a. What is the change in the cactus' environment that occurred? b. Is there unequal reproductive success being shown in the picture? Why or how? Is one cactus better suited for its environment than the other? Why? d. Is natural selection occurring in this image? Why or why not? C.

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**Ecological Study of Cactus Population Changes**

**Instructions:**
Use the diagram below to answer the following questions regarding this population of cacti. Pay close attention to the details of the picture.

**Image Description:**
The diagram consists of four parts, labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4, each depicting a different stage in a cactus population's environment. The diagrams show different cacti in a desert landscape with hills and vegetation.

**Diagram Analysis:**

1. **Diagram 1:**
   - Three cacti are shown in the landscape.
   - A herbivore, possibly a rabbit, is visible near the cacti.
   
2. **Diagram 2:**
   - The same three cacti are present, but it can be observed that the middle cactus appears to be partially eaten.
   - The herbivore is in closer proximity to the middle cactus.
   
3. **Diagram 3:**
   - The cactus in the center is now greatly reduced in size, as a significant portion of it has been consumed.
   - The other two cacti remain largely unaffected.
   
4. **Diagram 4:**
   - The middle cactus is almost entirely gone, while the other two cacti appear to be thriving.
   - New smaller cacti are emerging near one of the surviving cacti.

**Questions:**

a. **What is the change in the cacti's environment that occurred?**
   - The primary change in the environment is the interaction with a herbivore that feeds on one of the cacti.

b. **Is there unequal reproductive success being shown in the picture? Why or how?**
   - Yes, the cacti that were not consumed by the herbivore appear to have a higher reproductive success, as seen by the new growth near one of the surviving cacti.

c. **Is one cactus better suited for its environment than the other? Why?**
   - Yes, it appears that the cacti which were not targeted by the herbivore are better suited for the environment. This might be due to less appealing characteristics or better defenses.

d. **Is natural selection occurring in this image? Why or why not?**
   - Yes, natural selection seems to be occurring. The herbivore selectively feeding on one cactus over the others indicates that there are variations in traits that influence survival and reproductive success. The cacti that are not being eaten survive and reproduce more effectively.

This diagram and accompanying analysis
Transcribed Image Text:**Ecological Study of Cactus Population Changes** **Instructions:** Use the diagram below to answer the following questions regarding this population of cacti. Pay close attention to the details of the picture. **Image Description:** The diagram consists of four parts, labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4, each depicting a different stage in a cactus population's environment. The diagrams show different cacti in a desert landscape with hills and vegetation. **Diagram Analysis:** 1. **Diagram 1:** - Three cacti are shown in the landscape. - A herbivore, possibly a rabbit, is visible near the cacti. 2. **Diagram 2:** - The same three cacti are present, but it can be observed that the middle cactus appears to be partially eaten. - The herbivore is in closer proximity to the middle cactus. 3. **Diagram 3:** - The cactus in the center is now greatly reduced in size, as a significant portion of it has been consumed. - The other two cacti remain largely unaffected. 4. **Diagram 4:** - The middle cactus is almost entirely gone, while the other two cacti appear to be thriving. - New smaller cacti are emerging near one of the surviving cacti. **Questions:** a. **What is the change in the cacti's environment that occurred?** - The primary change in the environment is the interaction with a herbivore that feeds on one of the cacti. b. **Is there unequal reproductive success being shown in the picture? Why or how?** - Yes, the cacti that were not consumed by the herbivore appear to have a higher reproductive success, as seen by the new growth near one of the surviving cacti. c. **Is one cactus better suited for its environment than the other? Why?** - Yes, it appears that the cacti which were not targeted by the herbivore are better suited for the environment. This might be due to less appealing characteristics or better defenses. d. **Is natural selection occurring in this image? Why or why not?** - Yes, natural selection seems to be occurring. The herbivore selectively feeding on one cactus over the others indicates that there are variations in traits that influence survival and reproductive success. The cacti that are not being eaten survive and reproduce more effectively. This diagram and accompanying analysis
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