Refer to the figure. The diagram shows the effects of large carnivore declines on other species in their food webs.Blue bars represent direct effects of carnivore declines, and red bars represent indirect effects.The data suggest that species such as deer increased when the carnivore left, and then caused the secondary decline of other species, such as hardwood trees.This means that the large carnivore served as a(n)
A) heterotroph, with a minor role in the ecosystem.
B) ecosystem engineer, which physically modifies the environment.
C) top predator, which maintains a trophic cascade, affecting lower trophic levels.
D) foundation species, which builds habitat for other species.
E) autotroph, which provides food for the rest of the food web.

Question

Refer to the figure.  The diagram shows the effects of large carnivore declines on other species in their food webs.Blue bars represent direct effects of carnivore declines, and red bars represent indirect effects.The data suggest that species such as deer increased when the carnivore left, and then caused the secondary decline of other species, such as hardwood trees.This means that the large carnivore served as a(n)
A) heterotroph, with a minor role in the ecosystem. 
B) ecosystem engineer, which physically modifies the environment. 
C) top predator, which maintains a trophic cascade, affecting lower trophic levels. 
D) foundation species, which builds habitat for other species. 
E) autotroph, which provides food for the rest of the food web.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer of Refer to the figure.  The diagram shows the effects of large carnivore declines on other species in their food webs.Blue bars represent direct effects of carnivore declines, and red bars represent indirect effects.The data suggest that species such as deer increased when the carnivore left, and then caused the secondary decline of other species, such as hardwood trees.This means that the large carnivore served as a(n)
A) heterotroph, with a minor role in the ecosystem. 
B) ecosystem engineer, which physically modifies the environment. 
C) top predator, which maintains a trophic cascade, affecting lower trophic levels. 
D) foundation species, which builds habitat for other species. 
E) autotroph, which provides food for the rest of the food web.

Refer to the Figure