Biology Regents Practice Exam

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What impact does the decrease of monarch butterfly populations have on ecosystems?

Increased biodiversity
Disruption of food chains
Better habitat conditions
Improvement of plant reproduction

The correct answer is: Disruption of food chains

The decrease of monarch butterfly populations has significant implications for ecosystems, particularly in terms of disrupting food chains. Monarchs play a vital role in their ecosystems as pollinators and as prey for various predators. Their larvae primarily feed on milkweed plants, which are specific to their lifecycle. When monarch populations decline, not only does it affect the survival of the adults and their respective predators, but it can also lead to a decrease in the availability of food for other species that rely on them as a food source. In addition, as pollinators, monarchs contribute to the reproduction of many flowering plants. A reduction in their population can result in lower pollination rates, which ultimately affects the plants that depend on them and the animals that rely on those plants for food. This disruption can ripple through the entire ecosystem, impacting species diversity and the stability of the food web. Therefore, the answer regarding the disruption of food chains accurately reflects the ecological consequences of declining monarch butterfly populations.