Question

according to the model above, which of the following scenarios below would result in the yellowstone national park remaining relatively stable?
a new non - native predator species, tigers, are introduced to the park to control growing elk populations.
a wildfire that removes half of all aspen trees in the park.
an ad campaign that encourages humans to limit their interactions with the organisms within the ecosystem.
introduction of bacterial disease that infects both bison and elk.

Explanation:

• Option A: Introducing a new non - native predator (tigers) can disrupt the existing predator - prey relationships. Non - native species can have unpredictable impacts on the ecosystem, such as over - predation or competition with native predators (like gray wolves in this case).
• Option B: Removing half of the aspen trees (a food source) will directly affect the herbivores (elk, moose) that rely on them. This can lead to a chain reaction of population changes among herbivores and their predators.
• Option C: Limiting human interactions is beneficial. Human activities like hunting, habitat destruction, or introduction of invasive species (either intentionally or accidentally) are major disruptors of ecosystems. By reducing human interference, the natural balance of predator - prey relationships (gray wolf - elk, gray wolf - deer etc.) and herbivore - plant relationships (elk - aspen, moose - aspen etc.) is more likely to be maintained.
• Option D: Introducing a bacterial disease that infects bison and elk (both primary consumers) will reduce their populations. This will affect the predators (gray wolves) that rely on them for food, potentially leading to a decline in predator populations as well.

Answer:

C. An ad campaign that encourages humans to limit their interactions with the organisms within the ecosystem.