Question

which quotation from the article provides an example of the cascading effect humans can have on ecosystems?
a. \although pumas consistently travel and kill prey relatively close to human developments, they make their dens and communicate with each other through scent marking in areas far from zones that humans have altered.\ (paragraph 7)

b. \in many types of ecosystems, researchers have observed that animals will avoid feeding opportunities when they fear a predator.\ (paragraph 8)

c. \pumas that are afraid of humans but still hunt in residential areas alter their relationship with deer, their primary prey. greater preying on deer could possibly provide more food for scavengers\ (paragraph 10)

d. \by considering how humans impact the behavior of important species, we can develop conservation solutions\

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

• Option A describes pumas' behavior in relation to human - altered areas but does not show a cascading effect on the ecosystem.
• Option B is about animals avoiding feeding due to predator fear, not related to human - caused cascading effects.
• Option C shows a chain of effects: human presence affects pumas' hunting behavior, which in turn affects deer populations, and then affects scavengers. This is a cascading effect on the ecosystem.
• Option D is about developing conservation solutions, not an example of a cascading effect.

Answer:

C. "Pumas that are afraid of humans but still hunt in residential areas alter their relationship with deer, their primary prey. Greater preying on deer could possibly provide more food for scavengers" (Paragraph 10)