Charles Darwin observed the following interactions among plants and animals in his region of England: Bees pollinate flowers and make seed production possible.Field mice prey on bee combs and nests.Cats eat field mice.From these observations, he concluded that cats could control the populations of certain flowers.On what did he base this conclusion?
A) A direct and obvious interaction of cats and flowers
B) A direct and invisible interaction of cats and flowers
C) An indirect action leading from cats through mice back to bees and then flowers
D) An indirect and obvious action leading from cats to bees to flowers
E) An indirect and invisible action leading from cats to bees to flowers

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Darwin observed an indirect interaction between cats and flowers through mice and bees. The cats, through predation on field mice, could indirectly impact the population of bees, which in turn could affect the pollination and seed production of certain flowers. This is an example of how complex ecological interactions can have ripple effects throughout an ecosystem.

Charles Darwin Observed the Following Interactions Among Plants and Animals