Question

review the chart, which shows the population sizes of three african animals in 1990 and in 2000.which explanation is best supported by the numbers in the chart?lion and cheetah populations compete for the food source of zebras, and lions outcompete cheetahs.the dwindling zebra population has led to the decline of the predator lion and cheetah populations.overhunting of lion and cheetah populations has led to a decline in the food source population.lion and cheetah populations compete for the food source of zebras, and cheetahs outcompete lions.

Explanation:

• Option 1: There is no data in the chart to show that lions out - compete cheetahs for zebras.
• Option 2: Zebras are prey. A decline in zebra population (from 750,000 in 1990 to 450,000 in 2000) would mean less food for predators (lions and cheetahs). Lions went from 100,000 to 47,000 and cheetahs from 25,000 to 7,500. This shows a relationship where a decline in prey (zebras) can lead to a decline in predators (lions and cheetahs).
• Option 3: The chart shows predator (lion and cheetah) populations declining and prey (zebra) population also declining. There is no indication that overhunting of predators led to a decline in prey.
• Option 4: There is no data in the chart to show that cheetahs out - compete lions for zebras.

Answer:

The dwindling zebra population has led to the decline of the predator lion and cheetah populations.