Question

warm - up (pg. 61)
a disease reduces the mouse population. how does this affect the kite? the lion? the goat?

Explanation:

In an ecosystem, when one population (like mice) is affected, it has a ripple - effect. Kites may rely on mice as a food source. With fewer mice, kites may have less food. Lions may not directly rely on mice (depending on the food - web details in the image, but if there's no direct link), so their population may not be affected much. Goats are likely primary consumers (eating plants) and not directly linked to mice in a predator - prey way, so their population may not be affected.

Answer:

The kite may have less food (so its population could potentially decrease if mice are a major food source). The lion is likely not affected (assuming no direct food - web link to mice). The goat is likely not affected (as it is probably a primary consumer not linked to mice in a predator - prey relationship).