Which of the following scenarios is (are) likely to lead to creation of a metapopulation? The type of organism is listed first, followed by the change to its habitat.
1) Forest bird species; Large sections of a forest are cleared to construct residential subdivisions
2) Grassland small mammal species; Large areas of grassland are cleared and plowed for agriculture
3) River fish species; An industrial chemical spill causes a massive fish kill on the river
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 1 and 2
E) All of the scenarios are likely to lead to a metapopulation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

1) Forest bird species: Large sections of forest being cleared for residential subdivisions will lead to fragmentation of the original population into smaller, isolated subpopulations. These subpopulations may be connected by corridors and patches of forest, creating a metapopulation.
2) Grassland small mammal species: Large areas of grassland being cleared and plowed for agriculture will also lead to fragmentation of the original population into smaller, isolated subpopulations. These subpopulations may be connected by patches of remaining grassland or other suitable habitats, creating a metapopulation.
3) River fish species: While a chemical spill may result in a temporary reduction in population size, it is less likely to result in the formation of a metapopulation. A metapopulation is defined as a population of subpopulations that are separated by areas of unsuitable habitat. A chemical spill may reduce the population size, but is less likely to result in permanent fragmentation of the habitat.

Which of the Following Scenarios Is (Are) Likely to Lead