Question

a meadow ecosystem includes many species of grasses and small shrubs, several herbivores, and a few carnivores. a fungus colonizes the meadow and kills most of its vegetation. what is most likely to happen to the populations of herbivores and carnivores in the ecosystem?
a. the populations of herbivores will decrease because of vegetation loss, but the population of carnivores will remain stable.
b. the populations of herbivores and carnivores will increase because there will be less competition for chemical energy.
c. the populations of herbivores and carnivores will remain stable because the fungus cannot infect these organisms.
d. the populations of herbivores and carnivores will decline because less chemical energy will be stored in the ecosystem.
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Explanation:

In a meadow ecosystem, producers (vegetation) are the base of the food chain. If a fungus kills most vegetation, the herbivores (who eat plants) will have less food, so their population declines. Carnivores, who eat herbivores, will then have less food too, so their population also declines. Option A is wrong because carnivores won't remain stable without enough herbivores. Option B is wrong as less vegetation means less energy, not more, so populations can't increase. Option C is wrong as the loss of vegetation disrupts the food chain, so populations can't stay stable. Option D correctly explains that with less vegetation (less chemical energy stored as food), both herbivores and carnivores decline.

Answer:

D. The populations of herbivores and carnivores will decline because less chemical energy will be stored in the ecosystem.