Question

figure 1. deer effect on plant coverage

according to the evidence in figure 1, what effect does the deer population have on plant life?

a the deer increase the diversity of plant life because of their preference for non - native plants.

b the deer promote native plant species by removing competition from non - native plants.

c the deer reduce the diversity of plant life because of their preference for native plants.

d the deer increase the plant cover by removing competition from invasive species.

Explanation:

Looking at the first graph (Total plant Coverage), when deer are present, the native plant coverage (hatched bar) is lower (around 15%) compared to when deer are absent (around 25%). The non - native plant coverage (solid bar) is higher when deer are present (around 35%) than when deer are absent (around 45%). In the second graph (Proportion of Non - native Plant Coverage), non - native plant coverage is higher when deer are present (around 35%) than when deer are absent (around 25%). This indicates that deer are likely preferentially eating native plants (since native plant coverage is lower when deer are present), which reduces the diversity of plant life (as native plants are a part of the plant diversity).

Answer:

C. The deer reduce the diversity of plant life because of their preference for native plants.