Which trophic interaction in a community is an indirect interaction?
A) Pocket gophers eat berries.
B) Coyotes eat pocket gophers, causing an increase in berry-producing plants.
C) Coyotes and short-tailed weasels both eat pocket gophers.
D) Coyotes and ravens eat carrion from dead elk.
E) Beavers eat the bark and leaves of aspen and the leaves and twigs of willow.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Coyotes eating pocket gophers indirectly benefits berry-producing plants because it decreases the population of a herbivore that feeds on the plants. This is an example of an indirect trophic interaction. All of the other options are examples of direct trophic interactions.

Which Trophic Interaction in a Community Is an Indirect Interaction