Several woodpecker families inhabited dead trees, or snags, in a large backyard.They fed on many kinds of insects in the homeowner's garden.In an effort to "clean up" the backyard, the owner removed the snags.Having lost their nesting sites, the woodpecker families moved to a nearby woodland community, where they both nested and fed.There was a sudden, large boom in insect populations feeding on the garden plants.Based on this information, what is the best description of the interaction, and its strength, between the interactor species (woodpeckers) and the target species (insects)?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The woodpeckers and insects were engaged in a strong negative interaction, where the woodpeckers were controlling the insect population by feeding on them. However, the removal of snags (woodpecker nesting sites) led to the woodpeckers moving away, causing a sudden boom in insect populations.

Several Woodpecker Families Inhabited Dead Trees, or Snags, in a Large