Susan Russell

Biology

30 September, 21:16

A temperate deciduous forest is dominated by oak trees, which produce acorns. Populations of deer, black bear, and squirrels all rely on the acorns as a primary source of food. A large portion of the forest is cut down, causing it to lose most of its oak trees. What is most likely to happen in the forest as a result?

A.

Black bears, deer, and squirrels would undergo a mass extinction, so the forest's biodiversity would decrease.

B.

Deer would become less likely to survive and reproduce, so their population would decline.

C.

Squirrels would instantly adapt to the lack of acorns, so their population would remain stable.

D.

Black bears would benefit from the space made available by the loss of trees, so their population would increase.