Question

invasive species

• ____ with few enemies
• ____
• ____ island specialists
• major ____ disruptions
• new predators/diseases/competition
• natives have little to no ____ → rapid declines/extinctions.
• __, __ islands most vulnerable to collapse

mainland

• ____ immigration
• lowest biodiversity & richness
• ____ ecosystems

→ higher extinction rate

• ____ immigration
• highest biodiversity & richness
• more resistant & resilient to disturbances
• extinction rate ____

Explanation:

The problem is about invasive species and island biodiversity, which falls under Biology (a subfield of Natural Science). For the first blank (invasive species' trait), "Flourish" fits as invasive species thrive with few enemies. For native species' defense, "defenses" makes sense (they have little to no defenses against new threats). For vulnerable islands, "Small & Far" islands are most vulnerable (lower immigration, lower biodiversity, higher extinction). For the extinction rate in the lower - biodiversity ecosystem, it's "higher" (matches the text "higher extinction rate"). For the extinction rate in the high - biodiversity ecosystem, it's "lower" (as more diverse ecosystems are more resilient, so lower extinction rate).

Answer:

• First blank (invasive species): Flourish
• Native species blank: defenses
• Vulnerable islands: Small & Far
• Lower biodiversity ecosystem extinction rate: higher
• High biodiversity ecosystem extinction rate: lower