points
in a stable ecosystem, which of the following relationships helps maintain population control?
competition between two invasive species
commensalism between fish and coral
predator - prey interactions between wolves and deer
mutualism between bees and flowers

Explanation:

• Competition between two invasive species: Invasive species can disrupt ecosystems, and competition between them doesn't typically maintain population control in a stable - way as they are not part of the original balanced ecosystem.
• Commensalism between fish and coral: Commensalism is a relationship where one benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed. It doesn't directly control populations in a way that maintains ecosystem stability in terms of population regulation.
• Predator - prey interactions between wolves and deer: In a stable ecosystem, predator - prey relationships act as a natural population control mechanism. When deer (prey) population is high, wolves (predators) have more food and their population can increase, which then reduces the deer population. When deer population is low, wolf population may decrease due to less food, allowing deer population to recover.
• Mutualism between bees and flowers: Mutualism is a win - win relationship (bees get nectar, flowers get pollinated). It is important for ecosystem functions like plant reproduction but not for population control in the sense of regulating population sizes to maintain stability.

Answer:

Predator - prey interactions between wolves and deer.