Question

the irish potato famine lasted from 1845 to 1849. since potatoes are hardy and fairly easy to grow, they had been a main source of food in ireland for more than one hundred years. ireland depended mostly on the lumper potato, a high - yield variety that could be stored for long periods of time. unfortunately, this reliance on only one type of potato led to a lack of genetic diversity in the potato crop. when a disease infested irelands potatoes in 1845, most of the crop was destroyed, resulting in widespread famine. more than one million people died, and another million left the country to avoid starvation. match causes with their effects. a blight destroyed the potato crop. only one type of potato was grown. potatoes were a mainstay of the irish diet. cause potatoes are robust and easy to grow. effect genetic diversity was reduced. famine swept across ireland. submit

Explanation:

• "Potatoes are robust and easy to grow" led to "Potatoes were a mainstay of the Irish diet" as their characteristics made them suitable for such a role.
• "Only one type of potato was grown" caused "Genetic diversity was reduced" because having a single variety limits genetic variation.
• "A blight destroyed the potato crop" resulted in "Famine swept across Ireland" since the main food source was decimated.

Answer:

• Cause: Potatoes are robust and easy to grow. Effect: Potatoes were a mainstay of the Irish diet.
• Cause: Only one type of potato was grown. Effect: Genetic diversity was reduced.
• Cause: A blight destroyed the potato crop. Effect: Famine swept across Ireland.