Question
In July 2022 the western monarch butterfly became listed as an endangered species. These butterflies migrate thousands of miles to survive the winter.Along the way they act as important pollinators and food for birds in the areas they pass through. How would their extinction impact biodiversity in the areas they migrate through? Biodiversity would increase since less resources are being used by the butterflies. Biodiversity would decrease as plants and predators no longer had access to the butterflies. Biodiversity would remain the same since the butterflies only pass through Biodiversity would change then balance out as new species evolved.
Answer
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(271 Votes)
Graham
Veteran · Tutor for 11 years
Answer
Biodiversity would decrease as plants and predators no longer had access to the butterflies.
Explanation
This question is asking about the potential impact on biodiversity if the western monarch butterfly, which was listed as an endangered species in July 2022, were to go extinct. These butterflies are not just passing through the areas they migrate through, but they play significant roles as pollinators and as a food source for birds. If these butterflies were to go extinct, the plants that rely on them for pollination would suffer, and the birds that rely on them for food would also be affected. This would disrupt the balance of the ecosystem and could lead to a decrease in biodiversity. The option that suggests biodiversity would increase because less resources are being used by the butterflies does not take into account the important roles these butterflies play in the ecosystem. Similarly, the option that suggests biodiversity would remain the same because the butterflies only pass through also fails to recognize the significant impact these butterflies have on the ecosystem. The option that suggests biodiversity would change and then balance out as new species evolved is a possibility, but it's not a guaranteed outcome and it would likely take a very long time for new species to evolve and fill the roles left vacant by the butterflies. Therefore, the most accurate answer is that biodiversity would decrease as plants and predators no longer had access to the butterflies.