Considering food webs in the Konza Prairie of Kansas, an ecologist predicted that in food webs with odd numbers of levels (three or five, for example), grazers would be limited by predators, and plants would thrive (that is, there would be high levels of primary production).Conversely, for food webs with even numbers (two or four, for example), he predicted that grazers would be limited by food, and the landscape would have less plant abundance.If this is correct, the highest NPP would likely be found in a food web having how many levels?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the ecologist's prediction, food webs with odd numbers of levels (like three or five) will have high levels of primary production, while food webs with even numbers of levels (like two or four) will have less plant abundance. Therefore, the food web with the highest NPP is likely to have an odd number of levels, either three or five. Therefore, the best choice is either "B) Three only" or "E) Three or five."

Considering Food Webs in the Konza Prairie of Kansas, an Ecologist